Federal data, no marketing spin COLLEGES 50 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD
CAMPUS · CHAPEL HILL, NC · PUBLIC

University of North Carolina Acceptance Rate

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
18.7%
ACCEPT
Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For University of North Carolina, the gap is real: a $26,055 published sticker, but families actually pay about $11,054/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.
51
FIT
MATCH
University of North Carolina is a match for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
18.7%
of 57,902 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$72,200
across all majors
01

University of North Carolina at a Glance

34,089
Total Enrollment
$14,000
Median Debt
20.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for University of North Carolina

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading680750715
SAT Math690780735
SAT Total137015301450
ACT Composite303432

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received57,902
Students Admitted10,850
Students Enrolled4,699
Yield Rate43.3%

University of North Carolina Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #24 2025
QS World University Rankings #92 2025
THE World University Rankings #52 2025
US News Best Public Universities #4 2025
Show 10-Year US News Ranking History
US News National Universities
2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
#30 #30 #30 #30 #29 #28 #28 #29 #22 #24

US News National Universities: #30 (2016) → #24 (2025) ↑ 6 spots

University of North Carolina Admissions Overview

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public university in Chapel Hill, NC with 34,089 students. Its 18.7% acceptance rate places it among America's most selective universities. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Multidisciplinary.

Full NameUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
LocationChapel Hill, NC 27599
TypePublic
Websiteunc.edu/
Total Enrollment34,089
Undergrad Enrollment21,214
Female Students59.8%

Is University of North Carolina a Reach, Match, or Safety?

University of North Carolina accepts 18.7% of applicants, making it highly selective. Students with above-average GPAs and solid test scores (where applicable) are in Match territory. Below the median, consider it a Reach.

Your ProfileUniversity of North Carolina Is...What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application Match Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths Reach Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA Hard Reach Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

University of North Carolina True Cost by Family Income

20% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UNC enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $2,004 $8,016
$30-48k $3,918 $15,672
$48-75k $8,538 $34,152
$75-110k $16,415 $65,660
$110k+ $24,396 $97,584

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$13,016
Total Cost of Attendance$26,055

Want to see how University of North Carolina stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at University of North Carolina

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences
15.5%
Biological Sciences
11.5%
Multidisciplinary
9.3%
Communication
8.1%
Computer Science
7.8%
Best Majors at University of North Carolina →

{sn} Student Demographics

White
54.7%
Black/African American
8.8%
Hispanic/Latino
9.6%
Asian
13.7%
International
5.3%

How to Get Into University of North Carolina

UNC is selective, but your odds are real if you meet the academic profile. Target a 1420+ SAT to be competitive. Strong essays and demonstrated interest can tip the scale at schools in this selectivity range.

1450
Target SAT Score
32
Target ACT Score
18.7%
Acceptance Rate
57,902
Total Applicants

What University of North Carolina Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Considered
Standardized Test Scores Considered
Application Essay Very Important
Recommendation Important
Extracurricular Activities Important
Talent Ability Important
Character Personal Qualities Very Important
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at University of North Carolina by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

University of North Carolina Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the University of North Carolina EA admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Early ActionOct 15
Regular DecisionJan 15
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Mar 1
Early Action: University of North Carolina offers non-binding Early Action. Apply early for an earlier decision without committing — you can still compare offers.

See University of North Carolina alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

20.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$14,000
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$57,057
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About University of North Carolina

What is UNC's acceptance rate?
UNC has an acceptance rate of 18.7%, making it highly selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for UNC?
The middle 50% SAT range at UNC is 1370-1530. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 30-34. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at UNC?
The most popular majors at UNC by degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (15.5%), Biological Sciences (11.5%), Multidisciplinary (9.3%), Communication (8.1%), Computer Science (7.8%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
Can I transfer to UNC?
UNC accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.
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Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. University of North Carolina is not affiliated with NextColleges.