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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Admit Rate
15%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Highly Selective
Cost of Attendance
$26,055
$58,264 out-of-state
Test Policy
SAT/ACT optional‡ (source: UNC admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Oct 7, 2026)

Optional only at a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above. Below that, an ACT score of 17 or an SAT score of 930 is required - a UNC System Board of Governors rule effective from 2026-27. The label is true for most applicants; anyone below a 2.8 must read this condition.

Data sourced from CDS, Institutional Website, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.

Preparation

Helpful high school preparation
4 years English4 years math3+ years lab science2+ years social studies/history2+ years same foreign language recommended

This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.

Admissions

How admission works here

Where you apply
The Common App. Common App requirements grid
Test scores
Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional. Optional only at a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above. Below that, an ACT score of 17 or an SAT score of 930 is required - a UNC System Board of Governors rule effective from 2026-27. The label is true for most applicants; anyone below a 2.8 must read this condition. UNC admissions
Essays
The Common App personal essay is required. Common App requirements grid
Recommendations
1 teacher recommendation, a mid-year report. Common App requirements grid
Application fee
$85. The Common App fee waiver is accepted. Common App requirements grid
Deadlines
Early Action October 15, Regular Decision January 15. Common App requirements grid
Overall
15%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
In-State
38%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
Out-of-State
7%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Overall is College Scorecard's verified figure and won't necessarily sit between the separately-reported In-State/Out-of-State rates shown here, which are what My Fit uses to classify your chances.

Mid-50% SAT
1400-1530
SAT/ACT optional
Top 10 majors
  1. 1Biology
  2. 2Behavioral Sciences
  3. 3Computer Science
  4. 4Political Science
  5. 5Business Administration
  6. 6Kinesiology and Physical Education
  7. 7Economics
  8. 8Media Studies
  9. 9Nursing
  10. 10Applied Mathematics

Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill may call a major something slightly different.

Applying

Application Deadlines† (source: Common App requirements grid · 2026-27)
Early Action
October 15 · Non-binding
Regular Decision
January 15 · Non-binding

Applying through the Common App

Application fee
$85
Common App fee waiver
Accepted
Common App personal essay
Required
Recommendations
1 teacher recommendation, mid-year report

Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.

Essay details are being verified

College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.

View official application requirements

Music & Sports Tracks

Music

Sports

NCAA Division I (FBS)
Varsity sports (16)
BaseballBasketballFencingField hockeyFootballGolfGymnasticsLacrosseRowingSoccerSoftballSwimming and divingTennisTrack and field and cross countryVolleyballWrestling
U.S. Department of Education, Equity in Athletics data (2024-25)
How music and sports fit into an application

Academics

Flagship Programs

Kenan-Flagler Business SchoolSchool of Media and JournalismPublic Health (Gillings School)

Career & Major Pathways

Primary Disciplines
BusinessPublic HealthBiological SciencesJournalism/MediaSocial Sciences
Interdisciplinary Pathways
PPE-style Public Policy tracksData Science across disciplinesGlobal Studies

Cost

In-state cost of attendance
$26,055* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
Out-of-state cost of attendance
$58,264* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.

Tuition only (part of the cost above)
In-state $8,994* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Out-of-state $41,203* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Financial Aid

What families actually paid, by household income

Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.

Under $30,000
$2,004
$30,001 – $48,000
$3,918
$48,001 – $75,000
$8,538
$75,001 – $110,000
$16,415
Over $110,000
$24,396

College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.public.by_income_level.*), 2024

Estimate what your family would pay

Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.

Scholarships and merit aid

UNC's Common Data Set confirms institutional scholarship/grant aid is not available to nonresident undergraduates, so out-of-state families should plan around full-freight cost or the Morehead-Cain/Robertson scholar competitions rather than counting on university merit aid; the need-based Carolina Covenant is open to qualifying low-income students regardless of residency.

Merit scholarships only University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gives

You apply for these separately, often before the regular admission deadline. Miss the date and you can still be admitted, but you won't be considered.

Robertson Scholars Leadership Program

Full ride
Its own deadline: Nov 15
  • Eight semesters of full tuition, room and board and most fees, plus funding for up to three summers.Robertson FAQs
  • It's a separate application, due Nov 15, on top of your UNC application. Students of any citizenship can apply.Robertson: high school students
  • If you apply only to UNC, you're only considered at UNC. Apply to Duke too to be considered at both.Robertson FAQs

Campus

Campus Fit

Location
Chapel Hill, North Carolina· Small City
Undergraduates
21,075
Setting
Small City
In a fraternity or sorority
9.5% of students
Living on campus
43% of students

*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024

†Common App requirements grid · 2026-27

‡UNC admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Oct 7, 2026

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