Chapel Hill, NC · Public · 20,752 undergraduates · urban
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Highly selective
UNC–Chapel Hill is the country’s oldest public university and a flagship known for journalism, public health, business, medicine, and basketball. Chapel Hill gives a large university a recognizable college-town center. North Carolina residency sharply changes the admissions context, while limited entry to some majors means admission to UNC is not always the final academic gate.
Institutional profile
Top tier Exceptional in affordability, and strong in academic standing.- Admission
- 18.7% admitted
- Price by income
- Resident and nonresident prices differ
- Completion
- 91.2%
57,902 applicants in the reported year
Compare recent average annual costs by household income
$72,200 median earnings 10 years after enrollment
What sets UNC–Chapel Hill apart
Public-university value is strongest in state
North Carolina residency changes both price and admissions context.
The Research Triangle extends the campus
Universities, health systems, laboratories, government, and companies create wide professional access.
Some programs require another decision
Capacity-limited majors can introduce a later application after university admission.
The Carolina route
A flagship connected to one college town and a whole research region
UNC combines a traditional campus center with opportunities spread across the Triangle.
Build the Chapel Hill base
Courses, housing, clubs, and traditions create the undergraduate center.
Enter the intended field
Prerequisites and separate applications may shape the academic route.
Use the Triangle
Research, health, government, and employers extend work beyond town.
Can I get in?
18.7% admitted
UNC evaluates applicants in residency and school context through the Common Application. The academic record and writing should show both preparation and public-minded contribution.
Recent applicant pool
57,902About 19 in every 100 applicants were admitted.
Academic range
Of admitted students, 29% submitted an SAT, and 34% submitted an ACT. Use your score when it adds strength to the application; withhold it when it does not.
Admission by residency
First-year results by applicant group
First-year applicants · Fall 2024
In the season card
Where your GPA sits in the entering class
The full entering-class GPA distribution for UNC–Chapel Hill, in nine bands from 4.0 down, with your own record marked on it.
See where I landIn the season card
What UNC–Chapel Hill weighs when it reads a file
See how this college describes the role of grades, testing, essays, recommendations, activities, and demonstrated interest.
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Test scores
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Extracurriculars
- Demonstrated interest
What moves the application
The evidence that separates a strong file
Use the correct residency context
In-state and nonresident admission are materially different comparisons.
Show contribution with evidence
Connect leadership or service to a result for other people.
Understand the intended major path
Check whether the program requires a later application or additional selection.
Make Chapel Hill and the Triangle useful
Identify a setting that supports work already begun.
How to apply
Rounds, route, and required materials
UNC offers Early Action and Regular Decision. Applicants should distinguish admission to the university from later or separate entry into capacity-limited programs.
Fee waiver: accepted
Major and program admission
Some fields have their own entry path.
The college admit rate above covers the university as a whole. These requirements apply only to the named program.
BusinessAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Computer scienceAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Teacher preparationAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
EngineeringAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Health professionsAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
NursingAdmits separately
What this program asks for, and when it closes.
Can I afford it?
Compare annual cost by household income.
In-state tuition is a major advantage. Nonresident families should compare aid and total cost carefully rather than rely on UNC’s public label.
College funding
Scholarships and financial aid
Review available aid, application requirements, and renewal terms.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill publishes three merit awards, the largest reaching full tuition or more. one require a separate scholarship application. two renew past the first year.
Open across the university · Merit · Competitive
Open across the university · Merit · Renews
For a named field · Merit · Competitive · Renews · Has a dated deadline
Creative WritingIn the season card
These three awards, by name
What each one is called, what it pays, what it asks of you, and the date one of them closes - which is usually earlier than the application for admission.
- The name of each award
- What it pays
- The grades and scores it asks for
- The deadline
- What to send, and where
In the season card
Average annual cost by household income at UNC–Chapel Hill
Compare recent average net prices across five federal income ranges and estimate a 4-year cost for yours.
- $0–30k
- $30–48k
- $48–75k
- $75–110k
- $110k+
Is it worth it?
Completion, debt, and earnings
Health, business, media, technology, education, government, research, and graduate study benefit from the Research Triangle and a strong regional network.
Degree completion across the reported entering cohort
First-year students who return for year two
And what that comes to against what they earn.
Reported 10 years after enrollment
Academic portfolio
Largest bachelor’s fields
How many students finish in each field, and median earnings four years after completing the program.
Biology, General
Communication and Media Studies
Admits separately
Behavioral Sciences
Economics
Computer Science
Admits separately
What is campus life like?
UNC–Chapel Hill beyond the classroom
Franklin Street, athletics, residence halls, Greek life, clubs, and long-standing traditions create an energetic college-town experience.
First-year housing creates an early network
Residence communities place new students near dining, advising, and campus traditions.
Franklin Street expands the campus routine
Dining halls handle the week while restaurants and gathering places sit directly beside campus.
Public service and media are highly visible
Publications, service, health, business, research, arts, cultural groups, and athletics recruit widely.
Basketball shapes the shared calendar
Games, Greek groups, clubs, teams, concerts, and Franklin Street create both common events and smaller circles.
The Triangle broadens professional access
Research, health systems, government, companies, and nearby universities support term-time work.