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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · City · 20,752 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Oct 15 · Early Action · in 13 days
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.unc.edu
$11,655
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
92%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$72,200
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
15%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
About

As the nation’s oldest public university, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a premier “Public Ivy” renowned for its high-impact research, strong commitment to affordability, and dedication to public service. Academically, UNC shines through top-ranked offerings such as the Gillings School of Global Public Health, the Kenan-Flagler Business School, the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, and highly regarded biology and pre-health pathways. Campus life is steeped in deep-rooted traditions and electric school spirit, where intense pride for Tar Heel athletics meets a bustling student culture centered along historic Franklin Street. Anchored by landmarks like the Old Well, the university offers a quintessentially collegiate, collaborative environment driven by civic engagement and academic excellence.

Wikipedia:The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1789, the university began enrolling students in 1795, making it one of the oldest public universities in the United States.

Location
Chapel Hill, NC, 27599 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
RDU · Raleigh-Durham
15 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$8,994$41,203
Housing & food (on campus)$13,804$13,804
Books & supplies$1,290$1,290
Cost of attendance$26,055$70,264
Average net price$11,655Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$41,203
In-state: $8,994
Housing & food (on campus)$13,804
Books & supplies$1,290
Cost of attendance$70,264
In-state: $26,055
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $11,655
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: studentaid.unc.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$47,472
Fees$2,130
Housing$9,168
Food$6,702
Books & supplies$638
Personal expenses$2,048
Transportation$2,050
Total published by the school$70,264
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$2,004
$30–48k
$3,918
$48–75k
$8,538
$75–110k
$16,415
$110k+
$24,396
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$7,233
Share of first-years who get one6%
Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
92%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
84%
Back for yr 2
97%
Transferred
5%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
92% graduated · 6% transferred · 2% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$57,057
10 yrs after entry$72,200
Debt
Median at graduation$14,000
Monthly payment$148
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$22k
90th percentile$27,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
15%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1439
R 690–750 · M 700–780
ACT midpoint
25
Comp 28–34 · E 27–35 · M 26–33
SAT middle 50%: 1390–1530
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Action
Oct 15 2026
in 13 days
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Checked Sep 2026 · admissions.unc.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts

If University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 39%Women 61%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
15 : 1
Pell grant
20%
First-gen
20%
Family income
$58,193
Independent
8%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
3%
Race & ethnicity
White
53%
Hispanic
10%
Black
7%
Asian
16%
Two or more
5%
Non-resident
6%
Unknown
3%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Fencing
    Men's · Women's
  • Field Hockey
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Gymnastics
    Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Men's · Women's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$57,057
After 10 yrs
$72,200
Biology, General544
Communication and Media Studies521
Behavioral Sciences503
Economics443
Computer Science427
Business Administration, Management and Operations401
Political Science and Government369
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness365
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing199
Applied Mathematics193
English Language and Literature, General164
Public Policy Analysis157
Neurobiology and Neurosciences155
Mathematics152
Biomedical/Medical Engineering149
Area Studies146
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$5.7B
Full-time faculty
78%
Faculty salary
$15,046/mo
Teaching spend
$33,767
per student
Federal loans
13%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$1.6B research spending · 524 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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