#158 in the world · QS 2027

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

America's first public university, a top-five public for 25 straight years and the best value for in-state students.

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States Public research university Founded 1789 Official website

See my chances at UNC-Chapel Hill Admissions office

Acceptance rate: 17%; First-years who entered in fall 2025 (2025-26 Common Data Set)
Students: 34,099; 22,007 undergraduates
Student–faculty: 14:1; ratio
Tuition: $49,602; 2026-27
Founded: 1789

About UNC-Chapel Hill

UNC-Chapel Hill was chartered in 1789 and opened its doors to students in 1795, making it the first public university in the United States and the only one to award degrees in the 18th century. It has 22,007 undergraduates and 12,092 graduate and professional students, and its schools include the College of Arts and Sciences, Kenan-Flagler Business School, the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, and the Gillings School of Global Public Health, alongside medicine, nursing, pharmacy and dentistry.

Carolina is a major research university: it counts two Nobel laureates on its faculty, Aziz Sancar (Chemistry, 2015) and the late Oliver Smithies (Medicine, 2007), and ranks 40th in the world in ARWU 2026. It is also one corner of North Carolina's Research Triangle, with Duke and NC State. U.S. News ranks its undergraduate business program tied No. 6 and its nursing BSN tied No. 6 nationally.

Admission strongly favors North Carolina residents: 37% of in-state applicants were admitted for fall 2025, compared with under 10% from other states. It suits students who want a traditional, spirited campus in a college town, strong liberal arts and professional schools, and big-time ACC athletics.

Lux libertas

“Light and liberty” — university motto

Why students choose UNC-Chapel Hill

U.S. News 2027 ranks Carolina the No. 1 Best Value for In-State Students and a top-five public for the 25th straight year.

North Carolina residents pay $9,360 in tuition and fees for 2026-27, and the Carolina Covenant lets eligible low-income students graduate debt-free.

Undergraduate business (Kenan-Flagler) and the BSN in nursing are both tied No. 6 nationally in U.S. News 2027.

More than 550 student organizations and ACC athletics give the campus a strong sense of community.

Admissions

First-years who entered in fall 2025 (2025-26 Common Data Set)

About 1 in 6 applicants is admitted

12,751 admitted from 76,247 applicants

SAT 1400–1530

1000120014001600

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

ACT 29–34

2024283236

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

Residency matters a lot: 37% of North Carolina applicants were admitted (6,605 of 17,846), compared with 9.6% of out-of-state (4,685 of 48,645) and 15% of international applicants (1,461 of 9,756).

Testing Test-optional for applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above (on a 4.0 scale); below 2.8, an ACT of 17+ or SAT of 930+ is required under UNC System rules. Self-reported scores are superscored.

Grades Average weighted high school GPA of enrolled first-years was 4.47 (CDS). UNC says most successful applicants have very strong grades in core academic courses and well above a B+ average.

Deadlines

Early Action Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days

October 15, 2026

Non-binding. Decisions by December 20 for North Carolina residents and by February 15 for all others.
Regular Decision Non-binding In ~3 months

January 15, 2027

Decisions by March 31; enrollment confirmation due May 1.

Dates are from UNC's first-year application page, which lists October 15 and January 15 without years. Supporting materials and test scores are due November 7 (Early Action) or February 21 (Regular Decision), and financial aid applications by December 1 or March 1. UNC has no Early Decision.

How to apply

Common App ($85 fee or waiver); personal essay; activities; one letter of recommendation from a teacher in a core academic subject; official transcript and school report; optional self-reported SAT or ACT (required only if your weighted GPA is below 2.8).

What admissions looks for

Very strong grades in core academic courses, typically well above a B+ average, and a rigorous program.
Your personal essay, where UNC wants to hear your own voice and see you as a whole person.
Meaningful activities, whatever form they take, from leading an organization to caring for family.
How you would contribute to a talented and inclusive community at Carolina; state residency also carries real weight.
In the 2025-26 Common Data Set, rigor, essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, talent, character and state residency are rated very important; GPA, class rank, volunteer and work experience important; test scores only considered.

Tips for applying to UNC-Chapel Hill

1 Apply Early Action by October 15: it is non-binding, and North Carolina residents hear by December 20.
2 Choose a recommender from a core academic subject who knows you well, since UNC asks for only one teacher letter.
3 Self-report your test scores if they help; UNC uses only self-reported scores in review and superscores across dates.
4 Out-of-state and international applicants should plan to pay the full nonresident cost: international students aren't eligible for need-based aid.

What are your chances?

Costs & financial aid

2026-27 · figures in USD

North Carolina residents: tuition $7,230 plus fees $2,130 Tuition $9,360

+ on-campus housing ($9,168) and food ($6,702) $15,870 ≈ $25,230 per year

Out-of-state and international students: tuition $47,472 plus fees $2,130 Tuition $49,602

+ on-campus housing ($9,168) and food ($6,702) $15,870 ≈ $65,472 per year

Tuition On-campus housing ($9,168) and food ($6,702)

Official cost of attendance $29,050

Financial aid

UNC works to meet the demonstrated financial need of first-degree, full-time students with grants, scholarships, loans and work-study, using the CSS Profile for university grants. The Carolina Covenant meets full need without loans for students from families at or below 200% of the poverty guideline, including dependent out-of-state students. International students aren't eligible for need-based aid.

$29,050 in-state; $70,264 out-of-state
Cost of attendance 2026-27, on campus: Debt-free, full-need package for families at or below 200% of the poverty guideline
Carolina Covenant: No. 1
Best Value for In-State Students (U.S. News 2027)

Academics

Academic calendar: Semesters

Business Administration (Kenan-Flagler)

Undergraduate business tied No. 6 overall and No. 3 among publics in U.S. News 2027.

Nursing (BSN)

Tied No. 6 overall and No. 4 among public BSN programs in U.S. News 2027.

Journalism and Media (Hussman School)

A dedicated professional school for journalism and media within the university.

Public Health (Gillings School)

One of UNC's professional schools, focused on global public health.

Research

Two Nobel laureates on the faculty: Aziz Sancar (Chemistry, 2015) and Oliver Smithies (Physiology or Medicine, 2007).
UNC is one corner of North Carolina's Research Triangle, alongside Duke University and NC State.
ARWU 2026 ranks UNC-Chapel Hill 40th in the world.

Schools & faculties

College of Arts and Sciences
Kenan-Flagler Business School
Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Gillings School of Global Public Health
Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Adams School of Dentistry
School of Medicine
School of Nursing
The Graduate School

Graduation rate

91%

First-year students who return

97%

College Scorecard: median earnings of $72,200 ten years after entry (and $57,057 six years after entry) for federally aided students.

Student life

Carolina has a classic campus built around McCorkle Place and the Old Well, and 99% of first-years live in university housing. Traditions include the Bell Tower lighting the night before the first day of class, walks along Franklin Street, and Tar Heel football in Kenan Stadium. Students can join more than 550 recognized organizations, and about 9% of women and 6% of men join sororities and fraternities. UNC is a charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and fields 28 intercollegiate teams.

The Old Well, the university's best-known symbol
Bell Tower lighting the night before classes start
More than 550 recognized student organizations
Charter member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, with 28 varsity sports

Housing. 99% of first-years and 42% of all undergraduates live in university housing (CDS 2025-26).

Location

Chapel Hill is a college town in central North Carolina, and Franklin Street, next to campus, is the centre of student life off campus. The town forms the Research Triangle with Durham (Duke University) and Raleigh (NC State), a region with many universities, research employers and internship options within driving distance.

Nearest airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

Notable alumni

MJ
Michael Jordan

Basketball Hall of Famer; majored in cultural geography at UNC
JK
James K. Polk

11th President of the United States
TW
Thomas Wolfe

Novelist, author of Look Homeward, Angel
MH
Mia Hamm

Two-time Olympic gold medal soccer player; won four NCAA titles at UNC
AG
Andy Griffith

Actor, star of The Andy Griffith Show; Bachelor of Music from UNC
SS
Stuart Scott

ESPN SportsCenter anchor
KK
Kay Kyser

Bandleader and radio star; BA 1928

Frequently asked questions

What is UNC-Chapel Hill's acceptance rate?

UNC admitted 12,751 of 76,247 first-year applicants for fall 2025, about 17%. It was about 37% for North Carolina residents and under 10% for out-of-state applicants.

Is UNC-Chapel Hill test-optional for fall 2027?

Yes, if your weighted GPA is 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Below that, UNC System rules require an ACT of 17+ or an SAT of 930+.

When is the UNC Early Action deadline?

October 15, 2026. Early Action is non-binding, and Regular Decision closes January 15, 2027.

How much does UNC-Chapel Hill cost for out-of-state students?

For 2026-27, tuition and fees are $49,602 for out-of-state students versus $9,360 for North Carolina residents. The on-campus cost of attendance is $70,264 out of state and $29,050 in state.

Can international students get financial aid at UNC?

No. International students aren't eligible for need-based financial aid at UNC-Chapel Hill and should be prepared to pay the full nonresident cost of attendance.

Sources & methodology

Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.