North Carolina · College profile
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public four-year university in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, enrolling about 20,752 undergraduates. It admits roughly 15% of applicants, which makes it selective relative to four-year colleges nationally.
SAT and ACT scores at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
| Measure | Score |
|---|---|
| SAT 25th percentile | 1390 |
| SAT 75th percentile | 1530 |
| SAT midpoint (estimated) | 1480 |
| ACT 25th percentile | 28 |
| ACT 75th percentile | 34 |
| ACT midpoint (estimated) | 31 |
A quarter of enrolled students scored below 1390 and a quarter scored above 1530. Treat 1530 as the target that makes your score a clear strength in this applicant pool, and 1390 as the point below which the rest of your application has to carry more weight.
The two ranges describe the same class, so submit whichever test places you higher in its own range — an ACT 34 and an SAT 1530 are read as equivalent here.
Admissions and selectivity
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 15.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 20,752 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 15:1 |
| Setting | City |
| Control | Public |
Cost and financial aid
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $8,994 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $41,203 |
| Room and board | $13,804 |
| Average net price (first-year students) | $11,655 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 20.0% |
| Students taking federal loans | 13.1% |
| Median federal loan debt at graduation | $12,989 |
Net price is the number that matters: $11,655 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.
Graduation and earnings outcomes
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Graduation rate (6-year) | 91.2% |
| First-year retention | 96.6% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $72,200 |
| Students who are first-generation | 19.9% |
Most popular majors
- Biological & biomedical sciences — 15% of bachelor's degrees
- Social sciences — 14% of bachelor's degrees
- Business & marketing — 9% of bachelor's degrees
- Communication — 9% of bachelor's degrees
Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.
How your score compares
Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.
Start a free practice test →Frequently asked questions
What SAT score do you need for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scored between 1390 and 1530 on the SAT. A score at or above 1530 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students; below 1390 the rest of your application carries more weight.
What ACT score do you need for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
The middle 50% ACT range at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is 28 to 34. Aim for 34 to make the score a clear strength.
What is the acceptance rate at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admits about 15.3% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.
How much does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill cost?
Published tuition and fees are $8,994 in-state and $41,203 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $11,655 after grant aid.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.
FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →