University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus

UNC Chapel Hill Admission Requirements

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Chapel Hill, NC
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UNC Chapel Hill Admission Overview

UNC Chapel Hill admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in North Carolina. Last year UNC Chapel Hill admitted 15.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1390-1530 / ACT 28-34. UNC Chapel Hill is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNC Chapel Hill is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.unc.edu/apply/types-of-applications/first-year/

UNC Chapel Hill Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

15.3%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The UNC Chapel Hill acceptance rate is 15.3%. Last year, only 10,209 of 66,535 applicants were admitted. That is the 3rd lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina and the 58th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UNC Chapel Hill and can you get accepted?

UNC Chapel Hill is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 45% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNC Chapel Hill GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.83*

Typical High School Grades

A-

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.83*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

UNC Chapel Hill has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.83 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.83 GPA does not by itself determine admission. UNC Chapel Hill is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

*3.83 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

UNC Chapel Hill Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill does not require SAT or ACT scores from first-year applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale, or above a B+ average if the school does not report that GPA. Applicants below 2.8 must send an SAT of 930 or higher or an ACT of 17 or higher. The rule applies for 2026-27 and beyond.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.unc.edu/apply/types-of-applications/first-year/

UNC Chapel Hill SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1390-1530

Freshmen who sent SAT

28%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 690
Math 700
Composite 1390

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 750
Math 780
Composite 1530

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UNC Chapel Hill typically score around a 1460 SAT (middle 50% 1390–1530) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 98th percentile nationally. UNC Chapel Hill ranks #4 in the state of North Carolina and #66 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1390 to 1530

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1390–1530 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

UNC Chapel Hill is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1460 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1530+	Above 75th	>25%
1460 to 1530	Avg +	15%-25%
1390 to 1460	Avg -	8%-15%
Below 1390	Below mid-50	<8%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNC Chapel Hill ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

28-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

41%

25th Percentile Scores

English 27
Math 26
Composite 28

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 33
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UNC Chapel Hill typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 28–34) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UNC Chapel Hill places #4 among colleges in North Carolina and #110 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 28–34 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to UNC Chapel Hill without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34+	Above 75th	>25%
31 to 34	Avg +	15%-25%
28 to 31	Avg -	8%-15%
Below 28	Below mid-50	<8%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

74% of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	74%
Top 25% of class	94%
Top 50% of class	99%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the UNC Chapel Hill chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	38,632	27,893	66,535
Accepted	5,953	4,256	10,209
Acceptance Rate	15%	15%	15%
Enrolled	2,888	1,752	4,640
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	49%	41%	45%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $85.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UNC Chapel Hill is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 15.3% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1390-1530); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025