University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus

Built for Students, by Students

Help verify tuition, housing costs, and campus life data

Public, 4-Year
Chapel Hill, NC

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in NC. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.

Annual Tuition

$8,989

Average Sticker Price

Admission Rate

18.7%

Selectivity Level

Graduation Rate

91.7%

Completion Success

Median Earnings

$72,200

10y Career Outlook

About Institution

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in Chapel Hill, NC. With a competitive tuition profile of $8,989, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 91.7% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.

Admissions Intel

SAT Score Range

Reading & Writing680 – 750
20025th–75th percentile800
Math690 – 780
20025th–75th percentile800

ACT Score Range

Composite30 – 34
125th–75th percentile36

Acceptance Rate

18.7%

Transfer-Out Rate4.9%

What You Need to Apply

Application requirements for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Test-Optional$85 Fee (waiver available)Common App

GPA: 3.8 – 4 (unweighted mid-50%)

3 Essays Required

Common App personal essay + 2 UNC Writing Supplement short answers.

1 Recommendation Letter Required

One core academic teacher required

Required Documents

  • • Common App
  • • High school transcript
  • • Teacher recommendation
  • • 3 essays
  • • SAT/ACT (optional if GPA >= 2.8)

Key Deadlines

Early Action

October 15, 2025

Regular Decision

January 15, 2026

EA decisions by Feb 10

Financial Aid Priority Deadline

December 1, 2025

File FAFSA by this date to maximize aid eligibility.

Important

Students with weighted GPA >= 2.8 are test-optional. Below 2.8 must submit SAT (930+) or ACT (17+). CSS Profile required.

Apply on Common App

Last verified: April 12, 2026. Source: UNC Admissions. Always verify requirements directly with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before applying.

Investment Return

Estimated College ROI Analysis

Total 4-Year Cost

$35,956

Based on sticker tuition

Estimated Payback

0.9 yrs

Time to recoup investment

Annual Earnings Boost

+$42,200

vs. $30k HS diploma baseline

10-Year Net Gain

+$386,044

Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost

20-Year Net Gain

+$808,044

Long-term projected return on your education investment

ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $14,000.

Student Community

Gender Balance

Women
Men
60.8%
39.3%
FemininityMasculinity

Ethnic Diversity

White
54.1%
Asian
14.8%
Hispanic
9.8%
Black
8.2%
International
5.3%
Two or more
5.1%
Unknown
2.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.3%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.0%

Security Audit

Safety Rating: 3-Year Aggregate

Incidents

0

Burglary

0

Theft

0

Assault

0

Robbery

0

Rape

0

Arson

0

Murder

0

Financial Outlook

Total Sticker Price

$8,989

Estimated cost before aid.

Net Price By Income

$0 - $30k$3,165
$30k - $48k$5,143
$48k - $75k$11,220
$75k+$19,106

Debt & Financial Aid

Median Debt (grads)$14,000
Pell Grant Recipients20.3%
Using Federal Loans18.3%
Historical 3yr Loan Repayment80.6%

Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.

* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.

Quick Overview

Faculty Ratio

N/A

Retention

97.2%

Success

91.7%

In-State Cost

$8,989

Age 25+ Students

2.1%

Carnegie Class

R1: Doctoral — Very High Research

Working at 6yr

2,903 students

Security Benchmark

Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)

Violent Offenses

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Chapel Hill (City-wide)0.0

Property Crimes

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Chapel Hill (City-wide)0.0

Stats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.

Living In Chapel Hill

Off-Campus Market Estimator

Current Fair Market Rents
🏠

Studio

$1,385

Monthly Average

🏢

1 Bedroom

$1,418

Monthly Average

🏘️

2 Bedrooms

$1,631

Monthly Average

🏢

3 Bedrooms

$

Monthly Average

Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the Chapel Hill metropolitan area.