Overview of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the most selective public universities situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The institution has a large selection of 77 undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. Students are backed by a 13 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 30,011 (19,117 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 41 percent male/59 percent female
• 97 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $9,043 (in-state); $36,222 (out-of-state)
• Books: $972
• Room and Board: $11,526
• Other Expenses: $2,750
• Total Cost: $24,291 (in-state); $51,470 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 67 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 46 percent
  • Loans: 28 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $17,030
  • Loans: $5,329

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Psychology; and Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 97 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 6 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 82 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 89 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Fencing, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Crew-Rowing, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
• The University of North Carolina Tar Heels play in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Overview of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) Admissions

Accepted students at UNC-Chapel Hill tend to have grades in the “A” range and standardized test scores that are well over mean. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data             

For students entering UNC-Chapel Hill in the 2018-19 academic year, UNC-Chapel Hill had an acceptance rate of 23%. That means For every 100 applicants, 23 gained admission while 77 received rejection letters. The university’s admissions procedure is highly selective.

SAT Requirements and Scores

When juxtaposed to national SAT data, we can see that typical scores for admission to UNC-Chapel Hill are in the upper20% of all test-takers. The median 50% of students scored between 630 and 720 on the evidence-based reading and writing part. This reveals that 25% of students scored a 630 or lower, and at the upper end, 25% of applicants scored a 720 or higher. The median 50% of students scored between 640 and 760 on the math part. The bottom quarter of students scored a 640 or lower, while the top quarter of applicants scored a 760 or higher.

ACT Requirements and Scores

If you juxtapose ACT scores for the countries best public universities, you’ll see that UNC-Chapel Hill is right at the top. When we look at national ACT score data, we find that UNC students tend to be among the top 15% of all test-takers. The mean 50% of students scored between 29 and 33 on the exam. This reveals that 25% scored a 29 or lower, and a quarter of students earned a 33 or higher.

GPA and Class Rank

For students who entered UNC-Chapel Hill in the 2018-19 academic year, the university reports that the mean high school GPA was 4.70. Nearly all students have grades in the “A” range. Class rank also tends to be high: 78% were ranked in the top 10% of their class, and 96% were in the top 25%.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for UNC-Chapel Hill, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If UNC-Chapel Hill is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Texas at Dallas, Stony Brook University, University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, American University, Drexel University

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for UNC-Chapel Hill, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

University of California, Berkeley, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Villanova University, Southern Methodist University, University of Maryland, Binghamton University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than UNC-Chapel Hill. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Tufts University, Northeastern University, Georgetown University, New York University, University of Southern California, University of Michigan, Emory University

Applying to UNC-Chapel Hill

Application Deadline: January 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://admissions.unc.edu/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://admissions.unc.edu/apply/

Graduate Admissions Website:

http://gradschool.unc.edu/

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions.html