All schools
PublicUrban

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599

Visit website

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrbanGreek lifeSports culture

Highly selective — strong graduate outcomes

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution in Chapel Hill with particular strength in biology and business. With an average SAT of 1454, the school attracts a competitive applicant pool.

A large campus of 20.6K undergraduates with a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

92% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $72,200 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $12,983.

Established
1789
Motto
Lux libertas
Mascot
Rameses
Type
Public research university
Division
Division I

Plan Your Visit

19%Acceptance
1454SAT Avg
20,556Students
15:1Student:Faculty
92%Grad Rate
$72,200Earnings 10yr
$12,983Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate18.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1454

Reading & WritingMid: 625
680750
MathMid: 635
690780

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 25
3034

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,989
Tuition (out-of-state)$39,330
Room & Board$13,016
Books & Supplies$1,290
Total Cost of Attendance$25,181
Average Net Price$12,983
Median Debt at Graduation$14,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$148

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$3,165
$30–48K$5,143
$48–75K$11,220
$75–110K$19,106
$110K+$24,077

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

82.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$12,989

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

155

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

40

Burglary

8

Aggravated Assault

5

Robbery

13

Motor Vehicle Theft

16

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

41

Drug Arrests

31

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (231)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

97%

Very Positive

Student Body

Undergrads
20,556
Gender Split
61% / 39%
Women / Men
First Generation
20%
Pell Grant Recipients
20%

Race & Ethnicity

White 54%
Black 8%
Hispanic 10%
Asian 15%
Two+ 5%
Int'l 5%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate92.1%
Freshman Retention97.2%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$57,057
10 Years$72,200

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#26
vs 2024
Forbes
#31
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#3
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#19
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

SoccerField hockeyLacrosseBasketballTennisCollege world

History & Fun Facts

  • As a result, Woman's College was renamed the "University of North Carolina at Greensboro", and the University of North Carolina became the "University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill".
  • In 1951, a court ordered the university to admit the first Black students to the schools of law and medicine.
  • The first students were Harvey Beech, James Lassiter, J.
  • The first three Leroy Frasier, John Lewis Brandon and Ralph Frasier were from Hillside High School in Durham, North Carolina.
  • There were four black freshmen in 1960 and only eighteen in 1963.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

99Average

Estimated from NC state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Raleighpop. 470K
25 mi(43 min)
Charlottepop. 880K
111 mi(192 min)
Washingtonpop. 690K
235 mi(407 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

RDU Raleigh-Durham15 mi
CLT Charlotte117 mi
RIC Richmond146 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA617 mi · ~17h 49m drive
New York, NY430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
Hartford, CT530 mi · ~15h 19m drive
Providence, RI579 mi · ~16h 44m drive
Albany, NY545 mi · ~15h 45m drive
Syracuse, NY517 mi · ~14h 56m drive
Rochester, NY506 mi · ~14h 37m drive
Buffalo, NY482 mi · ~13h 55m drive
Philadelphia, PA350 mi · ~10h 7m drive
Pittsburgh, PA317 mi · ~9h 9m drive
Harrisburg, PA323 mi · ~9h 20m drive
Newark, NJ425 mi · ~12h 17m drive
Washington, DC235 mi · ~6h 47m drive
Baltimore, MD269 mi · ~7h 46m drive
Atlanta, GA337 mi · ~9h 44m drive
Charlotte, NC111 mi · ~3h 12m drive
Raleigh, NC25 mi · ~43 min drive
Miami, FL705 mi · ~20h 22m drive
Orlando, FL527 mi · ~15h 13m drive
Tampa, FL585 mi · ~16h 54m drive
Nashville, TN432 mi · ~12h 29m drive
New Orleans, LA760 mi · ~21h 57m drive
Richmond, VA144 mi · ~4h 10m drive
Chicago, IL618 mi · ~17h 51m drive
Detroit, MI492 mi · ~14h 13m drive
Minneapolis, MN973 mi · ~28h 7m drive
St. Louis, MO641 mi · ~18h 31m drive
Kansas City, MO878 mi · ~25h 22m drive
Indianapolis, IN470 mi · ~13h 35m drive
Columbus, OH353 mi · ~10h 12m drive
Cleveland, OH411 mi · ~11h 52m drive
Milwaukee, WI682 mi · ~19h 42m drive
Dallas, TX1034 mi · ~29h 52m drive
Houston, TX1037 mi · ~29h 57m drive
Austin, TX1148 mi · ~33h 10m drive
San Antonio, TX1214 mi · ~35h 4m drive
Los Angeles, CA2208 mi · ~63h 47m drive
San Francisco, CA2380 mi · ~68h 45m drive
San Diego, CA2172 mi · ~62h 45m drive
Seattle, WA2337 mi · ~67h 31m drive
Portland, OR2348 mi · ~67h 50m drive
Denver, CO1435 mi · ~41h 27m drive
Phoenix, AZ1875 mi · ~54h 10m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1800 mi · ~52h drive
Honolulu, HI4762 mi · ~137h 34m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Application Checklist

Decision Notifications