UNC Chapel Hill: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

With an acceptance rate of just 16.8%, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the most selective public universities in the country. UNC-Chapel Hill is a so-called "Public Ivy" school with great opportunities for students.

Considering applying to UNC-Chapel Hill? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Why UNC-Chapel Hill?

• Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• Campus Features: UNC-Chapel Hill occupies an attractive 729-acre campus in North Carolina's Research Triangle Park, a research and business hub that includes Duke University and North Carolina State University.
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 15:1
• Athletics: The University of North Carolina Tar Heels compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
• Highlights: UNC-Chapel Hill frequently ranks near the top of the nation's best public universities. The school wins high marks for its value and the quality of its academic programs. Undergraduates can choose from 77 majors.

UNC Acceptance Rate

During the 2022 admissions cycle, UNC-Chapel Hill had an acceptance rate of 16.8%. For every 100 students who applied, nearly 17 were admitted, making Chapel Hill's admissions process highly selective.

GPAs, SAT scores, and ACT scores in the graph are self-reported by the actual applicants to UNC-Chapel Hill. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Appily account.

UNC-Chapel Hill Admissions Chances

Accepted students at UNC-Chapel Hill tend to have grades in the "A" range and standardized test scores well above average. Realize that hidden beneath the blue and green (accepted students) on the graph is a lot of red (rejected students). Many students with 4.0 GPAs and high test scores still get rejected from UNC-Chapel Hill. It's also important to note that some students were accepted with test scores and grades below the norm. UNC-Chapel Hill has holistic admissions, so admissions officers evaluate students based on more than numerical data.

Students with remarkable talents or compelling stories will often get a close look, even if their grades and test scores aren't ideal. A winning essay, strong letters of recommendation, and interesting extracurricular activities can mean the difference between an acceptance and a rejection.

Why Does UNC Reject Strong Students?

Stellar grades and strong standardized test scores are no guarantees of admission. A straight-A student who doesn't reveal strengths or passions in non-academic areas will likely be rejected. The university is looking for applicants who will succeed in the classroom and contribute in meaningful ways. The high selectivity of the school is one reason why UNC-Chapel Hill should be considered a reach school even if your grades and test scores are on target for admission.