Is UNC Chapel Hill test optional?

We haven't confirmed UNC Chapel Hill's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is UNC Chapel Hill's acceptance rate?

15% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 10,209 of 66,535 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 114%, from 31,143 in 2015 to 66,535 in 2024, and UNC Chapel Hill's admit rate went from 31% to 15%.

What ACT score do you need for UNC Chapel Hill?

41% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 29–34, with a median of 32. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1400–1530 works out to about 31–35.

What GPA do you need for UNC Chapel Hill?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 4.47 high school GPA, and 76% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for UNC Chapel Hill? (Middle 50%: 1400–1530)

First-year students at UNC Chapel Hill who sent an SAT scored 1400–1530, with a median of 1470 (Common Data Set 2025–26). UNC Chapel Hill admits 15% of applicants.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC

Where your score lands at UNC Chapel Hill

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1400–1530, median 1470

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier UNC Chapel Hill is for you and whether to send your score.

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UNC Chapel Hill by the numbers

Admit rate: 15%
Middle 50% SAT: 1400–1530
Median SAT: 1470
About on the ACT: 31–35
Sent an SAT: 28%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · checked Nov 9, 2026 · UNC Chapel Hill admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

UNC Chapel Hill admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 114%, from 31,143 in 2015 to 66,535 in 2024, and UNC Chapel Hill's admit rate went from 31% to 15%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	66,535	10,209	15%
2023	57,902	10,850	19%
2022	56,341	9,639	17%
2021	50,729	10,348	20%
2020	41,773	10,445	25%
2019	42,465	9,610	23%
2018	41,939	9,525	23%
2017	39,650	9,673	24%
2016	34,889	9,400	27%
2015	31,143	9,510	31%

In fall 2024, 4,640 of the 10,209 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at UNC Chapel Hill

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1350Far reachHold
1350–1460ReachHold
1470 and upReachSend

1250135014501550

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

UNC Chapel Hill SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	700	750	780
SAT total	1400	1470	1530
ACT composite	29	32	34

Of enrolled first-year students, 28% sent an SAT and 41% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 4.47; 90% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 76%; of new students who reported a rank

UNC Chapel Hill cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $11,655; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 91%
Median earnings: $72,200; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 22,075

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Sources

UNC Chapel Hill Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
UNC Chapel Hill admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
UNC Chapel Hill website
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1400–1530, and the median was 1470. At 1470 or higher you're above half of them. UNC Chapel Hill admits 15% of applicants, so a top score keeps you in the running but doesn't decide it.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$