The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill opened its doors to students in 1795. Since then, the university has continued its legacy of providing students with nationally recognized teaching, groundbreaking study, and research opportunities. UNC-Chapel Hill also welcomes students from around the world and promotes a campus-wide spirit of inquiry, critical thought, life-changing opportunities, and, through the Carolina Covenant, debt-free education for eligible low-income students.
While UNC-Chapel Hill welcomes students from across North Carolina, the United States, and other countries, knowing the acceptance rate is crucial to understanding your admission chances. This article explains the acceptance rate of this school, so be sure to read it all the way through.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Acceptance Rate
Based on UNC-Chapel Hill’s Common Data Set 2025-26, the acceptance rate for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was about 16.7 percent for fall 2025, with 76,247 first-time, first-year applicants and 12,751 admitted students. This means admission to UNC-Chapel Hill is competitive, and your chances can also depend on factors such as residency, academic preparation, and the overall applicant pool in a given year.
Application numbers and acceptance rates can change from year to year. For fall 2025, UNC-Chapel Hill reported 76,247 first-time, first-year applicants, which was higher than the 57,219 first-year applications reported for fall 2022. When the applicant pool grows, the admissions process can become more competitive even if the university admits a similar number of students.
Residency is also an important admissions context. UNC System policy sets an 18 percent cap for nonresident students in UNC-Chapel Hill’s entering fall first-time undergraduate class. In the latest available residency breakdown in UNC-Chapel Hill’s Common Data Set 2025-26, reported for fall 2024, the admitted-to-applied ratio was about 37.0 percent for in-state applicants and 9.6 percent for out-of-state applicants, with international applicants reported separately. Out-of-state applicants should therefore treat admission as especially competitive.
UNC-Chapel Hill uses a holistic admissions process and seeks students whose collective strengths will contribute to the campus community. The overall acceptance rate is an institution-wide statistic and should not be interpreted as a fixed admission chance for every applicant or academic program.
Preparing for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Admission to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is not the only thing to remember when preparing for this school. Other things to prepare for include tuition and fees, required application materials, and scholarship opportunities.
Admission Requirements
The university’s admission requirements are used to select applicants who are well suited for the school. If you plan to apply to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, you should review the current requirements and prepare your application carefully. UNC-Chapel Hill states that applicants must meet minimum UNC System course requirements to be eligible for admission consideration, though applicants who lack a required course unit or hold a GED may be able to meet eligibility through specified alternatives and explain their circumstances in the application.
Tuition Fees
As an applicant, you should know how much you may be expected to pay for tuition and fees. This way, you can determine whether the school is affordable for you and plan your finances early. UNC-Chapel Hill states that tuition and fee rates are determined by factors such as student classification, academic program, residency, and specific courses. Graduate and professional tuition can also vary by program, and graduate tuition is generally assessed per credit hour, with full-time tuition capped at nine credit hours for most graduate programs.
Scholarships
Scholarships are another vital aspect to consider if you plan to attend this school, especially if you need financial assistance. Scholarships and grants can help fund your studies and meet other financial needs, such as living expenses and other allowances. UNC-Chapel Hill offers academic scholarships and need-based aid opportunities, but eligibility varies. The university states that academic scholarships are awarded through a comprehensive review of the admissions application and that there is no separate application for most academic scholarship consideration. International applicants should also note that UNC-Chapel Hill states international students are not considered for academic scholarships and that need-based federal and university funds are generally limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Knowing the acceptance rate is an excellent place to start if you want to understand your chances of getting admitted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This knowledge can help you prepare to meet other requirements and make better decisions during the university admissions process.
We hope this article on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s acceptance rate was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Guide to Studying in the USA and Available Courses for International Students!
