University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Acceptance Rate
Chapel Hill, North Carolina · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 57,902
- Admitted
- 10,850
- Yield
- 43.3%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's acceptance rate has fallen from 28.5% in 2014–15 to 18.7% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 31,332 to 57,902 (+85%) over that period.
Its 18.7% rate makes University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill more selective than about 95% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 53 tracked North Carolina schools, it is more selective than about 94%.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 43.3% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 31,332 | 8,929 | 28.5% | 3,976 |
| 2015–16 | 31,143 | 9,510 | 30.5% | 4,076 |
| 2016–17 | 34,889 | 9,400 | 26.9% | 4,228 |
| 2017–18 | 39,650 | 9,673 | 24.4% | 4,356 |
| 2018–19 | 41,939 | 9,525 | 22.7% | 4,327 |
| 2019–20 | 42,465 | 9,610 | 22.6% | 4,182 |
| 2020–21 | 41,773 | 10,445 | 25% | 4,445 |
| 2021–22 | 50,729 | 10,348 | 20.4% | 4,690 |
| 2022–23 | 56,341 | 9,639 | 17.1% | 4,435 |
| 2023–24 | 57,902 | 10,850 | 18.7% | 4,699 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 33,955 | 6,517 | 19.2% |
| Men | 23,947 | 4,333 | 18.1% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 680–750 | 29% |
| SAT Math | 690–780 | |
| ACT Composite | 30–34 | 34% |
How University of North compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's acceptance rate?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's acceptance rate is 18.7% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (10,850 admitted of 57,902 applicants).
Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill test optional?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill received 57,902 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 10,850.
What SAT score do you need for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Admitted students at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill typically scored 680–750 on SAT Reading/Writing and 690–780 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill getting harder to get into?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 28.5% in 2014–15 to 18.7% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.unc.edu/.