University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Net price / year
$11,655
after grants & scholarships
lower than 63% of public 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
15%
Graduation rate
92%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 99% of public 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$81,033
4 years after graduating
higher than 96% of public 4-year colleges
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at a glance
- What is the tuition at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
- In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $8,994 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $41,203 for out-of-state students.
- What is the cost of attendance at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
- The average cost of attendance is $26,055 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
- The average net price for in-state students is $11,655 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
- About 15% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
- What SAT and ACT scores are typical at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
- The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores had an SAT total of about 1390–1530 and an ACT composite of 28–34 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Considered if submitted, but not required.
- What is the graduation rate at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
- 92% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn?
- The median graduate earns $81,033 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- Graduates earn a median $81,033 four years after finishing, more than 96% of public 4-year colleges.
- 92% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 99% of public 4-year colleges.
- Only 15% of applicants are admitted, which makes this a highly selective school.
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 1.0 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- Families earning under $30,000 pay about $2,004 a year on average, versus $24,396 for families earning over $110,000.
Tuition and cost of attendance at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Average net price (in-state)
$11,655 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$46,620
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $2,004
- $30–48k $3,918
- $48–75k $8,538
- $75–110k $16,415
- $110k+ $24,396
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $26,055
- Tuition & fees$8,994
- Books & supplies$1,290
- Room & board$13,804
- Other expenses$2,932
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $8,994
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $41,203
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores
Acceptance rate
Share of applicants admitted.
Test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Graduation rate
92%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
97%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$148
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
1.0 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.2×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 2.2%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 91%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $48,337 · median $72,200 · 75th percentile $112,339
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 4,279 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 18%
- Making progress 18%
- Not making progress 10%
- Delinquent 1%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 39%
- Deferment 13%
- Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
4,279 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 282 | $137,047 | 1 yr$90,2934 yrs$137,0475 yrs$124,977 | U.S. median $107,009 U.S. middle half $74.8K–$152K · Above the U.S. median | $13,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 319 | $135,874 | 1 yr$85,6184 yrs$135,8745 yrs$125,645 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median | $14,239 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 105 | $119,839 | 1 yr$75,1054 yrs$119,8395 yrs$117,954 | U.S. median $91,532 U.S. middle half $63.4K–$127.3K · Above the U.S. median | $14,135 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 20 Small sample | $110,204 | 1 yr$49,9674 yrs$110,204 | U.S. median $58,716 U.S. middle half $41.9K–$80.4K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 403 | $103,846 | 1 yr$65,3444 yrs$103,8465 yrs$96,785 | U.S. median $82,686 U.S. middle half $58.2K–$116.3K · Above the U.S. median | $14,135 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 26 Small sample | $103,477 | 1 yr$62,6474 yrs$103,477 | U.S. median $76,786 U.S. middle half $51.8K–$102.9K · Above the U.S. median | $17,150 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 69 | $101,599 | 1 yr$53,4024 yrs$101,5995 yrs$101,719 | U.S. median $69,562 U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Above the U.S. median | $15,127 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 75 | $100,940 | 1 yr$75,8344 yrs$100,9405 yrs$102,438 | U.S. median $85,294 U.S. middle half $59.8K–$116.9K · Above the U.S. median | $13,197 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 61 | $97,992 | 1 yr$70,5614 yrs$97,992 | U.S. median $93,451 U.S. middle half $74.1K–$113.9K · Above the U.S. median | $15,000 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution Bachelor's · Graduates: 134 | $80,344 | 1 yr$44,5034 yrs$80,3445 yrs$78,097 | U.S. median $63,114 U.S. middle half $44.7K–$84.3K · Above the U.S. median | $14,000 |
Show all 38 programs
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Bachelor's · Graduates: 198 | $78,585 | 1 yr$71,5944 yrs$78,5855 yrs$77,041 | U.S. median $88,910 U.S. middle half $67.9K–$114.5K · Below the U.S. median | $19,802 |
| Human Resources Management and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 96 | $76,811 | 1 yr$52,2174 yrs$76,8115 yrs$66,529 | U.S. median $68,069 U.S. middle half $50.2K–$90.6K · Above the U.S. median | $12,750 |
| Public Policy Analysis Bachelor's · Graduates: 163 | $74,403 | 1 yr$48,2524 yrs$74,4035 yrs$70,196 | U.S. median $73,721 U.S. middle half $53.3K–$104.1K · Above the U.S. median | $14,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $72,892 | 1 yr$56,7214 yrs$72,892 | U.S. median $75,975 U.S. middle half $60.9K–$92.3K · Below the U.S. median | $17,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $72,567 | 1 yr$54,2074 yrs$72,5675 yrs$67,230 | U.S. median $68,061 U.S. middle half $51.2K–$83.4K · Above the U.S. median | $11,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Bachelor's · Graduates: 31 | $72,422 | 1 yr$37,7094 yrs$72,422 | U.S. median $53,072 U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median | $13,000 |
| Political Science and Government Bachelor's · Graduates: 413 | $72,001 | 1 yr$41,2004 yrs$72,0015 yrs$71,082 | U.S. median $63,293 U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Above the U.S. median | $14,569 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 32 | $70,709 | 1 yr$34,2844 yrs$70,7095 yrs$59,952 | U.S. median $54,455 U.S. middle half $34.9K–$78K · Above the U.S. median | $14,618 |
| Communication and Media Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 628 | $70,240 | 1 yr$43,3484 yrs$70,2405 yrs$67,532 | U.S. median $56,359 U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Above the U.S. median | $14,625 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 223 | $65,933 | 1 yr$31,9554 yrs$65,9335 yrs$58,306 | U.S. median $56,625 U.S. middle half $37.2K–$78.5K · Above the U.S. median | $13,261 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research Bachelor's · Graduates: 131 | $65,337 | 1 yr$33,9764 yrs$65,3375 yrs$55,613 | U.S. median $55,012 U.S. middle half $39.4K–$72.8K · Above the U.S. median | $12,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 81 | $64,981 | 1 yr$32,5164 yrs$64,9815 yrs$67,202 | U.S. median $65,120 U.S. middle half $48.3K–$84K · Below the U.S. median | $14,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Bachelor's · Graduates: 84 | $64,570 | 1 yr$32,5084 yrs$64,5705 yrs$55,230 | U.S. median $55,000 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median | $13,379 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 288 | $63,286 | 1 yr$31,1654 yrs$63,2865 yrs$58,954 | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | $16,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 320 | $62,047 | 1 yr$33,4714 yrs$62,0475 yrs$64,430 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $15,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 60 | $58,127 | 1 yr$32,8804 yrs$58,1275 yrs$41,458 | U.S. median $42,892 U.S. middle half $26K–$58.8K · Above the U.S. median | $18,007 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 144 | $57,952 | 1 yr$34,5924 yrs$57,9525 yrs$54,874 | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Above the U.S. median | $14,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 393 | $57,477 | 1 yr$31,8044 yrs$57,4775 yrs$56,424 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median | $13,999 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 58 | $56,589 | 1 yr$36,2114 yrs$56,5895 yrs$43,860 | U.S. median $46,676 U.S. middle half $32.1K–$63.9K · Above the U.S. median | $12,500 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 47 | $54,691 | 1 yr$26,3424 yrs$54,6915 yrs$49,010 | U.S. median $51,710 U.S. middle half $34.9K–$68.1K · Above the U.S. median | $11,364 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 70 | $54,181 | 1 yr$24,6584 yrs$54,1815 yrs$57,670 | U.S. median $49,984 U.S. middle half $32.9K–$69.9K · Above the U.S. median | $16,782 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample | $52,716 | 1 yr$33,6904 yrs$52,716 | U.S. median $41,390 U.S. middle half $20.5K–$65.2K · Above the U.S. median | $12,550 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 74 | $51,801 | 1 yr$30,6234 yrs$51,8015 yrs$57,345 | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Below the U.S. median | $14,050 |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 140 | $51,208 | 1 yr$30,0604 yrs$51,2085 yrs$54,429 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Above the U.S. median | $14,794 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 27 Small sample | $49,476 | 1 yr$42,4544 yrs$49,476 | U.S. median $57,853 U.S. middle half $42.5K–$75.6K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Bachelor's · Graduates: 40 | $49,209 | 1 yr$29,8974 yrs$49,2095 yrs$51,232 | U.S. median $47,382 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$56.1K · Above the U.S. median | $12,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 42 | $41,722 | 1 yr$24,0054 yrs$41,7225 yrs$42,572 | U.S. median $41,367 U.S. middle half $26.2K–$56.7K · Above the U.S. median | $11,599 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Bachelor's · Graduates: 31 | $41,362 | 1 yr$26,4574 yrs$41,362 | U.S. median $39,775 U.S. middle half $25.5K–$55.4K · Above the U.S. median | $15,827 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 53.3%
- Black or African American 7.4%
- Hispanic or Latino 9.7%
- Asian 16%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.3%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0%
- Two or more races 5.1%
- U.S. nonresident 5.6%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 2.7%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 39.2%
- Women 60.8%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
2%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 20,752
- Part-time students
- 3%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 20%
- Receive federal loans
- 13%
- Students per faculty member
- 15 : 1
- Setting
- City
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Where it ranks
This college appears in the top 50 of these TuitionScope rankings.
Guides worth reading
Plain-language explainers that help you read the numbers on this page.
More in North Carolina
In North Carolina
National rankings
Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
For the 2024-25 academic year, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $8,994 for in-state students and $41,203 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
The average cost of attendance at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $26,055 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $11,655 a year. That is around the middle of public 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill get?
20% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 13% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $2,004 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $24,396 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admitted about 15% of applicants in fall 2024. That makes admission highly selective.
What SAT and ACT scores do you need for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% had an SAT total of about 1390–1530 and an ACT composite of 28–34 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
92% of first-time, full-time students at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill finish within 150% of normal time. 97% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $81,033 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $51,058.
Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 1.0 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $14,000, about 0.2 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 92% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things