CollegeCalcAI
Highly selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

University of North Carolina acceptance rate and admissions profile

University of North Carolina is a public university in North Carolina with a 17% acceptance rate, which makes it highly selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among North Carolina schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
17%
Highly selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1470
of admitted students
Type
Public
North Carolina
Selectivity in state
#3
of 38 in NC
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What University of North Carolina looks for

What University of North Carolina weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Important
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Important
First-generation status
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
State residency
Very important
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered

SAT score positioning at University of North Carolina

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at University of North Carolina
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How University of North Carolina compares in North Carolina

University of North Carolina ranks #3 most selective of 38 schools in North Carolina in our database.

Duke University
6%acceptance · NC
Davidson College
17%acceptance · NC
Wake Forest University
21%acceptance · NC
NC State University
47%acceptance · NC
North Carolina A&T State University
47%acceptance · NC
Elizabeth City State University
55%acceptance · NC
Fayetteville State University
55%acceptance · NC
Johnson C. Smith University
55%acceptance · NC
See all North Carolina schools →

Similar to University of North Carolina

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Georgia Tech
17%acceptance · GA
University of Michigan
18%acceptance · MI
University of Virginia
19%acceptance · VA
UC Irvine
21%acceptance · CA
Davidson College
17%acceptance · NC
Washington and Lee University
17%acceptance · VA

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into University of North Carolina?

University of North Carolina has a 17% acceptance rate, which makes it highly selective — it turns away most applicants. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for University of North Carolina?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1470. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does University of North Carolina value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, University of North Carolina weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into University of North Carolina?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for University of North Carolina in a few minutes, no account required.

Want the deeper guide? Read our full University of North Carolina chances guide →

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.