University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#22 in National Universities (tie)

4 year • Chapel Hill, NC

4 year • Chapel Hill, NC •
Write a Review

Overview

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution that was founded in 1789. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,210 (fall 2022), and the campus size is 729 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #22. Its in-state tuition and fees are $8,998; out-of-state tuition and fees are $39,338.


The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, often referred to as UNC, offers a wide range of student activities. Popular student organizations include The Daily Tarheel, UNC's student newspaper, and WXYC, the student-run radio station. Nearly 20% of students are members of Greek life. Chapel Hill, which surrounds UNC, is often considered one of the best college towns in the country, offering music, restaurants and shopping. Almost half of all undergraduates live on campus in one of the residence halls or apartment complexes. The North Carolina Tar Heels are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference and are known for their men’s basketball team, which maintains a storied rivalry with nearby institution Duke University and is one of the most successful programs in college basketball. Former players include Michael Jordan and Vince Carter.


UNC is divided into a number of schools and colleges, the largest of which is the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences. Graduate programs include the highly ranked Kenan—Flagler Business School, School of Education, School of Law, School of Medicine, Gillings School of Global Public Health, School of Social Work, Eshelman School of Pharmacy and School of Government. At least 82% of each freshmen class must be from North Carolina, as dictated by state law. Actor and former professional basketball player Rick Fox, the 11th president of the United States James K. Polk, and former U.S. Senator John Edwards all earned degrees from UNC.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution that was founded in 1789. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,210 (fall 2022), and the campus size is 729 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #22. Its in-state tuition and fees are $8,998; out-of-state tuition and fees are $39,338.


The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, often referred to as UNC, offers a wide range of student activities. Popular student organizations include The Daily Tarheel, UNC's student newspaper, and WXYC, the student-run radio station. Nearly 20% of students are members of Greek life. Chapel Hill, which surrounds UNC, is often considered one of the best college towns in the country, offering music, restaurants and shopping. Almost half of all undergraduates live on campus in one of the residence halls or apartment complexes. The North Carolina Tar Heels are members of the Atlantic Coast Conference and are known for their men’s basketball team, which maintains a storied rivalry with nearby institution Duke University and is one of the most successful programs in college basketball. Former players include Michael Jordan and Vince Carter.


UNC is divided into a number of schools and colleges, the largest of which is the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences. Graduate programs include the highly ranked Kenan—Flagler Business School, School of Education, School of Law, School of Medicine, Gillings School of Global Public Health, School of Social Work, Eshelman School of Pharmacy and School of Government. At least 82% of each freshmen class must be from North Carolina, as dictated by state law. Actor and former professional basketball player Rick Fox, the 11th president of the United States James K. Polk, and former U.S. Senator John Edwards all earned degrees from UNC.

+ Show More

At-a-Glance

Setting

N/A

In-state tuition and fees

$8,998

Undergraduate Enrollment

20,210

Acceptance Rate

17%

311 Henry Owl Building, CB#3350, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599

2024 Rankings

Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. Read more about how we rank schools.

My Fit Score

My Fit Custom College Ranking

Does this school fit your college needs? Receive a personalized ranking provided by U.S. News College Compass and find out. Try it now

Admissions

Jan. 15

Application Deadline

17%

Acceptance Rate

SAT Range*

1350-1530

ACT Range*

30-34

High School GPA*

N/A

* These are the average scores of applications admitted to this school. Ranges represent admitted applicants who fell within the 25th and 75th percentile.

Will You Get Into University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

College Admissions Calculator

Data provided by U.S. News College Compass Users.

Cost

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$39,338

In-State Tuition & Fees

$8,998

Room & Board

$13,016(2023-24)

Average Need-Based Aid Package

$17,355

$13,263

Annual Cost*

$13,263

Annual Cost*

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$39,338

In-State Tuition & Fees

$8,998

Room & Board

$13,016(2023-24)

Average Need-Based Aid Package

$17,355

*Average in-state cost after aid

Academics

85%

4-Year Graduation Rate

15:1

Student/Faculty Ratio

44%

Classes With Fewer Than 20 Students

Popular Majors

MAJOR

% OF GRADUATES

ALUMNI STARTING SALARY

Social Sciences

15%

N/A

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

12%

N/A

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

9%

N/A

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

9%

N/A

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

8%

N/A

Social Sciences
15% Percent of Graduates
N/A Alumni Starting Salary
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
12% Percent of Graduates
N/A Alumni Starting Salary
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
9% Percent of Graduates
N/A Alumni Starting Salary
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
9% Percent of Graduates
N/A Alumni Starting Salary
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
8% Percent of Graduates
N/A Alumni Starting Salary

* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.

Faculty Research Impact

Bibliometric Rank

30

Bibliometrics is the statistical analyses of publications and citations for the purpose of measuring faculty research impact.

Publications Cited in Top 25% of Journals

69%

Publications Cited in Top 5% of Journals

24%

Total Papers published between 2018-2022

42,297

Citations Per Publication

17:1

Data provided byLast updated 2023.

Pick the Perfect Major

Discover the perfect major for you based on your innate wiring. The Innate Assessment sets you up for success by pairing you with majors, colleges and careers that fit your unique skills and abilities.

Take the QuizTake the Quiz

Students

20,210

Undergraduate Enrollment

Graduate Enrollment

11,739

Total Enrollment

31,949

Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students

19,162

Student Diversity

Gender Distribution

Male40%
Female60%

Ethnic Diversity

37%

Minority Enrollment

37%

Minority Enrollment

55%

White

14%

Asian

10%

Hispanic

8%

Black

5%

Two or more races

5%

International

2%

Unknown

Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.

Campus Life

Housing and Dorms

Types of campus housing available:

  • coed dorms
  • women's dorms
  • men's dorms
  • sorority housing
  • fraternity housing
  • apartments for married students
  • apartment for single students
  • special housing for disabled students
  • special housing for international students
  • theme housing
  • wellness housing
  • other housing options
  • Student Activities

    130+

    Sports Teams

    29

    Fraternities

    20

    Sororities

    After College

    Graduation Rate

    85%

    Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)

    33%

    Average Debt at Graduation

    $20,680

    $46,617

    Median Starting Salary of Alumni

    $46,617

    Median Starting Salary of Alumni

    Graduation Rate

    85%

    Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)

    33%

    Average Debt at Graduation

    $20,680

    Reviews & Ratings

    See reviews and ratings of this school from students, alumni, staff and others. These reviews are not written by U.S. News and have no impact on any of the Best Colleges rankings. Read an explanation of user ratings.

    0 reviews

    This school does not have enough reviews yet. Click here to submit your review.

    Read More

    Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.

    My Fit Score

    My Fit Custom College Ranking

    Does this school fit your college needs? Receive a personalized ranking provided by U.S. News College Compass and find out. Try it now

    Top Schools in North Carolina

    View the top schools in NC

    You can compare up to 25 schools at a time. Please remove a school before adding another.

    Close