UNC admissions get competitive fast, with a 16.8% first-year acceptance rate for fall 2023 and 57,256 applications channeled into a class of 4,809. At the same time, academic profiles look extremely concentrated, including 98% of admits in the top 10% of their high school class and a middle 50% SAT range of 1350 to 1530 for enrolled students. The gap between who applies and who enrolls is where the most useful tension shows up, especially when test-optional patterns, yield rates, and in state versus out of state averages are all considered together.
Key Takeaways
- 75% of admitted first-years had unweighted GPA of 4.0 or higher for Class of 2027.
- Middle 50% SAT for enrolled Class of 2027: 1350-1530.
- ACT middle 50%: 30-34 for UNC first-years 2023.
- UNC first-year acceptance rate for fall 2023: 16.8% with 9,625 admits from 57,256 apps.
- In-state first-year acceptance rate: 40.3% for fall 2023.
- Out-of-state first-year acceptance rate: 10.1% in 2023.
- In fall 2023, UNC Chapel Hill received 57,256 applications for first-year undergraduate admission.
- For the Class of 2027, UNC saw a 10.5% increase in applications from the previous year, totaling 56,711 submissions.
- Out-of-state applications to UNC rose by 12% in 2023, comprising 43,248 of total first-year apps.
- First-year class enrolled: 4,809 students for fall 2023.
- Yield rate overall: 49.9% (4,809 enrolled from 9,625 admits).
- In-state yield: 62.1% for 2023 admits.
- In the fall 2023 incoming class, 50.8% of UNC first-year students identified as white.
- Black/African American first-year students: 10.2% of Class of 2027.
- Hispanic/Latino representation: 9.8% among UNC 2023 enrollees.
With a 16.8% admit rate, UNC’s 2023 first years excel academically, averaging 4.7 weighted GPA.
Related reading
01 · Category
Academic Metrics26 stats
01
75% of admitted first-years had unweighted GPA of 4.0 or higher for Class of 2027.
02
Middle 50% SAT for enrolled Class of 2027: 1350-1530.
03
ACT middle 50%: 30-34 for UNC first-years 2023.
04
98% of admits ranked in top 10% of high school class.
05
Average weighted GPA: 4.7 for Class of 2028 enrollees.
06
AP/IB courses average: 8.2 per admitted student 2023.
07
Test-optional submitters: 65% submitted SAT/ACT anyway in 2023.
08
Average SAT Math: 710 (middle 50% 680-770) for 2023 class.
09
Average SAT EBRW: 690 (middle 50% 660-740).
10
In-state average GPA: 4.65 weighted for admits.
11
Out-of-state average GPA: 4.82 weighted 2023.
12
UNC Law School median LSAT: 166 for 2023 entering class.
13
Median undergrad GPA for UNC Law: 3.84.
14
Kenan-Flagler MBA average GMAT: 704.
15
GRE average for MBA: 162 Quant, 161 Verbal.
16
School of Medicine average MCAT: 512.3 for 2023 class.
17
Average science GPA for med school: 3.72.
18
Transfer student average GPA: 3.85 for admission.
19
92% of first-years took 4+ years math in HS.
20
Foreign language proficiency: 95% 4+ years.
21
Science courses average: 4.1 years for admits.
22
Social studies: 3.8 years average per admit.
23
English: 4.2 years for 97% of Class of 2027.
24
Honors/AP scholars: 85% of enrolled first-years.
25
National Merit Scholars enrolled: 142 in 2023 class.
26
Valedictorians/Salutatorians: 312 in Class of 2027.
Interpretation
Academic Metrics Interpretation
To get into UNC, it's not enough to merely excel; you must essentially have been running a small, accredited honors academy within your high school, complete with an advanced curriculum and a publishing deal for your valedictory speech.
02 · Category
Admission Rates23 stats
01
UNC first-year acceptance rate for fall 2023: 16.8% with 9,625 admits from 57,256 apps.
02
In-state first-year acceptance rate: 40.3% for fall 2023.
03
Out-of-state first-year acceptance rate: 10.1% in 2023.
04
Early Action admit rate: 24.7% for Class of 2028 (7,775 admits from 31,420 apps).
05
Transfer acceptance rate: 45.2% with 1,904 admits from 4,213 apps in 2022.
06
UNC overall undergraduate admit rate averaged 17.3% over 2019-2023.
07
School of Medicine MD acceptance rate: 3.8% (172 admits from 7,246 apps in 2023).
08
Kenan-Flagler full-time MBA admit rate: 33.4% (982 admits from 2,941 apps).
09
Graduate School overall admit rate: 24.6% for 2022-2023 cycle.
10
In-state transfer admit rate: 78.6% for fall 2022.
11
International undergrad admit rate: 8.2% in 2023.
12
UNC Law School JD admit rate: 22.1% (712 from 3,215 apps).
13
Gillings MPH admit rate: 41.7% for 2023.
14
First-gen admit rate: 19.5% compared to overall 16.8% in 2023.
15
Homeschool admit rate: 28.4% for qualified applicants in 2023.
16
Legacy applicant admit rate boost: approximately 5-7% higher than average.
17
UNC Dental School DDS admit rate: 6.9% (137 from 1,982 apps).
18
Pharmacy PharmD admit rate: 12.4% (181 from 1,456 apps).
19
Fall 2020 admit rate dropped to 22% due to app surge.
20
Female first-year admit rate: 17.2% vs male 16.4% in 2023.
21
Yield rate for first-year admits: 51.4% for Class of 2027.
22
Regular Decision admit rate: 12.3% after Early Action deferrals.
23
UNC test-optional admit rate unchanged at 16.8% in 2023.
Interpretation
Admission Rates Interpretation
While these numbers suggest that UNC loves its home state students, homeschoolers, and determined transfers, everyone else should consider their acceptance letter a victory on par with winning a very competitive and slightly academic lottery.
03 · Category
Application Numbers30 stats
01
In fall 2023, UNC Chapel Hill received 57,256 applications for first-year undergraduate admission.
02
For the Class of 2027, UNC saw a 10.5% increase in applications from the previous year, totaling 56,711 submissions.
03
Out-of-state applications to UNC rose by 12% in 2023, comprising 43,248 of total first-year apps.
04
In-state applicants numbered 14,008 for fall 2023 first-year admission at UNC.
05
Early Action applications reached 31,420 for UNC's Class of 2028.
06
Total graduate applications to UNC in 2022-2023 academic year: 38,942 across all programs.
07
UNC's School of Medicine received 7,246 applications for 2023 MD class.
08
Kenan-Flagler Business School MBA apps: 2,941 in 2023 cycle.
09
Fall 2022 transfer applications to UNC: 4,213.
10
International student apps to UNC undergrad: 8,756 for 2023.
11
UNC Hussman School of Journalism apps: 412 for 2023 master's programs.
12
Gillings School of Global Public Health PhD apps: 1,023 in 2023.
13
2021-2022: UNC total apps across all levels exceeded 90,000.
14
First-year apps from North Carolina public high schools: 9,847 in 2023.
15
Apps via Common App to UNC: 54,231 for 2023 cycle.
16
Legacy applicant applications: approximately 2,500 for Class of 2027.
17
First-gen college student apps: 12,340 in fall 2023.
18
Homeschooled applicant submissions: 1,248 to UNC 2023.
19
Military/veteran dependent apps: 456 for 2023 undergrad.
20
Apps from UNC system schools transfers: 2,104 in 2022.
21
Dental School apps to UNC: 1,982 for 2023 class.
22
Law School JD apps: 3,215 in 2023 cycle.
23
Pharmacy School apps: 1,456 for 2023 entering class.
24
Fall 2020 apps surged 15% to 42,617 amid COVID.
25
2023 apps from California: 4,120.
26
Apps from New York state: 3,892 for 2023 first-year.
27
Female applicant apps: 32,147 out of 57,256 in 2023.
28
Male applicant apps: 25,109 in fall 2023.
29
Apps deferred from Early Action: 8,942 for Class of 2027.
30
Total apps to UNC Online programs: 12,340 in 2022-23.
Interpretation
Application Numbers Interpretation
UNC Chapel Hill’s mountain of applications reveals a truth both flattering and fierce: the nation is clamoring for a seat, but it's clear that getting into this coveted Carolina classroom is becoming a statistical high-wire act over a sea of hopefuls.
More related reading
04 · Category
Enrollment and Yield22 stats
01
First-year class enrolled: 4,809 students for fall 2023.
02
Yield rate overall: 49.9% (4,809 enrolled from 9,625 admits).
03
In-state yield: 62.1% for 2023 admits.
04
Out-of-state yield: 38.4% in fall 2023.
05
International yield: 32.7% for admitted students.
06
Total undergraduate enrollment: 20,210 in fall 2023.
07
Graduate/professional enrollment: 11,998 students 2023.
08
Transfer enrollment: 1,029 new transfers fall 2023.
09
Total university enrollment: 32,005 in 2023.
10
Freshman retention rate: 97.4% from fall 2022 to 2023.
11
4-year graduation rate: 73.7% for UNC undergrads.
12
6-year graduation rate: 91.2%.
13
Waitlist enrollment: 47 students from 2023 waitlist.
14
Housing guaranteed for all first-years: 100% occupancy rate.
15
Merit scholarship recipients: 842 first-years in 2023.
16
Need-based aid recipients: 2,145 first-years (44.6%).
17
Average aid package: $18,500for aided first-years.
18
100% of need met for in-state admits via aid.
19
Out-of-state average aid: $32,400per recipient.
20
Carolina Covenant participants: 450 new in 2023.
21
Total scholarships awarded: $45 million to first-years.
22
Loan-free graduation rate for low-income: 72%.
Interpretation
Enrollment and Yield Interpretation
North Carolinians leap at the chance to be Tar Heels, but for everyone else it's a more considered courtship, as the university brilliantly converts its high yield into students who not only arrive but overwhelmingly stay, thrive, and graduate—often without the shackles of debt.
05 · Category
Student Demographics26 stats
01
In the fall 2023 incoming class, 50.8% of UNC first-year students identified as white.
02
Black/African American first-year students: 10.2% of Class of 2027.
03
Hispanic/Latino representation: 9.8% among UNC 2023 enrollees.
04
Asian American first-year students: 11.7% in fall 2023.
05
Multiracial students: 6.4% of UNC incoming class 2023.
06
Female students comprised 58.3% of first-year class in 2023.
07
Male first-year enrollment: 41.7% for fall 2023.
08
First-generation college students: 16.5% of Class of 2027.
09
Pell Grant eligible students: 14.2% in incoming 2023 class.
10
In-state residents: 68.4% of UNC first-year class 2023.
11
Out-of-state students: 24.1%, international 7.5% in 2023.
12
UNC undergrad overall: 55% female, 45% male as of 2023.
13
American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.8% of first-year 2023.
14
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.1% in Class of 2027.
15
Unknown/non-reporting ethnicity: 3.7% fall 2023 enrollees.
16
LGBTQ+ identifying students: estimated 12% of undergrad population 2023.
17
Rural high school origins: 18.3% of Class of 2027.
18
Urban high school students: 42.6% in incoming class.
19
Suburban HS background: 39.1% of first-years 2023.
20
International students from China: 1,240 in undergrad 2023.
21
Students from India: 456 international undergrads 2023.
22
Transfer students demographics mirror first-year: 58% female.
23
Graduate student gender split: 54% female, 46% male 2023.
24
Undergrad veterans: 0.4% or 220 students in 2023.
25
Disability services registered students: 8.2% of undergrads.
26
Average age of first-year students: 18.3 years in 2023.
Interpretation
Student Demographics Interpretation
The student body paints a picture of a Carolina that is decidedly Southern, leaning female, and academically privileged, where the quest for a perfectly balanced mosaic reveals both earnest strides and the stubborn shadows of historical inequity.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Unc Admission Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/unc-admission-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Unc Admission Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/unc-admission-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Unc Admission Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/unc-admission-statistics.
Sources & references
24 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level