University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

(UNC)

Chapel Hill, NCPublic Research University NCAA D1 Admissions

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the oldest public university in the United States, known for its outstanding value, top-ranked public health and journalism programs, and strong pre-med pipeline. Its beautiful campus and vibrant college town setting have made it one of the most popular public universities in the Southeast.

Mascot: Tar Heel

Notable Alumni

Michael Jordan (basketball legend)•Mia Hamm (soccer icon)•Andy Griffith (beloved TV actor)

At a Glance

Acceptance Rate

17%

SAT (Optional)

1310–1490

Avg GPA

4.00

Enrollment

20.1K

Setting

Small City

Founded

1789

Cost

Tuition (In-State)$9K

Tuition (Out-of-State)$38K

Room & Board$13K

Est. Annual Total (In-State)$22K

Est. Annual Total (Out-of-State)$51K

Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.

Top Programs & National Ranking

Communications / Journalism#10

Public Health#13

Business Administration#17

Nursing#17

Journalism#17

Pharmacy#17

Biology#22

English / Literature#22

Political Science#22

Education#22

Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.

Highlights

✦Outstanding in-state value

✦Hussman School of Journalism

✦Top public health program

Athletics

Division

NCAA Division 1

Conference

Atlantic Coast Conference

View on NCAA.com

Safety

Campus SafetySafe

UNC Police patrol campus around the clock with Blue Call Boxes throughout and a late-night transportation service. Incident rates are moderate for a large university, with most concerns related to property crime.

Neighborhood SafetyVery Safe

Chapel Hill is one of the safest college towns in the country, with violent crime rates significantly below the national average.

Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.