University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill Tuition and Fees

By Susan Guillory

(Last Updated – 01/2025)

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) is a top ranked public research university known for its academic excellence, rich history, and vibrant campus life. Founded in 1789 as the first public university in the U.S., UNC Chapel Hill offers 82 bachelor’s degree programs and highly regarded graduate schools, including business, law, and medicine. Often referred to as a “public ivy,” UNC Chapel Hill provides students with a dynamic learning environment, top-notch professors, and extensive research opportunities.

Total Cost of Attendance

Financial Aid

To help cover UNC tuition and other fees, 58% of students use some form of financial aid, which can include student loans, scholarships, or grants.

UNC Chapel Hill is need-blind, which means your ability (or lack thereof) to pay for your tuition will not be a factor in acceptance.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need or merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

When it comes to student loans, 18% of students take out federal loans and 10% take out private loans to help with UNC Chapel Hill tuition. The average private student loan is $7,725.

Private college loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or -affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for, since it generally has better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your tuition payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The cost for attending UNC for four years would be, based on 2023-24 numbers, $104,436 for students who live in North Carolina. This is lower than the average total four-year cost of attending a public university in the U.S. for in-state students, which is $115,360.

The projected four-year degree price at UNC for out-of-state students is $225,800. This is higher than the average cost of a four-year degree at a public university for an out-of-state student, which is $186,920.

Recommended: North Carolina Student Loan & Scholarship Information

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2023-24

•   Tuition and fees for in-state students: $8,989

•   Tuition and fees for out-of-state students: $39,330

Find out about student loan and scholarship information.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has some well-respected graduate programs. For the 2023-24 academic year, UNC tuition and fees for graduate school was $12,527 for in-state students and $30,819 for out-of-state students. There are graduate loans available to help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

The UNC cost per credit hour is $292.46 for in-state students and $1,634.50 for out-of-state students (note: these costs do not include student fees).

Campus Housing Expenses

Incoming freshmen are required to live on campus in one of the 11 residence halls or at Granville Towers.

Once you complete your first year on campus, there are many options off-campus near the school. You can rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment on your own or live with roommates in an apartment, duplex, or house. This resource will help you explore the off-campus options.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Acceptance Rate

With the UNC Chapel Hill acceptance rate at 19%, the school can be challenging to get into.

Admission Requirements

To apply to UNC you’ll need to fill out the Common Application. You’ll also need to submit a letter of recommendation and an official transcript and school report. UNC is generally test-optional. However, starting in 2025-26, students with a weighted high school GPA greater than or equal to 2.50 and less than 2.80 are required to submit a standardized test score (ACT or SAT).

The deadline for Early Action is October 15, with a decision given by January 31. The deadline for Regular Decision is January 15, with a decision by March 31. You can apply here .

SAT and ACT Scores

For the cohort of students who enrolled in Fall 2023, 29% opted to submit SAT scores and 34% opted to submit ACT scores. Here’s a look at those scores. (Note: the 25th percentile means that 25% of students scored at or below these scores; 75th percentile means 25% of students scored above these scores).

Popular Majors at UNC – Chapel Hill

UNC Chapel Hill offers more than 80 majors and minors. Here are some of the most popular majors at UNC.

1. Biology

Biology is the study of life, from the molecule and cell to the organism and ecosystem. UNC offers both a Bachelor’s of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) degree in biology. This BS program is designed for students who intend to continue graduate study in biological or health sciences.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 499

2. Interdisciplinary Studies

The interdisciplinary studies program is for students who are self-disciplined and crave to learn outside of the classroom. Students can create their studies around a theme, problem, or interest.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 466

3. Business Administration

After completing a Bachelor of Arts or Science in business administration, students will be able to analyze and make decisions about business, utilize communication skills, and work with team members.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 384

4. Computer Science

Computer science students will dive deep into concepts related to computer science as well as sharpen their critical thinking skills. They will also have the opportunity to learn from real-world experience in the field.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 340

5. Communications

Communications majors will learn communication theories and how to apply them to different professions. They will also learn how to analyze information and how it is communicated through different media forms.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 339

6. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

UNC Chapel Hill offers three degrees in exercise and sport science with these emphases: fitness professional, sport administration, and general.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 287

7. Political Science

In this program, students learn about politics in the West and around the world, and gain the skills necessary to evaluate and analyze political theories.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 223

8. Economics

UNC offers both a BA and BS in economics. Students will explore the principles and problems of modern economic life to prepare for either private employment, government employment, or graduate programs in economics, business administration, international studies, law, public policy, and other fields.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 221

9. Nursing

Through clinical experiences, students in this program develop the knowledge and skills needed to practice nursing in contemporary society.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 199

10. Mathematics

A BA or BS in mathematics at UNC will teach you core mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills, and prepare you for a master’s degree or for a profession in diverse math-related fields.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 128

Learn more about the fields of study you can major in at UNC here .

Graduation Rate

Here is the graduation rate for students who started attending UNC Chapel Hill in 2017:

•  4 years: 86%

•  6 years: 92%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Graduates from UNC Chapel Hill earn a median annual salary of $72,200, which is more than the median income for all graduates of four-year schools ($53,747).