University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill SAT & ACT Scores
For fall 2027, most applicants to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill can choose whether to send the SAT or ACT; only students below a set GPA must submit a score. Enrolled first-years who reported the SAT had a middle 50% range of 1400–1530, and ACT reporters had a range of 29–34. Carolina admitted 16.7% of 76,247 first-year applicants for its fall 2025 entering class.
Where does your score land?
Compared with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
UNC Chapel Hill does not require the SAT or ACT from fall 2027 applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher (or above a B+ average); applicants below a 2.8 weighted GPA must submit an ACT of 17+ or an SAT of 930+.
Superscoring. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 29, 2026 on University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- Fall 2025 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional (required below a 2.8 weighted gpa)
The rule comes from the UNC System. Students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above on a 4.0 scale do not have to submit a test score. Students below that line must send either an ACT of 17 or higher or an SAT of 930 or higher. If your school does not report a weighted 4.0 GPA, an average above a B+ also exempts you, and international students in Cambridge-style systems are judged on their A-level or external exam grades. The GPA-based rule has applied since students entering in fall 2025.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1400–1530, and the median was 1470.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1400 | 1470 | 1530 |
| Reading & Writing | 690 | 730 | 750 |
| Math | 700 | 750 | 780 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 28% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
For the fall 2025 entering class, the middle 50% of enrolled first-years who reported the SAT scored 1400–1530. The 25th percentile was 1400, the median was 1470 and the 75th percentile was 1530. The Reading and Writing range was 690–750 and the Math range was 700–780.
28% of enrolled first-years submitted SAT scores. That share is smaller than at a school that requires testing, because most applicants could leave scores out. The range describes students who chose to share an SAT, not the whole class.
Carolina says testing is one factor among many and is never the sole or dominant reason for a decision. A superscore at or above 1470 sits in the upper half of enrolled reporters. If yours is well below 1400 and your GPA clears the cutoff, you can apply without it.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 29–34 on the ACT, with a median of 32.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 29 | 32 | 34 |
| English | 27 | — | 35 |
| Math | 28 | — | 35 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 41% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
For the fall 2025 entering class, 41% of enrolled first-years submitted ACT scores. Their middle 50% composite was 29–34, with a median of 32. The English range was 27–35 and the Math range was 28–35.
Carolina calculates the ACT composite from English, Math and Reading and superscores those sections across test dates. A composite at or above 32 puts you in the upper half of enrolled ACT reporters, and one at or above 34 puts you in the top quarter.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill acceptance rate
Very competitive: 16.7% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants76,247
- Admitted12,751
- Acceptance rate16.7%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Non-binding, non-restrictive Early Action; no Early Decision.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2025–26 Common Data Set.
If you do share scores, Carolina uses only the scores you self-report, superscores across test dates, and asks for official scores only if you enroll. The ACT composite is built from English, Math and Reading; Science is reviewed if you report it but isn't required. UNC offers non-binding Early Action and Regular Decision, with no Early Decision round.
What to aim for
If you plan to share scores, aim for an SAT at or above 1530 or an ACT at or above 34, which would place you in the top quarter of enrolled students who reported them. Scores near the median can still support an application. If your GPA is below the UNC System line, you must send a score, so plan your test dates early enough to meet the score deadline for your round.
Carolina admitted 16.7% of applicants overall, but its Common Data Set shows North Carolina residents are admitted at a much higher rate than out-of-state and international applicants, so the overall rate is only a rough guide. Admissions readers look first at grades and course rigor, and most successful applicants have well above a B+ average in their core courses. Scores add context; they do not decide the outcome on their own.
How University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston College | 16.2% | 1500 | 1460–1520 | 33–35 | Test-optional |
| University of Michigan - Ann Arbor | 16.4% | 1470 | 1370–1530 | 32–34 | Test-optional |
| Wesleyan University | 16.4% | — | — | 34–35 | Test-optional |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 16.7% | 1470 | 1400–1530 | 29–34 | Test-optional |
| University of Virginia | 17% | — | — | 32–35 | Test-optional |
| University of Miami | 17.6% | 1400 | 1350–1450 | 30–33 | Required |
Frequently asked questions
Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: UNC Chapel Hill does not require the SAT or ACT from fall 2027 applicants with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher (or above a B+ average); applicants below a 2.8 weighted GPA must submit an ACT of 17+ or an SAT of 930+. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1470 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1400–1530, so a quarter scored 1530 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
A score at or above 1530 puts you in the top quarter of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's enrolled first-years, and 1400–1530 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 29–34, with a median of 32 (fall 2025 entering class). A 34 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's acceptance rate?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admitted 16.7% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (12,751 of 76,247), which makes it very competitive.
How many University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 28% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 41% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.