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Chapel Hill, NCTest-optional~15% admit rate

University of North Carolina at Chapel HillSAT & ACT Scores

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1390–1530 on the SAT and 28–34 on the ACT.

Admitted-student score ranges

Each bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of admitted students. Aim for the upper end to be comfortably competitive.

SAT total1390 – 1530
40080012001600

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1390 and 1530 on the SAT total.

ACT composite28 – 34
1122436

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 28 and 34 on the ACT composite.

Test25th percentile75th percentile
SAT total13901530
ACT composite2834

What the “middle 50%” actually means

These are not cutoffs. The 25th percentile (1390 SAT / 28 ACT) means a quarter of admitted students scored at or below it, and the 75th percentile (1530 SAT / 34 ACT) means a quarter scored at or above it. Half of admitted students land inside the range — and students are admitted both below and above it every year, because scores are only one part of the application.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is test-optional

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1390 SAT / 28 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest answers about SAT and ACT scores for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, from the data above.

What SAT score do I need for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?+
There is no fixed cutoff. The middle 50% of recently enrolled University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students scored between 1390 and 1530 on the SAT, so a competitive target is around 1530 (the 75th percentile). A score near 1460 would sit close to the middle of admitted students.
Is a 1390 SAT good enough for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?+
A 1390 sits at roughly the 25th percentile — about a quarter of enrolled students scored at or below it, so it is within range but on the lower end. Admitted students at that level typically stand out in other ways (grades, rigor, essays, activities). Aiming closer to 1530 gives you more margin.
What ACT score do I need for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?+
The middle 50% of recently enrolled students scored 28–34 on the ACT. A composite around 34 would place you near the top of that range; 28 is roughly the 25th percentile.
Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill test-optional or test-required?+
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1390 SAT / 28 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Know your score before you apply

See where you stand against University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's ranges today, then build a plan to close the gap. The full-length adaptive diagnostic is free — no account needed to start.

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Score ranges describe the middle 50% of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s admitted students (Fall 2024 entering class (CDS 2024–2025)); they are not admission cutoffs or guarantees. A test score is required only for applicants with a weighted high-school GPA below 2.8; for the realistic applicant pool, testing is effectively optional. Figures are compiled from official Common Data Set and college sources and may differ slightly from the most recent cycle — always confirm with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s admissions office.

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