
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest public university in the United States. UNC offers degrees in over 70 courses of study and is home to 13 professional schools and the College of Arts & Sciences. With a campus size of 729 acres, the university received 57,902 undergraduate applications in 2023, and had a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,880 students for the same year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of University | Public research university |
| Location | Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States |
| Year founded | 1789 |
| Year of first student enrollment | 1795 |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 19,939 (another source states 20,880 for fall 2023) |
| Campus size | 729 acres |
| Acceptance rate | 17% (another source states 18.7% for 2023) |
| Number of applications received in 2023 | 57,902 |
| Number of students accepted for enrollment in 2023 | 10,850 |
| Tuition cost for 2023 | $7,019 |
| Average yearly cost of room and board for 2023 | $12,254 |
| Average yearly cost of books and supplies for 2023 | $1,290 |
| Number of officially recognized student organizations | Over 550 |
| Number of intercollegiate sports teams | 28 |
| Number of NCAA team championships won | 51 |
| Number of individual national championships won | 52 |
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What You'll Learn

Total undergraduate enrollment: 20,880 (fall 2023)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC, UNC-Chapel Hill, or simply Carolina) is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1789, the university first began enrolling students in 1795, making it the oldest public university in the country.
UNC Chapel Hill is a highly-rated public university with a large student body. According to one source, the university has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,880 students as of fall 2023. However, another source states that the enrollment figure is 19,939, though it is unclear when this number was recorded.
The university received 57,902 undergraduate applications in 2023, a 2.77% increase from the previous year. Of these applicants, 10,850 were accepted, resulting in an 18.7% acceptance rate. The cost of tuition for the 2023 academic year was $7,019, with an average yearly cost of room and board of $12,254. The average cost of books and supplies for the same period was $1,290.
UNC Chapel Hill has a rich history and is known for its strong academics and student life. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, with over 550 officially recognized student organizations. The university's athletic teams, known as the Tar Heels, compete in 28 intercollegiate sports and have won numerous NCAA team and individual national championships. The university also provides support for lower-income students through initiatives like the Carolina Covenant, which offers admitted students the opportunity to graduate debt-free.
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Competitive admissions: 17-19% acceptance rate
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC, UNC-Chapel Hill, or simply Carolina) is a highly rated public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Chartered in 1789, it first began enrolling students in 1795, making it the oldest public university in the United States.
UNC Chapel Hill has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,880 students (as of fall 2023), with an acceptance rate of between 17% and 19%. The university received 57,902 undergraduate applications in 2023, of which 10,850 were accepted, giving an acceptance rate of 18.7%. However, one source states that UNC has an acceptance rate of 17%, while another reports that it is 19%.
UNC Chapel Hill is a large institution with a suburban campus spanning 729 acres. The university offers a wide range of academic programs, with popular majors including Communications, Biology, and Behavioral Sciences. The university also has a strong research focus, with researchers working across various disciplines to address pressing issues such as the opioid epidemic and using artificial intelligence for the greater good.
The university provides various financial support options for its students. For instance, the Carolina Covenant program offers lower-income students the opportunity to graduate debt-free. Starting in the fall of 2024, Carolina will cover the out-of-pocket costs for tuition and mandatory fees for North Carolina undergraduates from families earning less than $80,000 per year. Additionally, 18% of undergraduate students at UNC Chapel Hill received financial aid through loans in 2023. The average yearly cost of room and board at the university was $12,254 in 2023, with the cost of books and supplies averaging $1,290.
UNC Chapel Hill also has a vibrant student life, with over 550 officially recognized student organizations and athletic teams competing in 28 intercollegiate sports. The university's athletic teams are known as the Tar Heels and have achieved notable success, winning 51 NCAA team championships across eight different sports.
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Cost of attendance: $7,019 tuition, $12,254 room and board
The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) is a public university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It is a large institution with an enrollment of about 19,939 undergraduate students and a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,880 as of Fall 2023. The acceptance rate for the university is 17%, making admissions quite competitive.
The cost of attendance at UNC Chapel Hill includes tuition, room, and board. For students, the cost of attendance is an important consideration when planning their financial budget for university. The university offers various forms of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs, to help students meet the cost of attendance.
Tuition is a significant component of the cost of attendance, and at UNC Chapel Hill, tuition fees are determined by the Board of Governors and are subject to change each year. The university offers a "fixed tuition" rate for each incoming class of North Carolina resident undergraduates, which means that their tuition rate will remain unchanged during their first eight consecutive semesters of Fall and Spring enrollment. This provides financial predictability and stability for students and their families.
The tuition cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $7,019. This amount represents the base academic cost of taking classes and does not include additional expenses such as room and board, textbooks, or other mandatory fees. The tuition cost may vary for different programs and can include additional costs for specific courses or requirements.
Room and board is another significant expense for students, and at UNC Chapel Hill, the room and board costs are estimated at $12,254. This amount covers the cost of on-campus housing and meal plans. The university offers various housing options, including corridor or suite-style dorms, and encourages students to make their housing and meal plan choices before the beginning of the school year to ensure that their financial aid package can cover these expenses.
Overall, the cost of attendance, including tuition, room, and board, is a significant investment for students and their families. UNC Chapel Hill recognizes this and is committed to meeting the financial needs of its students. The university offers a range of financial aid options and support services to ensure that students can access the resources they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.
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Student opportunities: 550+ student organizations, 28 sports
The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC) offers a wide range of student opportunities, with over 550 student organizations and 28 varsity sports programs. With such a vast array of options, students can easily find their niche, pursue their passions, and enhance their campus experience.
Student Organizations
UNC Chapel Hill is committed to providing a holistic educational experience for its students, and this is reflected in the diverse range of student organizations available. These organizations cater to various interests, from academic-focused groups and research-oriented societies to cultural and artistic groups that celebrate diversity.
The university emphasizes leadership development, and student organizations provide a platform for students to develop leadership skills through workshops, mentorship programs, and hands-on experiences. They also offer invaluable networking opportunities, connecting students with like-minded peers, alumni, and industry professionals, which can lead to internships, jobs, and collaborative projects.
UNC Chapel Hill encourages intellectual discourse and collaborative work, and its student organizations create a dynamic and inclusive environment that fosters personal growth and the exchange of diverse perspectives.
Sports and Wellness
UNC Chapel Hill's athletic scene is vibrant and inclusive, with a focus on sportsmanship, teamwork, and well-being. The university sponsors 28 varsity sports programs, including 15 women's and 13 men's sports, giving students numerous opportunities to represent Carolina in intercollegiate competitions.
The Tar Heels have a proud history of athletic excellence, having won 50 NCAA team championships across eight different sports, including soccer, field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. Students can also participate in intramural sports, Campus Recreation's Sport Clubs program, or simply take advantage of the university's recreational facilities to stay active and pursue their fitness goals.
UNC Chapel Hill recognizes that wellness goes beyond physical fitness. They offer initiatives that support holistic well-being, including mental health resources, stress management programs, and outdoor adventure programs that take advantage of North Carolina's natural landscapes.
Financial Support
In addition to these opportunities, UNC Chapel Hill is committed to making education accessible. The Carolina Covenant program offers lower-income students the chance to graduate debt-free by covering out-of-pocket costs for tuition and mandatory fees for eligible North Carolina undergraduates.
With such a comprehensive range of student organizations, sports programs, and supportive initiatives, UNC Chapel Hill provides a rich and engaging environment for its over 20,000 students to thrive and pursue their passions.
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History: founded in 1789, oldest public university in US
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, also known as UNC Chapel Hill, was founded in 1789 and is the oldest public university in the United States. The university was chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly on December 11, 1789, and began instruction in 1795. UNC Chapel Hill was the first land-grant school in North Carolina.
UNC Chapel Hill has a rich history that dates back to the late 18th century. The site of the university, New Hope Chapel, was chosen for its ideal location and the "purity of the water, the salubrity of the air and the great healthfulness of the climate." The university opened in a single building, Old East, which is still in use today as a residence hall. Old East is the oldest building originally constructed for a public university in the United States. Slaves began clearing land to build the university in the summer of 1793, and the cornerstone was laid by David Davie, a political leader in revolutionary America, on October 12, 1793. The first student, Hinton James, arrived on February 12, 1795.
UNC Chapel Hill has a long history of academic excellence and innovation. By the early 19th century, the university had begun to move away from its original purpose of training leadership for the state and started to expand its curriculum. The university began giving equal importance to the natural sciences, and in 1818, the Department of Chemistry was founded.
The university also has a notable literary history. George Moses Horton, known as "the black bard of Chapel Hill," was the first North Carolinian to publish a book of literature. He delivered produce to the campus and began writing poems at the goading of the students. His poems provided a unique perspective on university life in Chapel Hill in the antebellum period.
Today, UNC Chapel Hill is a highly rated public university with a large student body of nearly 20,000 undergraduate students. The university is known for its world-class research and innovative programs, such as the Carolina Covenant, which offers lower-income students the opportunity to graduate debt-free. UNC Chapel Hill continues to be a leader in higher education, building on its strong foundation and centuries-old traditions.
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Frequently asked questions
As of fall 2023, 20,880 undergraduate students were enrolled at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. In 2023, the university received 57,902 undergraduate applications, out of which 10,850 were accepted.
The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill offers degrees in over 70 courses of study.
Students at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill can participate in over 550 officially recognized student organizations.











































