Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reports a middle 50% SAT of 1400 to 1530 (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 median 1470; 28% submitted SAT). We use 1460 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1400 to 1530 (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 median 1470; 28% submitted SAT) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 29 to 34 |
| GPA | 4.47 (weighted average, enrolled Fall 2025 (CDS C12)) |
| Acceptance rate | 16.7% (fall 2025, 76,247 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Required for some (weighted GPA below 2.8 needs SAT 930+ or ACT 17+) |
| Type | Public university |
Source: UNC Chapel Hill official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
Only 28% of UNC-CH enrollees submitted an SAT score, since a test is required only below a 2.8 weighted GPA.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| Duke University | 1510 to 1570 | 5.2% |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 1400 to 1530 | 16.7% |
| Wake Forest University | 1420 to 1490 | 20.8% |
| NC State University | 1310 to 1440 | 39.5% |
| UNC Charlotte | 1150 to 1340 | 77.8% |
| Appalachian State University | 1110 to 1270 | 93.9% |
| East Carolina University | 1060 to 1220 | 89.2% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for North Carolina Colleges.
North Carolina has no SAT-cutoff state scholarship; its best-known score-tied money is the competitive full-ride programs at NC State and UNC Charlotte.
Park Scholarships: Full tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel, and a computer for about 38 awarded students per class at NC State.
Levine Scholars: Full tuition, housing, meals, fees, summer and civic funding at UNC Charlotte for 22 scholars per class.
The full rules, deadlines and class years are on our North Carolina SAT prep page.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Tulane University | Louisiana | 1430 to 1500 |
| University of Maryland, College Park | Maryland | 1410 to 1520 |
| University of Virginia | Virginia | 1410 to 1520 |
| Georgetown University | District of Columbia | 1405 to 1530 |
A score that is competitive at UNC Chapel Hill lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Which of these numbers is your teen's target? Pick the North Carolina colleges on their list and get a target score and the gap from today's score in under a minute.
Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1400 to 1530. A score at or above 1530 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1400 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
UNC Chapel Hill lists its policy as: Required for some (weighted GPA below 2.8 needs SAT 930+ or ACT 17+). Check the official admissions page for your entry term before choosing test dates.
16.7% (fall 2025, 76,247 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for UNC Chapel Hill? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
Book the free Strategy Session. You leave with your teen's target score, their gap, and a 6 to 12 week plan. Yours to keep either way.
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