Getting into the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is basically a full-time job for high school seniors. You’ve probably heard the rumors. You’ve seen the TikToks. The pressure to be a "Tar Heel" is real, especially when you’re staring down the barrel of a standardized test.
So, let's talk numbers. Specifically, the average ACT score for UNC Chapel Hill.
If you just want the quick answer: the middle 50% of students who got into UNC recently scored between a 29 and 34. Honestly, that range is a bit of a moving target. Some years it dips, some years it climbs. For the class entering in Fall 2025, the university reported that middle 50% range stayed remarkably consistent at 29-34. But those numbers don't tell the whole story. Not even close.
Why the "Average" Is Kinda Misleading
People obsess over the "average," but at a school like UNC, the average is just a resting point between two very different worlds. You have to remember that UNC is a public university with a very specific mandate. By law, 82% of the undergraduate student body must be from North Carolina.
This creates a massive "selectivity gap."
If you're an in-state student, a 29 or 30 on the ACT is a solid, competitive score. It doesn't guarantee you a spot—nothing does—but you're in the conversation. However, if you’re applying from out-of-state? That 29 might as well be a 19. For out-of-state applicants, the "effective" average is often 33 or 34. The acceptance rate for non-residents is notoriously low, sometimes hovering around 8% to 10%, compared to nearly 40% for North Carolinians.
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The Test-Optional Twist for 2025 and 2026
UNC has been playing a bit of "will they, won't they" with standardized tests lately. For the 2025-2026 application cycle, the university remained test-optional for most.
But there is a catch.
The UNC Board of Governors changed the rules. Now, if your weighted GPA is below a 2.8, you must submit a test score. For those with a GPA above that threshold, submitting a score is still technically optional. But "optional" is a loaded word in admissions.
About 34% of applicants still submit an ACT score. Why? Because a 33 on your application says something that a GPA sometimes can't. It's a data point. It’s "proof" of academic rigor in a world where grade inflation is rampant. If you have the score, you use the score.
A Breakdown of the Scores
If we look at the sub-scores, the numbers get even more intense.
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- ACT English: The middle 50% range is typically 30–35.
- ACT Math: Usually sits slightly lower, between 27–33.
- ACT Reading/Science: These generally mirror the composite range of 29-34.
Notice that English score? A 35 is nearly perfect. UNC is a liberal arts powerhouse, and they clearly value students who can write and analyze text with high precision. If your math score is a 27 but your English is a 35, you're actually a very "UNC-shaped" applicant.
Is a 30 Good Enough?
I get this question a lot. "I got a 30, should I submit it?"
Well, it depends on where you live. If you're from a rural county in North Carolina where the average ACT at your high school is a 19, a 30 makes you a superstar. It shows you’ve maximized your environment. If you’re applying from a wealthy suburb in New Jersey or a private school in Charlotte where everyone has a tutor, a 30 might actually hurt you.
UNC uses "holistic review." They aren't just looking at the number; they're looking at the number in context. They want to see that you're one of the top performers in your specific pond.
The GPA Reality Check
You can't talk about the average ACT score for UNC Chapel Hill without mentioning GPAs. They go together like biscuits and gravy.
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The average weighted GPA for admitted students is often north of 4.4. Basically, if you aren't taking almost every AP or IB course your school offers, you're behind. Last year, nearly 95% of the incoming class had a GPA of 4.0 or higher. If your ACT is on the lower end—say, a 28—you absolutely must have a GPA that screams "I never miss an assignment."
How to Handle Your Scores Right Now
If you are sitting on an ACT score and trying to decide whether to hit "send" on that Common App, here is how you should actually think about it:
- Check the Percentiles: If your score is a 32 or higher, send it. No questions asked. It puts you in the top half of their typical pool.
- The 25th Percentile Rule: If you are below a 29, and your GPA is strong, you might want to go test-optional. A 27 could potentially "drag down" the academic profile on your application if the rest of your stats are near-perfect.
- Superscoring: UNC does superscore the ACT. This is huge. If you got a 32 in Math in June and a 34 in English in September, they’ll combine them. Take the test more than once. There is zero reason not to.
- The Out-of-State Tax: If you aren't from NC, aim for a 33+. The competition is just too fierce to leave any doubt about your testing ability.
The 2026 landscape is changing, and the university is moving back toward requiring scores for more students in the future. For now, the average ACT score for UNC Chapel Hill remains a benchmark, not a boundary. Use it to gauge your standing, but don't let a 28 stop you from applying if the rest of your story—your essays, your service, your leadership—is undeniable.
To maximize your chances, focus on hitting that 31+ range while maintaining a heavy course load of AP or Dual Enrollment classes. If you're below the 29 mark, prioritize your supplemental essays to show the admissions committee the person behind the numbers.