University of North Carolina at Charlotte: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Charlotte, North Carolina · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public university in Charlotte, North Carolina that admits about 80% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $15,435 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Computer Science, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 69% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of North Carolina at Charlotte admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 80%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1240 and an ACT composite around 24. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,435 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
60% of enrolled students at University of North Carolina at Charlotte had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.55, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of North Carolina at Charlotte weight in admissions?
University of North Carolina at Charlotte reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
SAT and ACT scores University of North Carolina at Charlotte typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 605. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–28. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1150 |
| 50th percentile | 1240 |
| 75th percentile | 1320 |
| % submitting SAT | 15% |
| 25th percentile | 21 |
| 50th percentile | 24 |
| 75th percentile | 28 |
| % submitting ACT | 25% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 16% |
| Top 25% of class | 45% |
| Top 50% of class | 84% |
| % submitting class rank | 57.33% |
How much does University of North Carolina at Charlotte actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,239 for in-state students and $22,492 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,458 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $15,435 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 34% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $3,812 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,066 |
| Room and board | $14,458 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $15,435 |
| Application fee | $75 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of North Carolina at Charlotte
| Regular deadline | 6/1 |
| Notification date | 1-Nov |
| Reply deadline | 1-May |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
These predict outcomes at University of North Carolina at Charlotte better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of North Carolina at Charlotte, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Computer Science, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services. Across all programs, University of North Carolina at Charlotte confers roughly 2,777 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Computer Science program report a median income of about $93,475 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 593 | $93,475 |
| Psychology, General | 396 | $49,269 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 380 | $78,144 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 354 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 311 | $53,309 |
| Biology, General | 267 | $59,911 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 246 | $53,251 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 230 | $64,203 |
Is University of North Carolina at Charlotte safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of North Carolina at Charlotte disclosed 34 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 7 violent offenses and 14 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
About 25% of undergraduates at University of North Carolina at Charlotte live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 6% of men join a fraternity and 8% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in North Carolina parents ask about
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro89% acceptance
- Davidson College13% acceptance
- Elon University66% acceptance
- High Point University75% acceptance
- Duke University6% acceptance
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill15% acceptance
- Wake Forest University22% acceptance
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh42% acceptance
Next steps for University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Common questions parents ask about University of North Carolina at Charlotte
What GPA do I need for University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
60% of enrolled students at University of North Carolina at Charlotte had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.55, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of North Carolina at Charlotte typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–670, with an EBRW midpoint near 605. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–28.
How much does University of North Carolina at Charlotte actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of North Carolina at Charlotte after grants and scholarships is $15,435 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,239 and $22,492 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of North Carolina at Charlotte realistic for my child?
University of North Carolina at Charlotte admits 80% of applicants, so 570–670 SAT Math is target range and below 570 is a reach. Then check the $15,435 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
University of North Carolina at Charlotte accepts about 80% of applicants out of roughly 23,887 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of North Carolina at Charlotte test-optional?
Yes. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
About 69% of students at University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduate within six years. 85% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of North Carolina at Charlotte look for in applicants?
University of North Carolina at Charlotte rates course rigor, GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of North Carolina at Charlotte a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
What are the most popular majors at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of North Carolina at Charlotte by annual graduates are Computer Science, Psychology, General and Finance and Financial Management Services. The school awards about 2,777 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of North Carolina at Charlotte safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of North Carolina at Charlotte reported 34 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of North Carolina at Charlotte?
At University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 25% of undergraduates live on campus, 6% of men are in fraternities, 8% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers