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North Carolina Colleges Admission Statistics

North Carolina Best Schools Compare All North Carolina Schools Tightest to Admit Highest SAT Scores NC Collegs by SAT score
Acceptance Rate 56.81%
Yield (Enrollment Ratio) 19.79%
Applicants 462,305
Admitted 262,625
Enrolled 51,985

Applying To North Carolina Colleges

The average acceptance rate is 56.81% at North Carolina colleges and universities, a total of 462,305 students applied and 262,625 were accepted. The average undergraduate application fees is $57 and the graduate application fees is $57. The following table presents the general admission information for applying to North Carolina colleges.
General Admission Information of North Carolina Colleges
Open Admission Policy98 out of 175 schools
Undergraduate Application Fees$57
Graduate Application Fees$57
Acceptance Rate56.81%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)19.79%
Test Scores1,140 SAT / 23 ACT

Acceptance Rates and Headcounts

For the academic year 2023-2024, total 462,305 students (188,859 men and 272,671 women) applied to and 262,625 (100,378 men and 161,862 women) students were accepted to admit North Carolina Colleges. Among them, 22,208 men and 29,745 women were enrolled into North Carolina schools.
The average acceptance rate is 56.81% and admission yield (enrollment rate) is 19.79%. The table below shows the North Carolina colleges admission statistics including admission and enrolment rates.
Admission Statistics for North Carolina Colleges (2023-2024)
TotalMenWomen
Applicants462,305188,859272,671
Admitted262,625100,378161,862
Enrolled51,98522,20829,745
Acceptance Rate 56.81% 53.15% 59.36%
Yield (Enrollment Rate) 19.79% 22.12% 18.38%
[Chart]North Carolina Colleges Average Acceptance Rate and Yield

Average SAT and ACT Scores

In North Carolina, 2 colleges require SAT and ACT score and 0 colleges recommend them to their applicant. In addition, 47 colleges consider the test score in selection process, while it is not required.
8,122 students (18.00%) submitted their SAT scores and 10,088 students (19.00%) submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees. For score submitters, SAT 75th percentile score is 1,236 and 25th percentile score is 1,044. For ACT scores, 75th percentile score is 26 and 25th percentile score is 20.
The following table shows the detailed SAT and ACT scores distribution of first-time enrolled students at North Carolina colleges and universities.
SAT and ACT Score Distribution at North Carolina Colleges
25th Percentile75th Percentile
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing527624
SAT Math517612
ACT Composite2026
ACT Math1924
ACT English1825
[Chart] SAT/ACT Distribution - North Carolina Colleges
[Chart] Average SAT Scores - North Carolina Colleges
[Chart] Average ACT Scores - North Carolina Colleges

Calendar System and Accepted Credits

In North Carolina State, 127 schools use semester calendar systems and 3 schools are based on quarter system. Next table lists the number of schools with their calendar systems.
Semester127 out of 175 schools
Quarter3 out of 175 schools
Trimester1 out of 175 schools
Four-one-four plan1 out of 175 schools
Other academic year2 out of 175 schools
Differs by program10 out of 175 schools
Continuous20 out of 175 schools
Un-Known/Other11 out of 175 schools
Next table describes credits that North Carolina colleges and universities are accepting for their students
Dual Credits120 out of 175 schools
Credits for Life Experiences76 out of 175 schools
Advanced placement (AP) Credits126 out of 175 schools
Credit for Military Training119 out of 175 schools

Application Requirements

58 North Carolina schools require High School GPA and 56 schools require High School Record (or Transcript). The test scores such as SAT and ACT are required by 2 North Carolina colleges. Next table summarizes the application requirements for applying to North Carolina colleges.
Admission Checklist for North Carolina Colleges
RequiredRecommended
High School GPA580
High School Rank40
High School Record (or Transcript)560
Completion of College Preparatory Program230
Recommendations140
Formal Demonstration of Competencies10
Admission Test Scores20
TOEFL460
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)30
Know about North Carolina Colleges