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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 57.4%
Yield (Enrollment Ratio) 16.77%
Applicants 570,649
Admitted 327,525
Enrolled 54,920

Applying To North Carolina Colleges

The average acceptance rate is 57.4% at North Carolina colleges and universities, a total of 570,649 students applied and 327,525 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 Policy96 out of 176 schools
Undergraduate Application Fees$57
Graduate Application Fees$57
Acceptance Rate57.4%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)16.77%
Test Scores1,181 SAT / 24 ACT

Acceptance Rates and Headcounts

For the academic year 2024-2025, total 570,649 students (228,235 men and 338,559 women) applied to and 327,525 (122,826 men and 202,987 women) students were accepted to admit North Carolina Colleges. Among them, 23,338 men and 31,461 women were enrolled into North Carolina schools.
The average acceptance rate is 57.40% and admission yield (enrollment rate) is 16.77%. The table below shows the North Carolina colleges admission statistics including admission and enrolment rates.
Admission Statistics for North Carolina Colleges (2024-2025)
TotalMenWomen
Applicants570,649228,235338,559
Admitted327,525122,826202,987
Enrolled54,92023,33831,461
Acceptance Rate 57.40% 53.82% 59.96%
Yield (Enrollment Rate) 16.77% 19.00% 15.50%
[Chart]North Carolina Colleges Average Acceptance Rate and Yield

Average SAT and ACT Scores

In North Carolina, 1 college requires SAT and ACT score and 0 colleges recommend them to their applicant. In addition, 41 colleges consider the test score in selection process, while it is not required.
7,054 students (15.00%) submitted their SAT scores and 10,538 students (19.00%) submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees. For score submitters, SAT 75th percentile score is 1,282 and 25th percentile score is 1,079. For ACT scores, 75th percentile score is 26 and 25th percentile score is 21.
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 Writing546650
SAT Math533632
ACT Composite2126
ACT Math1925
ACT English1926
[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 2 schools are based on quarter system. Next table lists the number of schools with their calendar systems.
Semester127 out of 176 schools
Quarter2 out of 176 schools
Trimester1 out of 176 schools
Four-one-four plan1 out of 176 schools
Other academic year2 out of 176 schools
Differs by program10 out of 176 schools
Continuous19 out of 176 schools
Un-Known/Other14 out of 176 schools
Next table describes credits that North Carolina colleges and universities are accepting for their students
Dual Credits120 out of 176 schools
Credits for Life Experiences76 out of 176 schools
Advanced placement (AP) Credits126 out of 176 schools
Credit for Military Training119 out of 176 schools

Application Requirements

55 North Carolina schools require High School GPA and 54 schools require High School Record (or Transcript). The test scores such as SAT and ACT are required by 1 North Carolina colleges. Next table summarizes the application requirements for applying to North Carolina colleges.
Admission Checklist for North Carolina Colleges
RequiredRecommended
High School GPA550
High School Rank30
High School Record (or Transcript)540
Completion of College Preparatory Program220
Recommendations100
Formal Demonstration of Competencies10
Admission Test Scores10
TOEFL470
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)30
Know about North Carolina Colleges