Unc Chapel Hill Tuition 2026: Costs, Fees & Aid Guide

🎓 UNC Chapel Hill tuition 2026-2027 guide

UNC Chapel Hill Tuition 2026: Costs, Fees, Aid, Residency and Payment Guide

UNC Chapel Hill tuition depends on residency, credit load, housing plan, financial aid and whether a student is in a fixed tuition cohort. For Fall 2026 through Spring 2027, estimated undergraduate tuition for 12+ credits is $3,615 per semester for North Carolina residents and $23,736 per semester for nonresidents.

This guide answers Chapel Hill tuition, UNC in-state tuition, UNC out-of-state tuition, tuition per semester, annual cost, cost of attendance, FAFSA/CSS Profile codes, Tar Heel Guarantee, Carolina Covenant, payment plan, card fees, deadlines, Cashier contact and campus map.

$3,615

Estimated NC resident undergraduate tuition per semester for 12+ credits.

$23,736

Estimated nonresident undergraduate tuition per semester for 12+ credits.

$1,060.50

Estimated undergraduate student fees per semester for 12+ credits.

002974 / 5816

UNC Chapel Hill FAFSA code and CSS Profile code.

Quick answer: how much does UNC Chapel Hill cost in 2026-2027?

For 12+ credits, estimated tuition and fees are $4,675.50 per semester for North Carolina residents and $24,796.50 per semester for nonresidents.

For two semesters, estimated tuition and fees are $9,351 for residents and $49,593 for nonresidents before housing, food, books, travel and personal expenses.

Important pricing note: UNC’s aid cost-of-attendance page may show different tuition for returning fixed-tuition students. New Fall 2026 planning should start with the University Cashier’s Fall 2026-Spring 2027 estimated tuition table, then confirm in ConnectCarolina when the bill posts.

UNC Chapel Hill tuition guide quick navigation

UNC Chapel Hill undergraduate tuition and fees 2026-2027

The University Cashier lists estimated undergraduate tuition and fee rates by credit hours. Undergraduate tuition is capped at 12 credit hours per semester for degree-seeking students.

Estimated undergraduate tuition and fees: Fall 2026-Spring 2027
Credit load NC resident tuition Nonresident tuition Student fees Total tuition + fees
12+ credits $3,615.00 $23,736.00 $1,060.50 $4,675.50 resident / $24,796.50 nonresident
11 credits $3,313.75 $21,758.00 $1,058.00 $4,371.75 resident / $22,816.00 nonresident
10 credits $3,012.50 $19,780.00 $1,055.50 $4,068.00 resident / $20,835.50 nonresident
9 credits $2,711.25 $17,802.00 $1,053.00 $3,764.25 resident / $18,855.00 nonresident
6 credits $1,807.50 $11,868.00 $1,045.50 $2,853.00 resident / $12,913.50 nonresident
3 credits $903.75 $5,934.00 $1,038.00 $1,941.75 resident / $6,972.00 nonresident
1 credit $301.25 $1,978.00 $1,033.00 $1,334.25 resident / $3,011.00 nonresident

Annual tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students

Two-semester estimate for 12+ credits
Student type Annual tuition Annual fees Annual tuition + fees What this answers
North Carolina resident undergraduate $7,230 $2,121 $9,351 UNC Chapel Hill in-state tuition and fees.
Nonresident undergraduate $47,472 $2,121 $49,593 UNC Chapel Hill out-of-state tuition and fees.
Estimated rate warning: UNC notes tuition and fee rates are not final until approved by the UNC System Board of Governors. Always confirm the live bill in ConnectCarolina.

UNC Chapel Hill cost of attendance: full yearly budget

Cost of attendance includes more than tuition. It helps estimate total yearly cost before grants, scholarships, loans and work-study.

Why numbers may differ: UNC’s 26-27 aid budget below is listed for returning students admitted Fall 2025/Spring 2026. New Fall 2026 tuition estimates from the Cashier may differ because tuition cohorts and approvals can affect final billing.
UNC 2026-2027 in-state cost of attendance budget
Budget item Living on campus Living off campus Living with family With dependents
Tuition $7,020 $7,020 $7,020 $7,020
Fees $2,130 $2,130 $2,130 $2,130
Housing $9,168 $9,490 $3,634 $15,186
Food $6,702 $6,702 $2,104 $6,702
Books and supplies $638 $638 $638 $638
Travel $1,078 $1,078 $1,078 $1,078
Loan fees $56 $56 $56 $56
Personal $1,950 $1,950 $1,950 $1,950
Total $28,742 $29,064 $18,610 $34,760
UNC 2026-2027 nonresident cost of attendance budget
Budget item Living on campus Living off campus Living with family With dependents
Tuition $47,472 $47,472 $47,472 $47,472
Fees $2,130 $2,130 $2,130 $2,130
Housing $9,168 $9,490 $3,634 $15,186
Food $6,702 $6,702 $1,078 $6,702
Books and supplies $638 $638 $638 $638
Travel $2,050 $2,050 $2,050 $2,050
Loan fees $56 $56 $56 $56
Personal $1,950 $1,950 $1,950 $1,950
Total $70,166 $70,488 $60,034 $76,184
Estimated net cost = cost of attendance − UNC grants/scholarships − federal/state grants − outside scholarships + loans/work-study accepted

UNC Chapel Hill in-state vs out-of-state tuition: what changes?

Residency is the biggest cost difference at UNC Chapel Hill. North Carolina residents pay the resident rate; nonresidents pay a much higher tuition rate.

Resident vs nonresident tuition comparison
Question NC resident answer Nonresident answer What to do
Full-time semester tuition $3,615 $23,736 Confirm residency classification before comparing cost.
Semester tuition and fees $4,675.50 $24,796.50 Use this for bill planning before housing and meals.
Annual tuition and fees $9,351 $49,593 Use this for two-semester cost comparison.
Aid impact Tar Heel Guarantee may help eligible NC residents with tuition and mandatory fees. Need-based aid and scholarships may still apply. File FAFSA and CSS Profile by deadline.
Resident pricing tip: If you think your residency status is wrong, do not wait until the bill is due. Residency affects thousands of dollars in tuition.

UNC Chapel Hill financial aid: FAFSA, CSS Profile, grants and scholarships

UNC uses the FAFSA for federal financial aid and the CSS Profile for need-based University grants and scholarships for incoming students.

002974

UNC Chapel Hill FAFSA federal school code.

5816

UNC Chapel Hill CSS Profile code for University grant review.

March 1, 2026

Regular Decision and transfer Fall 2026 aid deadline.

Need met

UNC says it works to meet demonstrated need for first-degree, full-time students.

UNC Chapel Hill aid items students should know
Aid item What UNC says Student action
FAFSA Used to offer federal aid based on need and eligibility. Use UNC school code 002974.
CSS Profile Used for need-based University grants and scholarships for incoming students. Use CSS Profile code 5816 if seeking University need-based aid.
University grants Need-based aid may be offered through UNC funding. Submit required aid applications and documents by deadline.
Academic scholarships Deadlines depend on applicant type. Early Action students seeking academic scholarship consideration should meet the December 1, 2025 aid deadline.
Tar Heel Guarantee Last-dollar grant/scholarship funding can cover tuition and mandatory fees for eligible NC resident students. File aid forms and confirm NC residency eligibility.
Carolina Covenant Meets full financial need through grants, scholarships and Work-Study, with no loans, for qualifying students. Apply for aid and submit requested documents on time.
Work-study Earned by working; it is not an upfront bill credit. Use it for ongoing expenses, not as money already paid to the Cashier.
Loans May be part of an aid offer and must be repaid. Compare grant aid and payment plan options before borrowing.

Fall 2026 financial aid deadlines

UNC Chapel Hill incoming aid deadlines
Applicant type Deadline What is due?
Early Action, Fall 2026 December 1, 2025 FAFSA and CSS Profile for Academic Scholarships and Need-Based University Aid.
Regular Decision, Fall 2026 March 1, 2026 FAFSA and CSS Profile for Academic Scholarships and Need-Based University Aid.
Transfer applicant, Fall 2026 March 1, 2026 FAFSA and CSS Profile for Need-Based University Aid.
CCI laptop grant use deadline, Fall 2026 October 15, 2026 Applies to eligible incoming first-degree undergraduates who completed CSS Profile on time.

How to pay UNC Chapel Hill tuition: ConnectCarolina, payment plan and card fees

UNC bills students electronically. Students use ConnectCarolina to view charges, pay bills and manage student account access.

Open ConnectCarolina Log in to Student Center and review tuition, fees, housing, meal plan, aid credits and any prior balance.
Add authorized payer if needed A parent or other payer needs proper authorized payer access. Authorized User and Proxy access are separate.
Choose payment method Online payment options include bank payment and card payment. International students may use Flywire.
Compare card service fees Domestic card payments have a 3.0% non-refundable service fee. International card payments have a 4.25% fee.
Use Nelnet if monthly payments help UNC offers fall and spring installment plans through Nelnet. Summer and past-due charges are not eligible.
Save payment proof Keep bank confirmation, Nelnet plan details, Flywire tracking and UNC student account screenshots.
UNC Chapel Hill payment methods and fees
Payment option Official detail Best use
Nelnet payment plan Fall and spring only; minimum plan budget is $500. Use when you need monthly installments instead of paying all at once.
Nelnet due date Payments are due to Nelnet by the 1st of each month. Set reminders because payments can take up to 7 business days to post to UNC.
Fall / spring five-payment plan FAQ lists fall plan June-October and spring plan November-March, with $47 enrollment fee. Enroll early for more monthly payments.
Domestic card payment 3.0% non-refundable service fee, $3 minimum. Compare with bank payment before using a card.
International card payment 4.25% non-refundable service fee, $3 minimum. International bank transfer may be better depending on fees.
Returned payment $35 returned payment fee may apply. Check bank account number, routing number and available funds.
International wire UNC uses Flywire for international payments. Allow several business days for payment to reach the account.

UNC billing, due dates, holds and refund warnings

Tuition, fees and other charges are generally due before the first day of classes. Bills are issued electronically, and students receive monthly billing statements.

Billing and account rules students should know
Topic What UNC says What students should do
Billing method Bills are electronic and issued monthly. Check ConnectCarolina and UNC email regularly.
Due date rule Tuition, fees and charges are due prior to the first day of classes for the term. Do not wait until class begins to resolve the balance.
Financial aid deferment Students with full financial aid may have the due date extended until after scheduled aid disbursement. Confirm aid is pending and enough to cover the balance.
Payment plan due date Students with payment plans have the due date extended to the last day of the semester’s payment plan. After the final Nelnet due date, pay UNC directly.
Account holds Unpaid balances can lead to holds restricting registration, transcripts and diplomas. Contact the Cashier before the balance becomes past due.
Summer drops Summer refund rules depend on session timing. Check the specific session before dropping a class.
Refund warning: Dropping or withdrawing can affect both charges and financial aid. If aid is reduced after a drop, a student may owe money back even if the bill was previously covered.

UNC graduate tuition quick guide

Graduate and professional tuition varies by program. UNC says graduate tuition is usually assessed per credit hour and capped at full-time enrollment for most graduate programs, which is nine hours.

Graduate tuition planning basics
Question Answer Student action
Is graduate tuition the same as undergraduate? No. Graduate and professional programs have different tuition rates. Use the Cashier graduate tuition estimator for the exact program.
Is graduate tuition per credit? Usually yes, unless the program has special pricing. Check program, residency and number of hours.
What is full-time cap? For most graduate programs, tuition is capped at nine hours. Confirm if your program follows the standard calendar.
Can graduate students get aid? Graduate/professional students generally use FAFSA for federal student aid eligibility. Use UNC FAFSA code 002974 and select the correct aid year.

UNC Chapel Hill tuition contacts, address and map

Use the University Cashier for student account billing and payment. Use the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid for FAFSA, CSS Profile, grants, scholarships, loans, work-study and special circumstances.

University Cashier

Best for: tuition bill, payment, payment plan, card fees, holds, refunds, student account balance.

Office: SASB North, Suite 2215, 450 Ridge Road, Campus Box #1400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Phone: 919-962-1368

Fax: 919-962-1568

Email: cashier@unc.edu

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Office of Scholarships and Student Aid

Best for: FAFSA, CSS Profile, UNC grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, aid deadlines.

Office address: 111 Pettigrew Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Phone: 919-962-8396

Email: help@studentaid.unc.edu

Drop-in hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. EST

Phone hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. EST

Before contacting UNC: Keep your PID, term, credit hours, residency status, ConnectCarolina bill screenshot, payment receipt, FAFSA year, CSS Profile status and aid offer ready.

UNC Chapel Hill map

Student and parent checklist before paying Chapel Hill tuition

Confirm residency Resident tuition and nonresident tuition differ sharply. Check residency before comparing costs.
Check your credit load Undergraduate tuition is capped at 12 credits, but part-time totals differ by hours.
Compare tuition table with cost of attendance Tuition and fees are not the full cost. Add housing, food, books, travel and personal expenses.
File FAFSA and CSS Profile Use FAFSA code 002974 and CSS Profile code 5816 if seeking University need-based grants.
Set up authorized payer early Parents need proper access before using Nelnet or paying through student account tools.
Choose payment method carefully Card payments have service fees; payment plans need budget setup and can take several business days to post.

FAQs about UNC Chapel Hill tuition 2026

How much is UNC Chapel Hill tuition in 2026-2027?

For 12+ undergraduate credits, estimated tuition is $3,615 per semester for North Carolina residents and $23,736 per semester for nonresidents.

What are UNC Chapel Hill tuition and fees?

For 12+ credits, estimated tuition and fees are $4,675.50 per semester for residents and $24,796.50 for nonresidents.

How much is UNC Chapel Hill in-state tuition per year?

Estimated in-state undergraduate tuition is $7,230 for two semesters. With fees, estimated tuition and fees are $9,351.

How much is UNC Chapel Hill out-of-state tuition per year?

Estimated out-of-state undergraduate tuition is $47,472 for two semesters. With fees, estimated tuition and fees are $49,593.

What is UNC Chapel Hill cost of attendance?

UNC’s 2026-2027 in-state budget shows $28,742 living on campus, $29,064 living off campus and $18,610 living with family. The nonresident on-campus budget is $70,166.

What is UNC Chapel Hill FAFSA code?

UNC Chapel Hill’s FAFSA code is 002974.

What is UNC Chapel Hill CSS Profile code?

UNC Chapel Hill’s CSS Profile code is 5816 for incoming students seeking need-based University grants and scholarships.

Does UNC Chapel Hill have a payment plan?

Yes. UNC offers a Nelnet monthly payment plan for fall and spring semesters. Summer and past-due charges are not eligible.

Does UNC Chapel Hill charge a credit card fee?

Yes. Domestic card payments have a 3.0% non-refundable fee with a $3 minimum. International card payments have a 4.25% non-refundable fee with a $3 minimum.

When are Fall 2026 UNC financial aid applications due?

Early Action aid applicants have a December 1, 2025 deadline. Regular Decision and transfer applicants seeking Fall 2026 aid have a March 1, 2026 FAFSA and CSS Profile deadline.

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