University of North Carolina Tuition and Fees 2026: In-State, Out-of-State, Aid and Payment Guide
Most students searching for University of North Carolina tuition want the real price quickly: in-state tuition, out-of-state tuition, fees, room and board, total cost, payment options, and whether financial aid can lower the bill.
For UNC-Chapel Hill 2026-2027, the official cost budget shows $28,742 for an in-state undergraduate living on campus and $70,166 for an out-of-state undergraduate living on campus. Full-time semester tuition for students entering Fall 2026 is estimated at $3,615 for NC residents and $23,736 for non-residents.
Estimated full-time NC resident undergraduate tuition for Fall 2026.
Estimated full-time non-resident undergraduate tuition for Fall 2026.
Estimated full-time undergraduate student fees for Fall 2026.
2026-2027 on-campus cost of attendance: in-state / out-of-state.
Quick answer: what should families budget for UNC-Chapel Hill?
For 2026-2027, use $28,742 as the in-state on-campus undergraduate budget and $70,166 as the out-of-state on-campus undergraduate budget.
If you only need tuition and fees, a full-time undergraduate entering Fall 2026 should plan around $4,675.50 per semester as an NC resident and $24,796.50 per semester as a non-resident before housing, food, books, travel, personal expenses, and health insurance.
University of North Carolina tuition guide quick navigation
UNC-Chapel Hill tuition and fees 2026-2027: official undergraduate cost breakdown
UNC cost has two layers: direct charges that usually appear on the student bill and estimated costs used for financial aid budgeting.
The official cost-of-attendance budget below is based on full-time enrollment of 12 or more credit hours.
| Cost item | NC resident | Non-resident | What students should know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $7,020 | $47,472 | Annual tuition in the aid budget. New Fall 2026 semester rates may differ by cohort/tuition guarantee. |
| Fees | $2,130 | $2,130 | Required student fees used in the annual cost budget. |
| Tuition + fees | $9,150 | $49,602 | Best quick answer for “UNC tuition and fees.” |
| Housing | $9,168 | $9,168 | On-campus housing estimate in the aid budget. |
| Food | $6,702 | $6,702 | Meal/food estimate. |
| Room and board | $15,870 | $15,870 | Housing + food. |
| Books and supplies | $638 | $638 | Estimated course materials. |
| Travel | $1,078 | $2,050 | Non-resident travel estimate is higher. |
| Loan fees | $56 | $56 | Included when a student’s aid offer includes loans. |
| Personal expenses | $1,950 | $1,950 | Daily living estimate. |
| Total cost of attendance | $28,742 | $70,166 | Best full-year planning number before grants, scholarships, loans, and family payments. |
| Semester item | NC resident | Non-resident | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition, 12+ credit hours | $3,615.00 | $23,736.00 | Full-time max semester rate from UNC Cashier estimated undergraduate rates. |
| Student fees | $1,060.50 | $1,060.50 | Estimated full-time semester student fees. |
| Tuition + fees per semester | $4,675.50 | $24,796.50 | Useful for students asking “UNC tuition per semester.” |
| Simple annualized estimate | $9,351.00 | $49,593.00 | Fall + spring tuition and fees estimate; actual bill can vary by cohort, program, aid, housing, meal plan, and fees. |
Popular University of North Carolina tuition searches answered fast
These are the exact questions students and parents usually search before applying, paying, or comparing UNC with another college.
University of North Carolina tuition fees
NC resident: about $9,150 per year in the 2026-2027 cost budget.
Non-resident: about $49,602 per year in the 2026-2027 cost budget.
UNC in-state tuition and fees
On the 2026-2027 aid budget, in-state tuition is $7,020 and fees are $2,130.
Students entering Fall 2026 should also check cohort-specific billing in ConnectCarolina.
UNC out-of-state tuition and fees
On the 2026-2027 aid budget, out-of-state tuition is $47,472 and fees are $2,130.
Total on-campus non-resident cost is about $70,166 before aid.
UNC tuition per semester
For students entering Fall 2026, estimated full-time tuition is $3,615 for NC residents and $23,736 for non-residents.
Estimated full-time student fees are $1,060.50 per semester.
UNC room and board
For on-campus students, housing is $9,168 and food is $6,702.
Room and board together are about $15,870.
UNC cost of attendance
In-state on campus: $28,742.
Out-of-state on campus: $70,166.
UNC tuition for international students
International students should plan around the full non-resident cost of attendance.
UNC Admissions says international students are not eligible for need-based financial aid.
UNC payment plan
UNC offers a Nelnet monthly payment plan for fall and spring semesters.
The minimum plan budget is $500, and payments are due by the 1st of each month.
UNC in-state vs out-of-state tuition: residency can change the price by thousands
UNC-Chapel Hill is a public university, so residency matters. North Carolina resident tuition is much lower than non-resident tuition.
To claim residency, students must apply through the North Carolina Residency Determination Service.
| Student type | Tuition answer | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina resident | Lower resident tuition may apply if RDS classifies the student as in-state. | Complete RDS and make sure the classification is correct before the term cut-off. |
| Out-of-state student | Non-resident tuition applies unless residency status changes through RDS. | Budget around the non-resident cost unless RDS says otherwise. |
| International student | Plan for non-resident cost of attendance. | Prepare for full cost, payment timing, currency transfer, and visa-related planning. |
| Current student seeking reclassification | Can apply through RDS if circumstances changed. | Contact RDS for determination and UNC Registrar for ConnectCarolina status questions. |
UNC financial aid: FAFSA, CSS Profile, deadlines and net price
Financial aid can lower what a student actually pays. UNC’s cost of attendance is the budget before grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, and family payments.
For UNC-Chapel Hill aid, students may need both the FAFSA and CSS Profile depending on the type of aid they want.
Use this school code for UNC-Chapel Hill federal aid.
UNC says both are needed to apply for financial aid at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Continuing students’ University aid consideration deadline.
UNC’s Net Price Calculator can estimate Fall 2026/Spring 2027 aid.
| Aid item | What it means | Action step |
|---|---|---|
| FAFSA | Used for federal aid and aid eligibility review. | Use UNC-Chapel Hill school code 002974. |
| CSS Profile | May be required for University need-based aid review. | Submit when UNC’s aid instructions require it. |
| ConnectCarolina To-Do List | UNC may request extra paperwork. | Check regularly and submit documents before the deadline. |
| Net Price Calculator | Estimates future aid for Fall 2026/Spring 2027. | Use it before judging UNC by sticker price alone. |
| International students | UNC says international students are not eligible for need-based aid. | Budget for full non-resident cost unless another funding source applies. |
How to pay UNC-Chapel Hill tuition online
UNC-Chapel Hill student billing is done online. Billing notifications go to the student’s University email, and authorized users can receive billing notifications if the student sets them up.
UNC payment plan: Nelnet monthly installments
UNC offers a monthly payment plan through Nelnet Campus Commerce for fall and spring semesters. It can help families spread tuition payments instead of paying the full semester balance at once.
| Payment plan question | Official detail | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Who handles the plan? | Nelnet Campus Commerce. | Students enroll through ConnectCarolina. |
| Minimum plan budget | $500. | Choose a realistic amount based on your billing statement. |
| Payment due date | Payments are due to Nelnet by the 1st of each month. | Set reminders because you still receive UNC billing statements. |
| Posting time | Payments may take up to 7 business days to appear on the UNC account. | Do not wait until the last due date. |
| Not eligible | Summer and past-due charges are not eligible for the payment plan. | Pay those directly to UNC if they remain due. |
| If balance remains | Pay UNC-Chapel Hill directly after final Nelnet payment. | Do not pay Nelnet after the last due date. |
International and wire payments: use the authorized UNC process
International students and families should avoid random payment vendors. UNC says it has partnered with Flywire for international payments, and Flywire is the only authorized vendor at this time.
Allows students to pay securely from any country and bank, generally in home currency where allowed by law.
Flywire lets families track payment from start to finish and access multilingual support.
UNC says payments through unauthorized vendors will not be accepted.
UNC Admissions says international students are not eligible for need-based financial aid.
Billing due dates, past-due balance and account problems
UNC billing statements are online. New charges are generally due the month after they are billed, and charges become past due after the original due date.
| Situation | What UNC says | Action step |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly billing notice | Students get a billing notification email, not an attached bill. | Log in to view the bill online. |
| New charges | New charges are due the month after they are billed. | Do not assume old due dates apply to new charges. |
| Payment plan | Due date can extend to the last day of the semester payment plan. | Stop paying Nelnet after the last payment date; pay UNC directly if a balance remains. |
| Full financial aid | Due date can extend until aid is scheduled to disburse. | Confirm aid disbursement and account activity in ConnectCarolina. |
| Sponsored students | Due date can extend while UNC bills the sponsor. | Make sure sponsor paperwork is complete early. |
| Account activity | Changes after billing show on account activity and next statement. | Check View Activity, not just the PDF bill. |
Health insurance, housing and meal-plan checks before paying
The tuition bill may not be the final cost. Housing, meal plan, health insurance, course fees, parking, orientation, and other charges can change what appears on the account.
UNC tuition documents note a mandatory student health insurance charge each semester, with waiver deadlines listed for fall and spring.
On-campus housing budget is $9,168 for the 2026-2027 undergraduate cost of attendance.
Food budget is $6,702 for on-campus students in the 2026-2027 aid budget.
UNC payment-plan sample budgets may include meal plan and Flex amounts, so compare them with your actual contract.
UNC tuition contacts, address and map
Use the Cashier for bills and payments. Use Scholarships and Student Aid for grants, FAFSA, CSS Profile, net price, and aid documents. Use Registrar/RDS for residency.
Best for: tuition bills, payment, refunds, student account balance, online payment issues, payment plan questions.
Best for: FAFSA, CSS Profile, aid offers, grants, loans, net price questions, missing aid documents.
Address: 111 Pettigrew Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
Phone: 919-962-8396.
Email: help@studentaid.unc.edu.
Drop-in hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00am-3:00pm EST.
Phone hours: Mon-Fri, 9:00am-4:00pm EST.
Best for: ConnectCarolina residency status questions after RDS decision.
Email: residency@registrar.unc.edu.
Registrar phone: 919-962-3954.
Best for: applying for in-state residency classification or appealing RDS decision.
Phone: 844-319-3640.
Email: rdsinfo@ncresidency.org.
UNC-Chapel Hill map
Use this map for general campus location. For office visits, confirm appointment rules and exact building location first.
Student and parent checklist before paying UNC tuition
FAQs about University of North Carolina tuition and fees 2026
How much is UNC-Chapel Hill in-state tuition for 2026-2027?
UNC’s 2026-2027 aid budget lists $7,020 in annual in-state tuition. For students entering Fall 2026, the estimated full-time semester tuition rate is $3,615.
How much is UNC-Chapel Hill out-of-state tuition for 2026-2027?
UNC’s 2026-2027 aid budget lists $47,472 in annual non-resident undergraduate tuition. For students entering Fall 2026, estimated full-time semester tuition is $23,736.
What are UNC tuition and fees together?
In the 2026-2027 cost budget, tuition and fees are $9,150 for in-state students and $49,602 for non-resident students.
What is UNC-Chapel Hill total cost of attendance?
For 2026-2027 undergraduate students living on campus, the cost of attendance is $28,742 for NC residents and $70,166 for non-residents.
What is UNC room and board?
For on-campus students in the 2026-2027 aid budget, housing is $9,168 and food is $6,702, making room and board about $15,870.
How much is UNC tuition per semester?
For undergraduates entering Fall 2026, estimated full-time semester tuition is $3,615 for NC residents and $23,736 for non-residents. Student fees are $1,060.50 per semester.
How do I qualify for UNC in-state tuition?
You must apply through the North Carolina Residency Determination Service. RDS determines whether you qualify as a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes.
Can international students receive need-based aid at UNC-Chapel Hill?
UNC Admissions says international students are not eligible for need-based financial aid and should be prepared to pay the full non-resident cost of attendance.
Does UNC-Chapel Hill accept credit cards for tuition?
Yes, credit and debit cards are accepted through the online payment system, but service fees apply. ACH payments from a U.S. bank have no service fee.
Does UNC-Chapel Hill offer a monthly payment plan?
Yes. UNC offers a Nelnet monthly payment plan for fall and spring. The minimum budget is $500, and payments are due by the 1st of each month.