Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Pembroke, North Carolina
92.4% Acceptance Rate
University of North Carolina at Pembroke — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
92.4%Acceptance Rate
3.44Avg GPA
1015Avg SAT
$16,854Annual Cost
$43,407Grad Salary
47.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
92.4%
Avg GPA
3.44
Avg SAT
1015
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
975–1045
Avg Net Price
$9,918
Need-Based Aid
47.6% receive Pell
University of North Carolina at Pembroke (NC) is a public institution with a unique history and a focus on accessibility and community service. Admissions prioritize academic preparedness and a commitment to inclusivity. They look for students eager to contribute to a diverse campus that balances tradition with modern professional development.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Acceptance Rate
Admission at University of North Carolina at Pembroke is inclusive by design: 92.4% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 92.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.44 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.24 – 3.43
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.99
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of North Carolina at Pembroke follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of October 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 66 days left — International ? Spring
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UNCP reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
International ? Spring
October 1
International ? Fall
May 1
Fall (domestic, rolling until)
July 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UNCP GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UNCP is 3.44. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.14–3.44 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.64–3.84.UNCP GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.
Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.44 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.24 – 3.43
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.04 – 3.23
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.03
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Requires specific coursework pattern: 4 English, Algebra I/II/Geometry + 1 advanced math, 3 science (physical/biological/lab), 2 social studies (incl. U.S. history), 2 foreign language or college-prep courses
- Federally designated Native American Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI); roughly 12% American Indian enrollment, among the most diverse UNC-system campuses
- Transfer applicants under 21 with fewer than 24 completed credit hours are evaluated under freshman high school coursework and GPA/test-score standards
- Two-stage term deadlines: application due May 1 (fall)/Nov 1 (spring), supporting materials due June 1 (fall)/Dec 1 (spring)
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UNCP
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of North Carolina at Pembroke's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UNCP — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UNCP Without SAT or ACT?
UNCP considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Average SAT Score: 1015
Admitted students at University of North Carolina at Pembroke average a 1015 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1015 — Accessible
A 1015 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1045 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University of North Carolina at Pembroke allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 975? A retake is worth it at UNCP — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1015 | 975 | 1045 |
A score under 975 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1045+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1000
Can I get into University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) with a 1050 SAT?
At 1050, your SAT is squarely in UNCP's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UNCP
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
UNCP provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Meet the exact 4-3-2-2 coursework pattern, not just a general GPA
UNCP admission is built around a specific coursework checklist: 4 English, math through Algebra II/Geometry plus one advanced math course, 3 science (one year each physical/biological/lab), 2 social studies (including U.S. history), and 2 foreign language (or college-prep) courses. Confirm your transcript documents this exact pattern rather than assuming a generally strong GPA substitutes for a missing course category.
Understand UNCP's specific American Indian institutional identity when writing any optional materials
UNCP holds Native American Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) federal designation and has deep historical roots serving American Indian students in the Pembroke region - a genuinely distinctive institutional identity, not a diversity-statistic footnote. Applicants with relevant community ties or interest in American Indian studies should reference this specific institutional history rather than generic "diverse campus" language.
Transfer applicants under 21 with fewer than 24 credits: you're evaluated as a freshman, not a transfer
UNCP applies freshman-level high school course and GPA/SAT-ACT requirements to transfer applicants under 21 with less than 24 completed credit hours - a genuine structural rule that catches early transfer applicants off guard. If you fall into this category, prepare your high school record as carefully as your college transcript.
Hit the specific priority deadlines by term, not a single annual date
UNCP's deadlines run by term: May 1/June 1 for fall applications and materials, November 1/December 1 for spring - a two-stage structure (application, then supporting materials) rather than one cutoff. Track both dates for your intended term rather than assuming a single "application deadline" covers everything.
Expert Insight:
Because UNCP's acceptance rate sits above 90% and no essay or recommendation letter is required for standard first-year review, students can treat the application as effectively automatic. But transfer applicants under 21 with fewer than 24 credits are evaluated under freshman standards including specific high school coursework requirements - a rule that surprises younger transfer students who assume their college record alone will be reviewed.
UNCP Profile
Full Name
University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP)
City
Pembroke
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
28372-1510
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UNCP Degree Worth It?
Whether UNCP is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $49,500, and graduates see a 4.53% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UNCP Cost?
Listed tuition runs $16,854/year at UNCP; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $9,918.
At UNCP, 47.6% receive a Pell Grant and 42.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UNCP on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UNCP Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UNCP graduates report a median income of $43,407, about 7% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of North Carolina at Pembroke. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | 977 | 18 |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 980 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| University of Bridgeport | Bridgeport, CT | 985 | NA |
| Delaware State University | Dover, DE | 984 | 24 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| Columbus State University | Columbus, GA | 994 | 21 |
| Georgia Southwestern State University | Americus, GA | 998 | 19 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of North Carolina at Pembroke. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of North Carolina at Pembroke. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL | 1055 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
Degree Programs at UNCP
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UNCP Admissions
University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates earn a lower median salary of $43,407/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at University of North Carolina at Pembroke is relatively affordable, around $16,854/year.
47.6% of University of North Carolina at Pembroke students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke's acceptance rate is 92.4%, comparatively higher than most selective universities — admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of North Carolina at Pembroke students is 3.44, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.14 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.04 or below makes admission tougher at University of North Carolina at Pembroke, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1015, and within the 975–1045 range, keeps you competitive.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke's deadline is October 1 (International ? Spring). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke charges an application fee of 45; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
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