Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Denton, Texas
72.5% Acceptance Rate
University of North Texas — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
72.5%Acceptance Rate
3.46Avg GPA
1109Avg SAT
23Avg ACT
$25,470Annual Cost
$57,010Grad Salary
36.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
72.5%
Avg GPA
3.46
Avg SAT
1109
Avg ACT
23
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
980–1230
ACT Middle 50%
19–27
Avg Net Price
$14,352
Need-Based Aid
36.1% receive Pell
University of North Texas is a major public research university known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a dynamic and inclusive campus environment that encourages research, leadership, and professional development. Its focus on providing a high-value, well-rounded education makes it a premier choice for students seeking a top-tier degree that prepares them for success in an increasingly complex world.
University of North Texas Acceptance Rate
University of North Texas is moderately selective. 72.5% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What UNT Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 72.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.46 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.01
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of North Texas Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of North Texas follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of May 1 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 267 days left — Regular (Summer)
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UNT 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.
Regular (Summer)
May 1
Regular (Fall)
July 31
💡 The scholarship deadline (March 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UNT GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UNT is 3.46. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.16–3.46 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 3.66–3.86.UNT 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
3.46 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.26 – 3.45
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.06 – 3.25
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.05
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate roughly 72% for the most recent cycle - high-probability admit for most Texas residents meeting baseline requirements.
- No essay or letters of recommendation required for general freshman admission.
- Test-optional; middle-50% SAT band roughly 1060?1260, ACT roughly 21?26 for those who submit.
- Admission decisions are rolling, typically returned within about two weeks of a complete file.
- 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 UNT
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from University of North Texas'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 Texas (UNT) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at UNT. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into UNT Without SAT or ACT?
UNT considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of North Texas Average SAT Score: 1109
Admitted students at University of North Texas average a 1109 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1109 — Less Competitive
A 1109 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1230 SAT or 27 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of North Texas allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 980? A retake is worth it at UNT. 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 | 540 | 480 | 600 |
| SAT Reading | 565 | 500 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1109 | 980 | 1230 |
A score under 980 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1230+ 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 1100
Can I get into University of North Texas (UNT) with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in UNT'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.
University of North Texas (UNT) ACT Requirements
UNT's admitted students average an ACT of 23.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 23 — Slightly Competitive
An average of 23 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 21 | 17 | 25 |
| ACT English | 23 | 18 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 23 | 19 | 27 |
Can I get into University of North Texas with a 27 ACT?
At 27, you're in the top quarter of UNT's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, UNT weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UNT
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
UNT takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Lean on Texas's automatic-admission rule if class rank qualifies
Texas HB 588 guarantees admission to any Texas public university, UNT included, for students in the top 10% of their graduating class. If a student's rank qualifies, list it prominently on ApplyTexas - it overrides standard review.
Do not write a general UNT essay - save writing energy for Terry/Honors
UNT drops the personal essay for general admission entirely. Put essay effort into the Terry Scholars application and the Honors College application instead, both on separate timelines with separate supplemental prompts.
Submit test scores only if they beat the mid-1100s SAT / low-20s ACT median
UNT is test-optional and the recently admitted middle-50% SAT band sits roughly 1060?1260. A score meaningfully below that band should be omitted - a weak score sitting in an otherwise strong file can drag merit review down.
Apply for Emerald Eagle Scholars early if income-eligible
UNT runs a separate need-based access initiative layered on top of general admission that covers tuition/fees for qualifying low-income Texas residents - this requires a distinct, earlier FAFSA-linked application step easy to miss if a family only applies through ApplyTexas.
Expert Insight:
Families often submit recommendation letters or a personal statement anyway "just in case" - UNT's general admissions office doesn't read them, so that effort should go to Honors College or scholarship-specific essays where it's actually scored.
UNT Profile
Full Name
University of North Texas (UNT)
City
Denton
State
Texas
ZIP Code
76203-1277
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UNT Degree Worth It?
Whether UNT 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 $72,900, and graduates see a 3.09% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from UNT Cost?
Listed tuition runs $25,470/year at UNT. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $14,352.
At UNT, 36.1% receive a Pell Grant and 39.1% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming UNT on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a UNT Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, UNT graduates report a median income of $57,010, about 40% 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 Texas. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of North Texas. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of North Texas. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
Degree Programs at UNT
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UNT Admissions
University of North Texas graduates earn a moderate median salary of $57,010/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at University of North Texas is relatively affordable, around $25,470/year.
36.1% of University of North Texas students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
University of North Texas's acceptance rate is 72.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
The average GPA of admitted University of North Texas students is 3.46, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.16 puts you in the standard applicant pool at University of North Texas. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.06 or below makes admission tougher at University of North Texas, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.
University of North Texas weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1109, and within the 980–1230 range, keeps you competitive.
University of North Texas's deadline is May 1 (Regular (Summer)). Rolling Admissions applies too, so earlier is always better.
University of North Texas charges an application fee of 75; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
For priority financial aid consideration, get your FAFSA in before March 1, 2026. That's University of North Texas's scholarship priority date.
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.