How to get into University of North Texas
How to get into UNT: a fast-growing Texas public with the country's largest music program and a top-tier jazz pipeline
72.2%
Acceptance rate
$11,309
In-state cost
$21,149
Out-of-state cost
What makes University of North Texas admissions different
The University of North Texas is a public research university in Denton, Texas — roughly 34,000 undergrads, with the College of Music ranked among the largest comprehensive music programs in the country (and one of the most respected jazz studies programs in the world). UNT admits around 72% of applicants. The school has other established programs in business (the G. Brint Ryan College of Business), engineering, journalism, and the visual arts. For Texas residents, UNT offers in-state tuition with Top 10% auto-admission for in-state students who qualify.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through ApplyTexas or the Common App by UNT's priority deadlines.
- 2.
Texas residents: confirm Top 10% auto-admission eligibility (top 10% of Texas high school graduating class with required coursework guarantees admission to UNT).
- 3.
Music applicants: prepare the audition for the College of Music. Auditions are the decisive factor for admission to performance, jazz studies, music education, composition, and other music tracks — academic credentials matter but the audition leads.
- 4.
Pick the right college. The College of Music (audition-based), the G. Brint Ryan College of Business, the College of Engineering, the Mayborn School of Journalism, and the College of Visual Arts and Design each have their own program-specific framing.
- 5.
Apply to the UNT Honors College through its separate application. Honors students get smaller seminars, an honors thesis, and dedicated advising.
- 6.
Apply for the named merit scholarships (President's, Excellence, Eagle's Nest) at the priority deadline.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Applying to the College of Music without preparing for the audition. The audition is the application.
- ✕
Treating UNT as just a generic Texas public. The music program (and jazz studies in particular) is genuinely world-class.
- ✕
Missing the priority deadline for honors and scholarship consideration.
- ✕
Confusing UNT (Denton) with North Texas-area private universities or UT-Dallas — they're different schools.
The specifics for University of North Texas
What makes this admissions process distinctive
One of the largest comprehensive music programs in the country with conservatory-level offerings in jazz studies, composition, performance, music education, and music industry. Admission to performance tracks is audition-based.
UNT Honors College
A four-year honors track with smaller seminars, an honors thesis, dedicated advising, and the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science (TAMS) for advanced high school students.
Texas Top 10% auto-admit eligibility
Texas residents in the top 10% of their high school graduating class with required coursework are guaranteed admission to UNT under the state's automatic admission rule.
What graduates actually do
UNT graduates feed the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex heavily, with particular strength in music (the College of Music is one of the largest in the country and the One O'Clock Lab Band is a legendary jazz feeder), business, and education. Graduates are common at American Airlines, AT&T, ExxonMobil, and the DFW corporate corridor, and the College of Visual Arts and Design sends graduates into design and creative roles regionally.
Notable alumni
- Norah Jones — Music (multiple Grammys)
- Don Henley — Music (Eagles)
- Mean Joe Greene — Professional football (NFL Hall of Fame)
- Roy Williams — Professional football
- Lou Diamond Phillips — Acting
Transfer pathway
UNT accepts transfers via the Texas Common Course Numbering System and the Texas Field of Study Curriculum, which standardize transfer credits across Texas community colleges. Major feeders include Dallas College, Tarrant County College, Collin College, and North Central Texas College. A 2.0+ GPA is the minimum for most majors; music, business, and engineering have higher thresholds.
Articulation partners
Dallas College · Tarrant County College · Collin College · North Central Texas College
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
If you're a Texas resident with a B/B+ transcript, UNT is a likely admit (and guaranteed admit for Top 10% applicants). For music applicants, the audition is the application and UNT's music program is one of the country's best — worth applying to seriously regardless of residency. The Honors College is the lever for high-achieving applicants.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.