The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is facing changes in its student demographics following a pivotal Supreme Court decision.

The latest enrollment data indicates a notable shift in the racial makeup of UNC’s incoming students post the 2023 Supreme Court ruling, Yahoo News reported.

In June 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admissions programs are unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause. This decision has significantly impacted several universities, including UNC at Chapel Hill, altering their admissions policies and, consequently, their student body composition.

Details on the Shift in Student Demographics

Following the Supreme Court's decision, UNC Chapel Hill reported a change in its student racial demographics. The proportion of white or Asian students rose slightly from 88.5% in the previous year to 89.6% in 2024.

Conversely, the representation of Black, Hispanic, and Native American students has decreased. The number of Black students saw the most significant drop, moving from 10.5% in 2023 to just 7.8% in 2024.

Asian Student Representation Sees Notable Increase

Asian students at UNC have seen an increase in their numbers, the most among all demographics, rising from 24.8% to 25.8% within a year. This uptick contrasts with the slight increases observed in the proportion of white students and Pacific Islanders, which moved from 63.7% to 63.8% and from 0.2% to 0.3%, respectively.

The Hispanic and Native American student populations have also seen declines. Hispanic enrollment decreased from 10.8% to 10.1%, while Native American enrollment shrank from 1.6% to 1.1%.

Enrollment Figures Amid New Admissions Policy

The 2024 incoming class at UNC Chapel Hill consists of 4,641 first-year students and 983 transfer students. This demographic shift occurs alongside a record number of applications — a total of 73,192, marking a 15.8% increase from the previous year.

Of these students, the majority are from within North Carolina, with 4,608 local students, complemented by 1,016 from out-of-state or international locations. These students represent a broad geographic diversity, coming from 95 counties within North Carolina, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 79 countries.

University's Response to the New Admissions Landscape

Rachelle Feldman, UNC's vice provost for enrollment, commented on the shifting dynamics. "It’s too soon to see trends with just one year of data. We are committed to following the new law. We are also committed to making sure students in all 100 counties from every population in our growing state feel encouraged to apply, have confidence in our affordability, and know this is a place they feel welcome and can succeed."

Despite the clear changes in demographics, Feldman emphasizes the university's ongoing dedication to inclusivity and equal opportunity in the wake of new legal requirements.

This shift reflects broader national trends and raises questions about the future of university admissions and diversity. As such, UNC Chapel Hill remains at the forefront of discussions on how colleges navigate the balance between adhering to legal standards and fostering diverse educational environments.