The short answer
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Adams School of Dentistry budgets $87,836 for the first year of its 4-year DDS/DMD program for in-state students (2026-27). A new student can borrow at most $50,000 of that in federal loans, leaving about $37,836 to cover in year one and roughly $151,344 over the program if costs hold steady.
How much you’ll need beyond federal loans
- Federal loans cover at most $200,000 of an estimated $351,344 program cost.
- Scholarships, grants and service programs shrink the gap before any private loan.
- Students who enrolled and borrowed for this program before July 1, 2026 keep the old federal limits for up to three more years.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: first-year cost vs federal loans
| In-state | Out-of-state | |
|---|---|---|
| Year-one cost of attendance | $87,836 | $116,282 |
| Of which tuition and fees | $43,060 | $71,506 |
| Federal loans, year one (max) | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Gap, year one | $37,836 | $66,282 |
| Gap, whole program (estimate) | $151,344 | $265,128 |
Source: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s published cost of attendance, 2026-27, checked September 26, 2026. Cost of attendance includes the living budget the aid office uses. The program estimate assumes every year costs what year one does; later years usually differ, so ask the aid office for the full budget.
How to cover the gap, in order
- Free money first. Ask University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s financial aid office about school scholarships and need-based grants, and apply by their deadlines.
- Service scholarships. Military HPSP can pay full tuition plus a monthly stipend in exchange for service. The NHSC and IHS offer scholarships and loan repayment for work in shortage areas.
- Federal loans, up to the cap. Direct Unsubsidized loans at 8.07% fixed for 2026–27 keep RAP, PSLF and federal protections. Federal loan limits.
- Private in-school loans for the rest. Compare fixed rates, deferment through residency, and death and disability discharge. How to compare them.
Already enrolled before July 1, 2026? You may still have Grad PLUS.
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Private in-school loan rates
Rates as of Sep 26, 2026| Lender | Fixed APR | Variable APR | Minimum | Check your rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CredibleMarketplace: compares several lenders with one soft credit check | 1.94–17.99% | — | — | Check your rate |
| EarnestUp to 100% of school-certified cost | from 1.99% | — | — | Check your rate |
| Sallie Mae (dental school loan)Up to 100% of cost, plus up to $30,000 for residency and relocation | 2.08–14.98% | 3.75–14.47% | $1,000 | Lender site |
| AscentUp to $400,000 total for graduate study; residency deferment available | 2.69–17.01% | 3.64–16.10% | $2,001 | Check your rate |
| SoFiGeneral graduate loan rates | 2.99–14.83% | 4.64–15.86% | — | Check your rate |
| College AveDental school loan, up to cost of attendance minus other aid | 3.19–15.99% | 3.89–15.99% | $1,000 | Check your rate |
APRs are the ranges each lender advertised on its own site when we checked, and most include an autopay discount. Your rate depends on your credit, income and term, and variable rates can rise. These are not offers. Checking your rate with these lenders uses a soft credit pull. Sorted by lowest advertised fixed APR; payouts never change the order. How we rank lenders.
Private loans don’t qualify for RAP, PSLF or federal forgiveness. Borrow federal first, up to the cap.
Costs are University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s own published figures; we don’t estimate missing numbers. This page is general education, not financial advice. Found an error? Tell us.