Douglas Olsen
The University of North Carolina (UNC) System is comprised of 16 public universities, including two medical schools, ten nursing programs, two schools of dentistry, and one veterinary school and hospital. As of 2024-25, the UNC System's student enrollment reached an all-time high, with nearly 250,000 students across its campuses. The largest university in the system is North Carolina State University, with 37,323 students as of fall 2023. While enrollment numbers have been rising, the state's birth rate is declining, falling from 14.4 births to 11.4 births per 1,000 residents since 2007.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students enrolled as of Fall 2021 | 244,507 |
| Total number of degrees conferred in 2020-2021 | 62,930 |
| Number of universities in the UNC System | 16 |
| Number of campuses | 17 |
| Oldest university | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
| Smallest university | North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics |
| Largest university | North Carolina State University |
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What You'll Learn
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
UNC-Chapel Hill's campus covers 729 to 760 acres and includes the Morehead Planetarium and the shops on Franklin Street. Students can participate in over 550 officially recognized student organizations and 28 intercollegiate sports teams, known as the Tar Heels. The university's athletic teams have won 51 NCAA team championships in eight different sports, as well as 52 individual national championships.
As of 2023, UNC-Chapel Hill has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,880 students, with a total student population of more than 28,000. The university has a long history of academic excellence, with its faculty and alumni making significant contributions to various fields. The university is also committed to accessibility and inclusivity, offering programs such as the Carolina Covenant to help lower-income students graduate debt-free.
UNC-Chapel Hill is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and is one of three corners of North Carolina's Research Triangle, along with North Carolina State University and Duke University. The university has a strong research focus, with a $5.7 billion endowment, making it the ninth-wealthiest public academic institution in the United States as of 2024.
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North Carolina State University
NC State was established as a land-grant college under the name "North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts", or "North Carolina A&M" for short. In a segregated system, it was initially open only to white students. The college focused on military tactics, agriculture, mechanical arts, and classical studies. Over time, the college expanded its curriculum, adding schools of design, forestry, physical and mathematical sciences, and humanities and social sciences.
In 1965, the college officially became North Carolina State University at Raleigh, though the "at Raleigh" portion is usually omitted. Today, NC State has a strong reputation in engineering, statistics, agriculture, life sciences, textiles, and design. It offers bachelor's degrees in 106 fields of study and master's degrees in 104 fields. The graduate school also offers doctoral degrees in 61 fields and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
NC State is known for its leadership in interdisciplinary innovation and its tight-knit community. It provides students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience and develop career-ready skills. The university has a significant impact on the statewide economy, contributing $6.5 billion annually. It is ranked highly for value and affordability, with students graduating with lower-than-average debt.
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University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) is a public research university in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is part of the University of North Carolina system, which has 16 public universities and 17 campuses across the state. The University of North Carolina system had a total enrollment of 244,507 students as of fall 2021, with nearly 240,000 students enrolled across its campuses for the Fall 2019 semester.
UNCG was established as a woman's college in 1891 and opened in 1892. In its first year, it had a student body of 223 and a faculty of 15. The university has since expanded and now offers over 100 undergraduate, 61 master's, and 26 doctoral programs. The Graduate School at UNCG manages the graduate programs on campus for approximately 3,600 graduate students from 33 states and 34 foreign countries. The university is also home to the Weatherspoon Art Museum and the Lloyd International Honors College, which offers three Honors academic programs.
UNCG's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #196. Its in-state tuition and fees are $7,594, while out-of-state tuition and fees are $23,340. The university's intercollegiate athletics program dates back to the late 1940s. UNCG students enjoy a range of extracurricular activities and easy access to downtown Greensboro, which is just a mile away.
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North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, also known as North Carolina A&T State University, is one of 16 public universities that constitute the University of North Carolina (UNC) System. With an enrollment of over 14,000 students, it is the largest historically black college or university (HBCU) in the United States, a position it has held since 2014.
The university's College of Engineering graduates more black engineers than any other campus in the United States. Similarly, its College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences produces more African American agriculture graduates than any other campus in the country. The university is also a leading producer of African American kinesiology undergraduates, landscape architects, nurses, teachers, and journalism/mass communication graduates.
The university's students, alumni, and sports teams are known as "Aggies". The varsity athletic teams are members of the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) in all sports except women's bowling and football.
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North Carolina Central University
NCCU welcomed its largest incoming class in 15 years in Fall 2024, with an estimated 1,918 first-year students, 296 transfer students, and 18 second-degree students. The majority of the incoming class, 1,503 students, are from North Carolina, particularly from the counties of Wake, Mecklenburg, Durham, Guilford, and Cumberland. The university offers a variety of programs, with the most popular ones for the Class of 2028 being business administration, pre-nursing, criminal justice, psychology, and biology. In addition, NCCU houses approximately 41% of its students on campus, which is higher than the national average for public four-year colleges.
NCCU's total student enrollment, including both undergraduate and graduate/professional students, was 8,579 as of 2025. The university's School of Law was ranked #5 nationwide for female enrollment in 2024. NCCU is also ranked highly in other areas, such as being the #15 HBCU nationwide and the #34 Regional Universities South by U.S. News & World Report in 2025.
NCCU continues to grow and thrive, attracting students from various backgrounds and offering them a range of academic programs. With its diverse student body and commitment to accessibility and affordability, the university is making a significant impact on higher education in North Carolina and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
As of fall 2021, the UNC System's 16 public universities across the state enrolled a total of 244,507 students.
North Carolina State University is the largest university in the UNC system, with 37,323 students as of fall 2023.
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics is the smallest and newest member of the UNC system. It is a residential two-year high school that became a full member of the university in 2007.
There are five historically black institutions that are part of the UNC system: North Carolina A&T State University, North Carolina Central University, Winston-Salem State University, Fayetteville State University, and Elizabeth City State University.
Enrollment across the UNC system has been at an all-time high in recent years. In 2024-25, the UNC system reported its highest-ever student enrollment, with nearly 250,000 students across its 16 universities.
