Unc System University Student Numbers: A Comprehensive Breakdown

The University of North Carolina (UNC) System is comprised of 16 institutions and has seen record-breaking enrollment numbers over the last few years. In Fall 2021, total enrollment across the UNC System reached 244,492 students, an increase of 0.8% from the previous year. However, in Fall 2022, enrollment declined to 239,663 students, a decrease of almost 2% from the previous year. While twelve of the sixteen institutions experienced a decline in enrollment, four universities—Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, N.C. A&T, and UNC-Chapel Hill—showed increased enrollment.

Undergraduate and graduate enrollment

In Fall 2021, the UNC System achieved its fourth consecutive year of record enrollment, with a total of 244,492 students. This represented a slight increase of 0.8% from the previous year's enrollment of 242,446. However, a breakdown of this data reveals that undergraduate enrollment dynamics are more complex. While full-time undergraduate enrollment decreased, part-time undergraduate enrollment demonstrated notable growth, rising by 3.2% from 2020 and a significant 11.9% since Fall 2019. This shift towards part-time enrollment may be attributed to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which influenced students' preferences for part-time study.

Graduate enrollment, on the other hand, has been on a consistent upward trajectory. In Fall 2021, graduate student numbers rose by 5.4% compared to the previous year and an impressive 9.6% since Fall 2019. This trend aligns with typical patterns of growth in graduate programs during periods of economic uncertainty. Several campuses within the UNC System experienced notable enrollment increases. Appalachian State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts all recorded growth of over 3%. Elizabeth City State University also continued its positive trajectory with a 2.6% enrollment increase.

However, in Fall 2022, the UNC System witnessed its first enrollment decline in nine years. The total headcount across the system decreased to 239,663 students, a drop of almost 2% from the previous year. Undergraduate enrollment took the biggest hit, falling by 2%, while graduate student enrollment decreased by 1.89%. Twelve out of the sixteen institutions within the UNC System experienced this downward trend, with notable declines at UNC Greensboro, UNC Asheville, and UNC Pembroke.

Despite these recent fluctuations, the UNC System remains committed to providing accessible and affordable education. With a diverse range of academic programs and a proven track record of positive returns for graduates in the job market, the system continues to attract students from within North Carolina and beyond.

Student demographics

The University of North Carolina System is comprised of 16 institutions, with a total enrollment of 244,492 students as of Fall 2021. This marked the fourth consecutive year of record enrollment for the UNC System, with an increase of 0.8% from the previous year's enrollment of 242,446. However, in Fall 2022, enrollment across the UNC System experienced a decline, with a total headcount of 239,663 students, a decrease of almost 2% from the previous year. This decrease was attributed to various factors, including declining birth rates during the Great Recession, resulting in fewer high school graduates, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a perceived weakening in the value of a college degree.

Despite the overall enrollment decline in 2022, four institutions within the UNC System—Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, N.C. A&T, and UNC-Chapel Hill—experienced increased enrollment. Appalachian State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts each grew by more than 3% in 2021.

The UNC System serves a diverse student population, with an increasing percentage of students from underrepresented minority groups. Since 2013, the percentage of students from these groups has risen from 29.1% to 34.7% in 2022, with the largest increase among students identifying as Hispanic or Latino, growing from 4.7% to 8.7%.

The UNC System offers over 200 academic programs, with the top five bachelor's degree majors including Business, Management, Marketing, Health Professions, and Related Support Services, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The System also provides a range of downloadable reports, data tables, and interactive data tools to enhance transparency and accessibility for students, parents, and other stakeholders.

Financial aid

The University of North Carolina (UNC) System is committed to making its institutions accessible and affordable for students. In fact, UNC has reached record enrolments for the fourth consecutive year, with a total of 244,492 students across its campuses in Fall 2021.

The UNC System offers some of the most affordable higher education opportunities in the United States. However, many students and their families still require financial aid to cover the costs of attendance, including tuition, housing, textbooks, and program fees. Financial aid can come from federal, state, institutional, or private sources, and it typically takes two forms: gift aid and self-help funds.

Gift Aid

Gift aid includes scholarships and grants that do not need to be repaid. It can be awarded based on merit, such as academic or athletic achievement, or financial need. The UNC System offers a limited number of scholarships and paid internship opportunities directly, but most scholarships are awarded by individual institutions within the UNC System. Additionally, scholarship opportunities can be found outside of the UNC System through organisations, local and statewide initiatives, and the U.S. Department of Labor's national scholarship search tool.

Self-Help Funds

Self-help funds refer to money borrowed or earned while attending university. This includes federal and private loans, as well as work opportunities on campus. The Next NC Scholarship, for instance, combines federal and state aid to provide eligible students attending public universities in North Carolina with at least $5,000 for tuition and fees, while those attending community college receive a minimum of $3,000. The NC Promise Tuition Plan further reduces costs, allowing students to attend four UNC System institutions for only $500 per semester: Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Western Carolina University.

Applying for Financial Aid

Students seeking financial aid can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for assistance. Additionally, UNC's Net Price Calculator can provide an early indication of eligibility for financial aid and help students make informed decisions about their college choices. The Office of Scholarships and Student Aid at UNC strives to ensure that admitted students can afford to study at the university, regardless of their financial background.

Admissions and performance

The UNC System offers over 200 academic programs across its institutions, with students earning degrees in a variety of critical fields. The system provides transparent reports and data tables to the public, allowing access to detailed information on admissions, performance, and financial aid.

In terms of admissions, the UNC System had a total enrollment of 244,492 students for the Fall 2021 semester, marking the fourth consecutive year of record enrollment. However, in Fall 2022, enrollment declined for the first time in nine years, with a total headcount of 239,663 students. This decrease was attributed to various factors, including demographics, community college enrollment, and a perceived decline in the value of a college degree due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, the UNC System has seen an increase in diversity, with a larger percentage of students from underrepresented minority groups.

When it comes to performance, the UNC System has reported that its degree programs offer an affordable investment with high value in the job market, leading to significant positive returns for graduates. The system's Interactive Data Dashboards provide information on admissions and performance, including graduation rate information, peer comparisons, and transfer student performance. Additionally, the UNC System has implemented initiatives to increase college access, such as waiving application fees for students impacted by hurricanes and offering the NC College Connect program.

The UNC System also offers financial aid to its students, with information on financial aid trends available through the Interactive Data Dashboards. These dashboards display the number of students receiving financial aid, the average amount of aid, and the total financial aid awarded. This transparency ensures that students, parents, and taxpayers can access detailed data on the system's performance and financial aid offerings.

Transfer students

The University of North Carolina (UNC) System is made up of 16 institutions and has a diverse student body, with nearly one-third of all enrolled students being transfer students. The UNC System is committed to increasing access to higher education for all qualified North Carolinians, and transfer access is a central part of its mission. The system offers streamlined pathways, transfer planning resources, and partnerships to promote successful transfer experiences.

For adult learners, who make up a significant portion of transfer students, the UNC System has developed more flexible degree pathways, increased online course options, and implemented policies to maximise credit for prior learning. To support this growing population, the system has also created dedicated spaces on campus.

The process of transferring to a UNC System university involves several steps. Students are encouraged to compare the 16 universities to find the best fit for their desired major. They can then contact transfer professionals and review admission requirements, transfer credit equivalencies, and degree plans. The next step is to complete the transfer admissions application and submit the required documentation, including official college transcripts. Additionally, transfer students are advised to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and connect with the financial aid office.

The UNC System offers a range of resources to assist transfer students in their transition, ensuring a positive transfer experience. With nearly 60% of transfer students coming from the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), the system has established agreements like the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) and Uniformed Articulation Agreements (UAA) to facilitate the transfer of credits and provide guarantees to students. The Reverse Transfer Program further supports students transferring to a UNC System institution before completing an associate degree, allowing them to combine credits from both community college and university-level courses to earn their associate degree.

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