Lana Oconnell
North Carolina is home to several colleges and universities, with a range of large research universities, midsize colleges, and small private liberal arts colleges. The state has seen an increase in university enrollment, with a rise of 2.2% over the previous year and 3.5% since 2022. The largest university in North Carolina by student enrollment is North Carolina State University at Raleigh, with a student population of 37,323.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| University with the largest student enrollment in North Carolina | North Carolina State University at Raleigh |
| Number of students | 37,323 |
| University location | Raleigh |
| University system | UNC System |
| University enrollment trends | Enrollment increased by 2.2% over the previous year and 3.5% since 2022 |
| Factors contributing to enrollment growth | Low tuition, improved student support programs, enhanced financial aid, better transfer programs, and online learning |
| University initiatives for lower-income students | The Carolina Covenant offers lower-income students the opportunity to graduate debt-free; starting in fall 2024, Carolina will cover costs for in-state undergraduates with family incomes below $80,000 |
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What You'll Learn
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh has the largest student body
- UNC System campuses added 5400+ students in 2022
- UNC-Chapel Hill is the nation's first public university
- Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill have a legendary basketball rivalry
- UNC's Carolina Covenant helps lower-income students graduate debt-free
North Carolina State University at Raleigh has the largest student body
The state's other large universities include Duke University and the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill, which share a legendary basketball rivalry. While sports are a significant aspect of many colleges in North Carolina, the state also offers a range of higher education options, including large research universities, midsize colleges, and small private liberal arts colleges.
The University of North Carolina (UNC) System has experienced overall enrollment growth, with a particular increase in students across its Western North Carolina campuses. This growth goes against national trends, which have seen a decline in college enrollment since 2010, especially during the pandemic. Despite these trends, the UNC System remains committed to making higher education accessible and affordable for students, with a focus on increasing enrollment among high school graduates and improving financial aid accessibility.
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UNC System campuses added 5400+ students in 2022
North Carolina's public universities have seen a surge in student numbers, with UNC System campuses adding over 5,400 students in 2022. This increase comes after years of concerted efforts to enhance accessibility and affordability. The UNC System's commitment to low tuition fees, robust student support programs, and improvements in financial aid have borne fruit, attracting a larger student body.
The growth in enrollment is particularly notable given the broader context of declining college-aged students and the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic led to a decrease in transfer students from community colleges, mirroring national trends. However, the UNC System has successfully navigated these obstacles, showcasing its resilience and appeal to students.
Notably, Public Historically Black Universities (HBCUs) within the UNC System have witnessed increased enrollment, benefiting from policy changes that allow more out-of-state students. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the country's largest HBCU, boasts over 14,000 students. This influx of out-of-state students brings diverse talents and strengthens the state's economy.
The UNC System's dedication to accessibility is further exemplified by the Next NC Scholarship, which assists North Carolina families earning $80,000 or less per year in pursuing higher education. This scholarship covers a significant portion, if not all, of tuition and fees at any public university within the state. The System's student body is also becoming more diverse, with a notable increase in students from underrepresented minority groups, particularly those identifying as Hispanic or Latino.
While the UNC System has experienced an overall enrollment increase, it is important to note that some institutions within the System have seen declines. UNC Greensboro, UNC Asheville, and UNC Pembroke have been among the campuses with notable decreases in student numbers. To address these fluctuations, the UNC Board of Governors is actively working to mitigate potential financial impacts, particularly by raising the out-of-state enrollment cap at several institutions.
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UNC-Chapel Hill is the nation's first public university
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) is the oldest public university in the United States. Chartered in 1789, it first began enrolling students in 1795, making it the nation's first public university. UNC-Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The university offers degrees in over 70 courses of study and is divided into 13 separate professional schools and a primary unit, the College of Arts & Sciences.
UNC-Chapel Hill has a rich history and has undergone several name changes throughout its existence. During World War II, it was one of 131 colleges and universities that participated in the V-12 Navy College Training Program, offering students a path to a Navy commission. In 1951, the university admitted its first Black students to the schools of law and medicine, with the first students being Harvey Beech, James Lassiter, J. Kenneth Lee, Floyd McKissick, James Robert Walker, and Oscar Diggs in medicine. In 1963, the university became fully coeducational, although most women attended the Woman's College for their first two years before transferring to Chapel Hill as juniors due to campus residence restrictions. As a result, the Woman's College was renamed the "University of North Carolina at Greensboro," while the University of North Carolina became the "University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill."
UNC-Chapel Hill has a strong academic reputation and is known for its research excellence. It is classified as an "R1: Doctoral University" with "very high research activity" and is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). The university's athletic teams, known as the Tar Heels, have also achieved notable success, winning 51 NCAA team championships across eight different sports. Additionally, UNC-Chapel Hill is one of three corners of North Carolina's Research Triangle, alongside North Carolina State University in Raleigh and Duke University in Durham.
UNC-Chapel Hill is highly selective, with a freshman retention rate of 96.5% and a graduation rate of 91.9% within six years. The university received 53,776 applications for the Class of 2025 and accepted only 10,347 students (19.2%). It offers a range of undergraduate programs, including medicine, nursing, business, education, pharmacy, and media and journalism. The university also provides the prestigious Morehead-Cain Scholarship for undergraduate students.
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Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill have a legendary basketball rivalry
North Carolina State University at Raleigh has the largest student enrollment in North Carolina, with 37,323 students.
Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill's Basketball Rivalry
Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill have a historic and intense basketball rivalry, with their first game played on January 24, 1920. Since then, the two teams have played each other at least twice a year and have consistently been among the nation's elite men's basketball teams for most of the last 40 years. The rivalry is so renowned that it is often referred to simply as "Carolina-Duke."
The games often determine the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) champion, and since the ACC's founding in 1953, the two schools have combined to win or share an impressive 49 ACC regular season titles and 38 tournament titles. The final game of the regular season for both schools alternates between Chapel Hill and Durham and has been played in Cameron Indoor Stadium and the Dean E. Smith Center since 1940 and 1986, respectively.
The rivalry is not limited to the men's game, as Duke and Carolina have also developed a strong women's college basketball rivalry since the 1990s, with both teams being among the strongest in the nation.
The competition between the two schools extends beyond basketball, with a notable football rivalry as well. While the basketball rivalry is more intense, the football competition is still fierce, with the two schools disagreeing on the outcome of a game as far back as 1889.
The rivalry between Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill is legendary, with a long history and numerous memorable games, and it continues to be one of the most highly anticipated sporting events in college sports each year.
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UNC's Carolina Covenant helps lower-income students graduate debt-free
North Carolina State University at Raleigh has the largest student enrollment in North Carolina, with a population of 37,323 students.
UNCs Carolina Covenant helps lower-income students graduate debt-free
The Carolina Covenant is a financial aid package and support network that has helped thousands of students graduate debt-free from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Covenant was established in 2004 to help students from low-income families find a path to debt-free graduation. It meets the full financial needs of students through grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities, with no loans involved.
To be eligible for the Carolina Covenant, students must be from families with a total income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and meet additional economic criteria. In 2012-13, Carolina Covenant scholars' parents reported a median income of $25,862, significantly lower than the median parental income for resident undergraduates receiving need-based aid ($56,511) and nonresident undergraduates ($78,384).
The Carolina Covenant not only provides financial support but also offers academic, career, and well-being assistance to help scholars thrive during their time at UNC and beyond. This includes resources for navigating the world of financial aid, which can be especially overwhelming for first-generation college students, who make up a significant proportion of Covenant Scholars (ranging from 52% to 58% since 2004).
The program has been life-changing for many students, allowing them to pursue their dream of attending UNC without the burden of debt. UNC-CH's associate provost and director of scholarships and student aid, Shirley Ort, created the program with the goal of sending a simple message: "If you prepare academically and can get into Carolina, you don't need to worry about paying for it." The Carolina Covenant has been so successful that it now serves as a model for other colleges and universities, with dozens of institutions replicating the program.
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Frequently asked questions
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is the largest university in North Carolina, with a student population of 37,323.
The UNC system, including UNC-Chapel Hill, has seen enrollment increases in recent years, with a 2.2% rise in students over the previous year and a 3.5% increase since 2022.
Duke University and the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill share a legendary basketball rivalry. Other notable universities in the state include those in Charlotte, Greenville, Greensboro, Wilmington, Durham, Asheville, and the capital, Raleigh.
