UNC has been ranked fifth among national public universities for the 17th straight year, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” rankings.

For the 13th consecutive year, Carolina has also placed first among national public universities and ninth overall in “Great Schools, Great Prices,” which is based on academic quality and the 2016-2017 net cost of attendance for a student receiving the average level of need-based financial aid.

UNC Chancellor Carol Folt says that the university’s consistently high ranking is a testament to an enduring commitment to excellence made by all those involved with the university.

“The Carolina community continues to make a difference in people’s lives, in our state and well beyond North Carolina’s borders, through a continuing dedication to distinguished scholarship, groundbreaking research and life-changing public service,” said Folt.

The top four public universities were University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Virginia and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

UNC’s other U.S. News rankings include 12th among public schools for least debt, a 97 percent first year retention rate for the ninth consecutive year and fifth among the top public universities in faculty resources.

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