UNC is ranked as the No. 3 best value public university in the nation – behind only Georgia Tech and the University of Virginia – on the Princeton Review’s annual list. The ranking is an improvement from 2024, when UNC occupied the No. 4 spot.

Elsewhere, the Princeton Review ranks UNC as the No. 1 best public school for financial aid, the No. 2 best value public school without aid, the No. 8 best public school for making an impact and the No. 15 best alumni network for a public school.

The methodology for the rankings takes into account institutional data, student surveys and alumni salary data collected through this past spring.

“We have a profound responsibility to the people of North Carolina — who have provided longstanding support to our university — to provide an exceptional education at an accessible and affordable cost,” said chancellor Lee Roberts. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff and students who work together every day to prove that excellence and affordability aren’t mutually exclusive in higher education.”

In addition, UNC received a 93/99 rating for return on investment. The rating is based on multiple data points, including student debt, graduation rates and alumni career outcomes.

For a full look at the Princeton Review’s rankings of UNC and other schools, click here.

 

Featured image via UNC

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Rises to No. 4 in Princeton Review's List of Best Public University Value
UNC is ranked highly once again in The Princeton Review and U.S. World & News Report's latest university rankings.
UNC Ranks in Top 5 of The Princeton Review's 'Best Value Colleges'
Only four universities ranked ahead of UNC in the latest edition of The Princeton Review’s “Best Value Colleges.” Of the 650 academic institutions ranked by The Princeton Review, Carolina checked in at fifth among public universities. The institutions are ranked on 40 points of data — such as affordability, career preparation and academic rigor. Scholarships […]
UNC Volleyball Releases 2026 Regular Season Schedule
The UNC volleyball program has released its schedule for the 2026 season, the fourth under the leadership of head coach Mike Schall. The Tar Heels are looking to build upon a 2025 season which saw them advance to the NCAA Tournament’s second round. The full slate is set😤 pic.twitter.com/BEs2INXji6 — Carolina Volleyball (@UNCVolleyball) July 14, […]
'We Still Got Work to Do': Gavin Gallaher Confirms Return to UNC Baseball for 2027 Season
Gavin Gallaher is back. The UNC baseball co-captain confirmed his return to the Diamond Heels Tuesday after not being selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. Gallaher is a rising senior and, thanks to the NCAA’s new 5-in-5 rule for student-athletes, will have two years of eligibility remaining. Tar Heel Nation, we still got work to […]
UNC Field Hockey Head Coach Erin Matson to Appear on New ABC Series
UNC field hockey head coach Erin Matson will be featured on the latest episode of the ABC series “The Champion’s Edge with Bonnie Bernstein.” The series, which premiered in May, “highlights women excelling in their professional fields and spotlights the lessons they have learned as athletes that drive their successes while featuring practical advice on […]
Diamond Heels in the 2026 MLB Draft: Who's Going Where?
Several UNC baseball players have been selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, which runs through Sunday in Philadelphia. The MLB Draft is different from its counterparts in leagues such as the NFL and NBA, in that players with remaining eligibility can choose to return to school even after being drafted. Here’s a look at which […]
UNC's Jason DeCaro Picked by Pittsburgh Pirates in 2026 MLB Draft
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected UNC pitcher Jason DeCaro in the third round of the 2026 MLB Draft. He was the 80th overall pick. 𝐃𝐞𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨 𝐃𝐚𝐲 coming 🔜 in the Burgh!! The @Pirates find draft treasure in @JasonDeCaro2. #ProHeels x @YoungBucsPIT pic.twitter.com/y6WY5AiBPI — Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels) July 11, 2026 A three-year starter in the Carolina pitching […]
Boston Red Rox Select UNC Outfielder Owen Hull in 2026 MLB Draft
Owen Hull is off the board in the MLB Draft. The Red Sox selected the UNC outfielder in the second round of the draft Saturday in Philadelphia. Hull was the 67th overall pick, and is the second Diamond Heel to be drafted this year following Jake Schaffner’s selection at No. 20 overall by the same […]
UNC Shortstop Jake Schaffner Selected by Boston Red Sox in 1st Round of 2026 MLB Draft
The Boston Red Sox selected UNC shortstop Jake Schaffner with the No. 20 overall pick in the first round of the 2026 MLB Draft Saturday. He’s the first Diamond Heel to be selected in this year’s draft. Schaff is 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤 𝘽𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣 ‼️‼️ From Janesville now to Bean Town, @JakeSchaffner3 is a first round […]
Chansky's Notebook: Code of Conduct
When he left Carolina as chancellor in 2024, Kevin Guskiewicz was dogged by policy confrontations with the UNC Board of Trustees. Guskiewicz found himself in the same position after only two years at Michigan State despite strong support from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Spartans’ Hall of Fame basketball coach Tom Izzo. He visited […]
›