The U.S. News & World Report has ranked UNC-Chapel Hill fifth in their list of top public schools among national universities.
This marks 20 years that UNC has been ranked among the nation’s best universities. The ranking from the U.S. News & World Report also placed UNC among their best value schools list among public national universities and 14th overall among both public and private institutions.
“Carolina strives every day to serve the people of our state, the nation and the world through excellence in teaching, research and service,” said UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz in a release. “Our passion and dedication to this effort has earned Carolina a top-five ranking among public universities for the 20th consecutive year. Remaining accessible and affordable to all is fundamental to our mission, and we are honored with the distinction of ‘best value’ among public universities.”
The public universities ranked above UNC were University of California – Los Angeles, University of California – Berkley, University of Michigan, and University of Virginia. UNC was tied with Wake Forest for 28th overall among both public and private schools.
Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Yale rounded out the top five in terms of overall national universities.
Read the entire list from the U.S. News & World Report here.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
Related Stories
‹

UNC Sees 30 Graduate Programs Place Highly in 2025 U.S. News & World Report RankingsTwo UNC graduate schools placed in the top three of their respective categories in the 2025 rankings shared by the U.S. News & World Report.

UNC Ranked No. 5 Public University, Best Value in Latest U.S. News & World Report ListThe latest rankings from the U.S. News & World Report continued UNC 23-year streak of top 5 finishes among public universities.

UNC Rises to No. 4 in Princeton Review's List of Best Public University ValueUNC is ranked highly once again in The Princeton Review and U.S. World & News Report's latest university rankings.
![]()
UNC's Reputation Holds Steady in National, Global College RankingsUNC tied for 28th - unchanged from last year - in this year's edition of U.S. News & World's Report's list of "America's Best Colleges."

Shaquille O'Neal Featured Among 2026 Performers for Chapel Thrill Concert SeriesUNC has announced its setlist for the 2026 Chapel Thrill Concert Series. The series is part of the school’s “Chapel Thrill Game Day,” which debuted in 2025. The concerts are the centerpiece of the festivities, with the stage located on Polk Place in front of Wilson Library in the heart of the UNC campus. Each […]

UNC Volleyball Picked 5th in ACC Preseason Poll; 2 Tar Heels Receive All-ACC HonorsUNC has been picked to finish fifth in the ACC’s preseason volleyball poll, and Tar Heels Chelsea Thorpe and Safi Hampton both were named to the league’s preseason All-ACC team. Thorpe enters the final season of her collegiate career after posing 318 kills and 90 blocks in 2025, while Hampton’s 399 kills led the team. […]
![]()
The Morning News: Expanding the Arts, Chatham Transit, Michael LombardiIn today's news: the Eno Arts Mill is set to reopen, UNC moves to expand the Ackland Art Museum, and Michael Lombardi speaks out.

Major UNC Alumnus, Donor Announces Plans to Give Away North Carolina Boat Company's ProceedsEddie Smith Jr., a UNC alumnus and major donor, is cementing the spirit and philanthropic efforts of his company, Grady-White Boats.
![]()
UNC Football Under Microscope Again With Lombardi's Administrative Leave – Stroman On Sports (July 31, 2026)The Hill's Deborah Stroman and Brighton McConnell chat on Friday, July 31, about UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi landing on administrative leave amid a university-led investigation.
![]()
On Air Today: Proposing a 'Village at South Campus' (Including the Dean Dome)The ongoing push to keep UNC basketball at the Smith Center now includes a proposed 'Village at South Campus' around the arena.
›