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.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Again Ranks Among Best Universities, Best Value in Public Higher Education
UNC has once again been listed by the US News & World Report as one of the top public universities in the country and the best value among national public universities. The university checks in at No. 30 in the overall university rankings, tying with the University of California – Santa Barbara and New York […]
UNC's Primary Medical Care Program Ranks Best in Nation
UNC School of Medicine’s Primary Care program came in the top spot in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools” rankings. The program was ranked No. 2 in last year’s rankings. Vice Dean for Education for the UNC School of Medicine Dr. Julie Byerly called the achievement a point of pride for the university. “We’ve […]
UNC Celebrates School of Pharmacy No. 1 Ranking
Leaders from around the UNC campus gathered on Wednesday to honor students and faculty at the Eshelman School of Pharmacy, after the school was named the top pharmacy school in the country by US News and World Report. The School of Pharmacy was one of several graduate programs to receive high marks. Dean Bob Blouin […]
A 'Village at South Campus'? Advocates for the Smith Center Expand Their Push
Advocates for keeping UNC basketball at the Smith Center are expanding their push, calling for a fully-developed "Village at South Campus."
Granted Extra Year, South Dakota Center Cameron Fens Commits to UNC Men's Basketball
Seven-foot center Cameron Fens, who had exhausted his collegiate eligibility until a recent court ruling granted him and other graduating athletes one more season, committed to UNC Friday afternoon. View this post on Instagram Fens, originally from Dubuque, IA, graduated high school in 2022. He began his career with Illinois-Chicago in the Missouri Valley Conference […]
Freshmen, Transfers and More: Every Newcomer Joining UNC Men's Basketball for the 2026-27 Season
As Michael Malone embarks on his first season as the head coach of the UNC men’s basketball program, he’s gotten busy securing the additions of several newcomers to the program. Malone and his staff have mined from traditional high school recruiting and the transfer portal to fill out Carolina’s roster, and that work is continuing […]
Merritt's Grill Opening Second Location in Chapel Hill; Einstein Bros. Bagels Opening First
Merritt’s Grill, whose BLT sandwiches have been a staple of the Chapel Hill culinary scene since the restaurant opened in 1992, is opening a second location at Finley Golf Club. The restaurant will provide dine-in, to-go and catering services inside the newly refurbished Finley clubhouse and will be open to both players and non-players. An […]
On Air Today: Talking UNC Men's Soccer, with Head Coach Carlos Somoano
Aaron welcomes UNC men's soccer head coach Carlos Somoano to the studio, ahead of the start of the 2026 season.
UNC Football Ramping Up Intensity as Fall Training Camp Hits 1-Week Mark
Thursday morning marked one week of UNC’s fall training camp, and head coach Bill Belichick said the team has been steadily ramping up the intensity of its sessions. Wednesday was the Tar Heels’ first day of practice in pads, as the “acclimation period” portion of camp comes to an end. “The competition really starts this […]
UNC Fundraising Leader Set to Leave After Record-Breaking Year, Staff Dissatisfaction
UNC announced on Wednesday Vice Chancellor for University Development Michael Andreasen will depart after more than three years in the job.
›