Who We Are

Map of North Carolina showing locations of UNC System Institutions

17 Institutions

One of them is for you.

The UNC System is a public university system made up of 16 universities and the nation's first public residential high school for gifted students. Learn about our institutions and affiliate organizations that are serving North Carolina in higher education, health care, public television, financial aid, online learning, and beyond.

Who We Are

17 Institutions

One of them is for you

Get to know the UNC System

Click on the stars on the map or explore our institutions page to learn more about the 17 unique institutions that make up the University of North Carolina System.

UNC System affiliates serve North Carolina in higher education, health care, television, and beyond.

OUR STUDENTS

247,928

students were enrolled in UNC System institutions in fall 2024

students transferred into the UNC System from North Carolina community colleges in fall 2023

military affiliated students were enrolled in institutions across the UNC System in fall 2023

WHAT WE OFFER

Affordable higher education for all North Carolinians

Through NC Promise, the state has significantly reduced student tuition cost to $500 per semester for North Carolina residents at four UNC System institutions: Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Western Carolina University.

75%

of undergraduate and graduate students from North Carolina benefit from scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid

$4,553

average annual tuition and fees across the System for North Carolina residents

Positive return on investment

The median lifetime return on investment for UNC System undergraduate degree holders is nearly

The median lifetime return on investment for UNC System graduate degree holders is close to

Innovation through research

From the mountains to the coast, students and faculty across the UNC System have made North Carolina a research and development powerhouse.

in research grants and sponsored programs across the UNC System

UNC System News

Students impacted by hurricane will receive extra scholarship support

In response to the hardships caused by Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority is awarding additional financial aid to eligible students at Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina Asheville and Western Carolina University, and to eligible students from impacted counties at the other UNC institutions.