Carolina's rankings
Carolina figures prominently in assessments and rankings centered on national academic leadership within research funding, excellence of programs, affordability, diversity and opportunities. Here are a few highlights:
First among the 100 best U.S. public colleges and universities that offer students high-quality academics at an affordable price, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, for the 18th time.
Second in the United States and 22nd worldwide for sustainability in higher education, according to the Times Higher Education magazine rankings (2020).
Third best public university in 2021 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings. Also, 33rd in the same college ranking among all public and private universities nationwide.
Fifth in top public university rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 “Best Colleges,” for the 20th consecutive year. Also, in the same ranking, 1st in “best value” among public national universities and 14th overall among public and private universities.
Fifth among research universities for federal funding devoted to development and research (fiscal year 2018, National Science Foundation).
Sixth in the “Reuters Top 100” ranking of the World’s Most Innovative Universities (2019).
Seventh among public and private universities nationwide for Department of Health and Human Services and National Institutes of Health research funding to domestic institutions of higher education (fiscal year 2018, National Science Foundation).
Thirtieth worldwide (tied) and also tied for 20th in the United States among global universities, according to the 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities.
UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy (1st nationwide), UNC School of Medicine (3rd, primary care program), Gillings School of Global Public Health (2nd nationwide; 1st in public universities), School of Information and Library Science (tied for 2nd nationwide), UNC School of Nursing (tied for 6th nationwide, overall master's programs; 1st, public master’s degree category; 1st, overall public graduate school programs; 11th, Doctor of Nursing Practice), UNC School of Education (25th, overall) and UNC School of Law (24th, overall; 8th in public law schools) in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 “Best Graduate Schools” list.
Peace Corps ranks Carolina fifth in 2019 list of top volunteer-producing large colleges and universities.
Among nine institutions nationwide named “advisory institutions” by Center for First-generation Student Success for long-standing commitment to first-generation students and ability to serve as mentor to other selected institutions (2019).
The first and only public university in the United States to award degrees in the 18th century.
Received the 2018 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine – the oldest, largest, diversity-focused publication.
Over $1 billion reached in annual research expenditures (fiscal year 2020).
767 research projects directly addressed health, education or well-being of North Carolina citizens in 2016.
Sources:
University Communications, UNC Research