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Carolina ranks as best value public for 21st straight year
Published Sept. 23, 2025
What to know
UNC-Chapel Hill ranks as the No. 1 best value public university in the 2026 U.S. News and World Report rankings released Sept. 23. Carolina has held that ranking for 21 years.
The University also ranks No. 4 among public universities, up one spot from last year. Carolina has been among the top five in that category for 24 consecutive years.
The rankings are a testament to Carolina’s commitment to affordability and excellence. Carolina continues to deliver a world-class education at a cost that makes it accessible to students from all backgrounds.
Keep scrolling to go beyond the rankings and see where else Carolina ranks.
Best value
Carolina has a number of programs to help make college more affordable. Initiatives like the Carolina Covenant, Blue Sky Scholarship and Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program have made UNC-Chapel Hill a leader in affordability for decades.
Read more about these programs and hear from Tar Heel students, parents and alumni about how they found academic excellence and affordability in Chapel Hill.
James Orr, senior vice provost for student success“We're laser-focused in ensuring that we’re offering an accessible and affordable education for students and families, and that is being recognized by us having this No. 1 ranking. But we're not doing it for the rankings. We're doing it because that's who we are as an institution.”
Gracie Elliott, sophomore from Franklin, N.C."The Covenant has been the best thing that could have happened to me at Carolina."
Angela Patel, parent of a senior and a Carolina alum“We absolutely feel it is worth every penny for the return of everything it's given to our family."
Carolina affordability
Brian Woodard’s Heelprint is all over C-STEP
UNC-Chapel Hill's assistant director of admissions attended Carolina because of the program, and now his work helps generations of community college students do the same.
Her UNC-Chapel Hill nursing education prepares Naomi King to serve North Carolinians
The daughter of a Marine veteran, King learns inside and out the classroom at Carolina, a school that “had my back” financially, she says.
Future doctor makes state’s ‘mecca of health care’ home
Former Carolina Covenant scholar Bradley Lauck continues to excel at the UNC School of Medicine while also serving his country.
Carolina gave him the tools for connection
After a summer internship, Kessler scholar and a cappella singer Landon Day is ready to kick off his senior year with purpose.
Carolina Covenant looks back on 20 years
In this video, hear from Covenant founders, supporters and scholars whose lives the program has transformed.
For Zoe Tang, Carolina is a place to thrive
The first-year student from Forest City came to Chapel Hill to launch a medical career influenced by her mother’s cancer diagnosis.
Tar Heels connect through Carolina College Advising Corps
As part of a program to build a college-going culture, Jarrah Faye ’23 counseled Naima Nelson ’28 in high school.
Giving tours of Carolina strengthened Gillian Kepley’s love for it
Working at the UNC Visitors Center helped the new graduate afford a college education that will allow her to serve North Carolinians.
Dr. Renatta Craven made the most of the Carolina Covenant
The journey of one of the first students to use the financial aid package shows the power of the program.
2025 U.S. News & World Report Rankings
Notable Carolina rankings
UNC-Chapel Hill graduate programs ranked among best in nation
U.S. News & World Report's 2025 “Best Graduate Schools” list names multiple Carolina graduate degree programs in the Top 10.
Carolina ranked No. 3 best value public by Princeton Review
UNC-Chapel Hill rose one spot on the annual list and was recognized as No. 1 in financial aid and No. 2 best value without aid among publics.
Carolina named ‘new Ivy’ for second straight year
The Forbes list recognizes schools that are “outpacing most Ivy Leaguers in the eyes of employers.”
Eshelman retains No. 1 ranking for external research funding
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy reached an all-time high with more than $99.3 million in federal fiscal year 2024.
