Carolina by the numbers | UNC-Chapel Hill
Source: https://www.unc.edu/about/by-the-numbers
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:26
Carolina by the numbers | UNC-Chapel Hill
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Last updated at 4:01am
Tuesday,
March 17th, 2026
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20,885
undergraduate students
11,553
graduate and professional students
1st
and only public university in the United States to award degrees in the 18th century
85
doctoral degree programs
79
bachelor's degree programs
159
master's degree programs
371,000
living alumni in 50 states and D.C. and 152 countries
4,374
faculty members
10,141
staff members
“It’s a great day to be a Tar Heel” is a phrase you’ll often hear around Carolina, and for a good reason. Every day, Tar Heels create a positive impact on the world by improving their communities and inspiring change through their talents. They’re artists, scientists, humanitarians, researchers and innovators doing extraordinary things.
Meet some of our students and alumni to find out why every day really is a great day to be a Tar Heel.
Established in 1980 by the late C. Knox Massey ’25 of Durham, the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award recognizes “unusual, meritorious or superior contributions” by University employees.
Learn more about the faculty and staff who make Carolina so special.
The nation's first public university, UNC-Chapel Hill is home to centuries-old traditions and experiences that connect generations of Tar Heels.
Watch the Bell Tower lighting the night before the first day of class, go for a stroll on Franklin Street and cheer on the Tar Heels in Kenan Stadium.
Learn more about the places and experiences that make the Tar Heel experience so special.
Two Nobel Laureates
Dr. Aziz Sancar
, co-recipient of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and
Dr. Oliver Smithies
(1925-2017), co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Celebrating the Class of 2025
More than 6,800 Tar Heels, including undergraduate, graduate and professional students, had their Carolina degrees conferred at Spring Commencement on May 10.
Meet our newest alumni
Student achievement
57
Rhodes Scholars since the program began in 1902
41
Luce Scholars for internship in Asia
5
Goldwater scholars in 2025, a University record
15 of last 16
years named a Fulbright "top producing institution"
Nearly 47%
of Carolina undergraduates study abroad before graduation
15
varsity athletic teams posted perfect 1000 scores in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rates for 2023-24
4th
in the annual Learfield Directors’ Cup in 2024-25 — sixth straight top-10 finish
Affordability
Carolina is one of the nation’s few public flagship campuses to practice need-blind admissions for the state’s residents and make the promise of a Carolina education possible for all students who earn admission and are eligible for aid. UNC-Chapel Hill has ranked No. 1 for best value among public institutions according to U.S. News & World Report
for 21 straight years
.
The
Carolina Covenant
, which
just celebrated its 20th anniversary
, has offered lower-income students who earn admission the opportunity to graduate debt-free. In fall 2024, Carolina began covering out-of-pocket costs for tuition and mandatory fees for
North Carolina undergraduates whose families make less than $80,000 per year
and have typical assets.
Inclusive excellence
At Carolina, inclusive excellence is about celebrating all members of the community, broadening our collective understanding and fostering a sense of belonging.
Outreach and Service
Students, faculty and staff dedicate thousands of hours each year to helping our communities by performing service projects and participating in outreach programs. One hundred and forty students graduated as Buckley Public Service Scholars in 2025, logging more than 72,000 hours of public service.
Carolina also had nearly 65 advisers of the Carolina College Advising Corps serving 81 high schools to support North Carolinians and help students find colleges where they will thrive.
Learn more about Carolina’s service to our state
Research with impact
Carolina boasts a world-class research operation where great ideas turn into outcomes that improve the quality of life for all people. Our work also fuels North Carolina’s economy, supporting businesses, meeting community needs and caring for our citizens. We train future leaders with hands-on learning experiential opportunities in labs and field sites across the state and globe.
Learn how the University’s research serves North Carolina, the nation and beyond
.
Instead of trying every possible combination, Kelvin Idanwekhai’s algorithm makes the process faster, cheaper and more precise.
Field sites in Highlands, the Outer Banks, Morehead City and Chapel Hill immerse students in the locations they study.
The Sports Analytics and Intelligence Lab teaches Carolina undergraduates how statistics can bolster athletic success.
1,079
total Carolina-affiliated startups launched
478
Carolina-affiliated startups headquartered in 34 NC counties
$19.8 billion
in total funding raised by Carolina startups
$19.2 billion
in annual revenue earned by UNC-Chapel Hill startups (FY2024)
158
invention disclosures (FY2025)
15,789
jobs created for North Carolinians by Carolina-affiliated startups
History and traditions
Mission and values
Discover Carolina
Carolina news
Share This
Facebook
LinkedIn
Share on Mastodon
Alert Carolina!
Normal
The University is currently operating under normal conditions
Last updated at 4:01am
Tuesday,
March 17th, 2026
Skip to Main Content
20,885
undergraduate students
11,553
graduate and professional students
1st
and only public university in the United States to award degrees in the 18th century
85
doctoral degree programs
79
bachelor's degree programs
159
master's degree programs
371,000
living alumni in 50 states and D.C. and 152 countries
4,374
faculty members
10,141
staff members
“It’s a great day to be a Tar Heel” is a phrase you’ll often hear around Carolina, and for a good reason. Every day, Tar Heels create a positive impact on the world by improving their communities and inspiring change through their talents. They’re artists, scientists, humanitarians, researchers and innovators doing extraordinary things.
Meet some of our students and alumni to find out why every day really is a great day to be a Tar Heel.
Established in 1980 by the late C. Knox Massey ’25 of Durham, the C. Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award recognizes “unusual, meritorious or superior contributions” by University employees.
Learn more about the faculty and staff who make Carolina so special.
The nation's first public university, UNC-Chapel Hill is home to centuries-old traditions and experiences that connect generations of Tar Heels.
Watch the Bell Tower lighting the night before the first day of class, go for a stroll on Franklin Street and cheer on the Tar Heels in Kenan Stadium.
Learn more about the places and experiences that make the Tar Heel experience so special.
Two Nobel Laureates
Dr. Aziz Sancar
, co-recipient of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and
Dr. Oliver Smithies
(1925-2017), co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Celebrating the Class of 2025
More than 6,800 Tar Heels, including undergraduate, graduate and professional students, had their Carolina degrees conferred at Spring Commencement on May 10.
Meet our newest alumni
Student achievement
57
Rhodes Scholars since the program began in 1902
41
Luce Scholars for internship in Asia
5
Goldwater scholars in 2025, a University record
15 of last 16
years named a Fulbright "top producing institution"
Nearly 47%
of Carolina undergraduates study abroad before graduation
15
varsity athletic teams posted perfect 1000 scores in the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rates for 2023-24
4th
in the annual Learfield Directors’ Cup in 2024-25 — sixth straight top-10 finish
Affordability
Carolina is one of the nation’s few public flagship campuses to practice need-blind admissions for the state’s residents and make the promise of a Carolina education possible for all students who earn admission and are eligible for aid. UNC-Chapel Hill has ranked No. 1 for best value among public institutions according to U.S. News & World Report
for 21 straight years
.
The
Carolina Covenant
, which
just celebrated its 20th anniversary
, has offered lower-income students who earn admission the opportunity to graduate debt-free. In fall 2024, Carolina began covering out-of-pocket costs for tuition and mandatory fees for
North Carolina undergraduates whose families make less than $80,000 per year
and have typical assets.
Inclusive excellence
At Carolina, inclusive excellence is about celebrating all members of the community, broadening our collective understanding and fostering a sense of belonging.
Outreach and Service
Students, faculty and staff dedicate thousands of hours each year to helping our communities by performing service projects and participating in outreach programs. One hundred and forty students graduated as Buckley Public Service Scholars in 2025, logging more than 72,000 hours of public service.
Carolina also had nearly 65 advisers of the Carolina College Advising Corps serving 81 high schools to support North Carolinians and help students find colleges where they will thrive.
Learn more about Carolina’s service to our state
Research with impact
Carolina boasts a world-class research operation where great ideas turn into outcomes that improve the quality of life for all people. Our work also fuels North Carolina’s economy, supporting businesses, meeting community needs and caring for our citizens. We train future leaders with hands-on learning experiential opportunities in labs and field sites across the state and globe.
Learn how the University’s research serves North Carolina, the nation and beyond
.
Instead of trying every possible combination, Kelvin Idanwekhai’s algorithm makes the process faster, cheaper and more precise.
Field sites in Highlands, the Outer Banks, Morehead City and Chapel Hill immerse students in the locations they study.
The Sports Analytics and Intelligence Lab teaches Carolina undergraduates how statistics can bolster athletic success.
1,079
total Carolina-affiliated startups launched
478
Carolina-affiliated startups headquartered in 34 NC counties
$19.8 billion
in total funding raised by Carolina startups
$19.2 billion
in annual revenue earned by UNC-Chapel Hill startups (FY2024)
158
invention disclosures (FY2025)
15,789
jobs created for North Carolinians by Carolina-affiliated startups
History and traditions
Mission and values
Discover Carolina
Carolina news
Share This
Share on Mastodon