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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

153A Country Club Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill award
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill award
US ranking
position: 40
Tuition & fees per year: $8,997
Acceptance rate: 20.00%
Median alumni salary: $46,617
Avg. SAT and ACT: 1260 SAT, 25 ACT
Entrance difficulty: N/A

What is the history of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was founded in 1795 by William Richardson Davie, a Revolutionary War military officer and future governor of North Carolina. The university began with one building, Old East, which is now a National Historic Landmark and the oldest state university building in America. The first student, Hinton James, arrived on February 12, 1795, making the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill one of the oldest public universities in the United States.

Throughout the 1800s, the university experienced growth in both student numbers and educational programs. However, during the Reconstruction period, a lack of consistent state funding led to the university becoming inactive. It resumed operations in 1875, thanks to the efforts of Kemp P. Battle, who later became North Carolina State Treasurer and President of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The university continued to expand during the twentieth century, establishing the first academic honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1904. By 1907, a University Woman's Club was present on campus, and in 1921, the School of Public Health was incorporated. World War II brought about new construction and alterations on campus as the university's facilities were used to train military personnel.

Originally known as the University of North Carolina, the institution was renamed the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the 1970s after other state universities were combined into a single public university system. The university became coeducational in 1877 under the leadership of President Kemp Plummer Battle and began the process of desegregation in 1951 when African-American graduate students were admitted.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a rich history of notable alumni, including 49 Rhodes Scholars, 23 Truman Scholars, and 12 Luce Scholars. The university has also produced 38 North Carolina governors, 9 U.S. governors, and 9 U.S. Supreme Court Justices. The athletic program is strong, with 27 varsity sports teams that have won 46 NCAA national championships.

Today, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers 78 bachelor's, 112 master's, 68 doctoral, and seven professional degree programs through its 14 schools and the College of Arts and Sciences. The William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education serves adult learners through credit and noncredit course offerings. The school has 18,579 undergraduates, with total enrollment reaching 29,137. According to Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, as of February 2012, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was ranked first among the 100 best U.S. public colleges that offer students high-quality academics at an affordable price. The magazine also rated the university for providing the best value for out-of-state students.

What are the faculties and departments at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill boasts a diverse array of faculties and departments for students to explore. The largest school within the university is the College of Arts and Sciences, which encompasses over 70 majors and minors in fields such as humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Another notable school is the Gillings School of Global Public Health, offering programs in public health, environmental sciences, and health policy and management.

For those interested in education, the School of Education provides undergraduate and graduate programs in the field. The Kenan-Flagler Business School offers programs in business administration and accounting, while the School of Law features a Juris Doctor program, as well as master's and doctoral programs in law. The School of Medicine covers programs in medicine, nursing, and dentistry, and the School of Social Work focuses on social work and counseling.

The Eshelman School of Pharmacy offers pharmacy programs, and the Hussman School of Journalism and Media provides programs in journalism and media studies. The School of Information and Library Science focuses on information science and library science programs. Additionally, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers interdisciplinary programs such as the Robertson Scholars Leadership Program and the Morehead-Cain Scholarship Program, further expanding the range of academic opportunities for prospective students.

What is the location of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is situated in the city of Chapel Hill, in the southern region of the United States. The campus spans 729 acres in the downtown area of Chapel Hill, encompassing the Morehead Planetarium and Franklin Street. As the flagship institution of the University of North Carolina system, it is considered one of the "Public Ivies."

The campus is divided into three distinct regions: north campus, middle campus, and south campus. North campus features two quads, the Pit, Frank Porter Graham Student Union, and the Davis, House, and Wilson libraries.

What is the mission and vision of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, founded in 1789, has a mission to serve not only North Carolina but also the United States and the world through teaching, research, and public service. The institution aspires to be a leading global public research university, renowned for its innovative teaching, research, and public service. With a commitment to excellence, the university aims to lead change, improve society, and address the world's most pressing issues. Its founding principles, lux and libertas, or light and liberty, guide the university's approach to teaching, research, and public service.

In pursuit of providing an exceptional education, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill prepares its students to become leaders in their respective fields. The university is dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, striving to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of its community. Additionally, the institution extends knowledge-based services and resources to the citizens of North Carolina and their institutions, aiming to enhance the quality of life for all people in the state. The university's mission statement highlights its commitment to increasing access to learning and promoting the success and prosperity of each rising generation.

As one of the world's leading research universities, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's mission and vision align with the broader mission of the University of North Carolina System. This system seeks to discover, create, transmit, and apply knowledge to address the needs of individuals and society. The university's unwavering commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and public service dates back to its founding, and it remains dedicated to its founding principles of light and liberty. The mission and vision of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill demonstrate its commitment to serving the people of North Carolina and the world, as well as preparing the next generation of leaders.

What is the accreditation of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS), ensuring that the institution meets high standards of quality and provides a valuable education to its students. In addition to this regional accreditation, the university also boasts various specialized accreditations for specific programs. These specialized accreditations come from organizations such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), and the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH).

Prospective students considering the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill can find accredited programs in diverse fields, including Information Science, Library Science, Speech-Language Pathology, Medical Education, and Nursing. Attending a regionally accredited institution like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is crucial for those who seek a high-quality education and wish to ensure that their degree is recognized and valued by future employers and educational institutions.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Rankings

See where this school lands in our other Rankings to get a bigger picture of the institution's offerings.

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Level of institution

Four or more years

Granulation by control over the institution (public/private)

Public

School type

University

Setting type

City: Small

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1789

Institution size category

20,000 and above

Main student body

Coeducational

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Programs and Degrees

iconMaster's degree
iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconCertificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
iconPost-master's certificate
iconDoctor's degree - research/scholarship
iconDoctor's degree - professional practice
iconOther degree
iconCertificate of at least 2 years, but less than 4 years
iconAssociate's degree
iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconDoctor's degree - other

Alumni Salary for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Degrees

Degrees

Avg. salary

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

$28,837

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

$24,522

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

$57,265

Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

$37,726

Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

$65,777

Education

$33,646

Engineering

$56,387

English Language and Literature/Letters

$25,909

Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

$30,312

Health Professions and Related Programs

$48,875

History

$28,703

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

$33,170

Mathematics and Statistics

$56,333

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

$37,050

Natural Resources and Conservation

$29,460

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology

$26,942

Philosophy and Religious Studies

$32,824

Physical Sciences

$34,523

Psychology

$28,990

Public Administration and Social Service Professions

$39,751

Social Sciences

$36,382

Visual and Performing Arts

$23,501