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University of North Carolina at Pembroke

#643 in US ranking Pembroke, NC
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of North Carolina at Pembroke award
University of North Carolina at Pembroke award

Cost

Cost / year
$17,991
Tuition & fees
$3,611
Avg. aid
$6,756
Receiving aid
90%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
93%
SAT range
970–1200
ACT range
18–23

Outcomes

Graduation rate
44%
Median salary
$41,373
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of University of North Carolina at Pembroke?

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) was founded in 1887 to train teachers for American Indian communities in Robeson County. Its origins remain central to its identity: the institution began as the Croatan Normal School, at a time when educational opportunities for Native Americans in North Carolina were severely restricted.

The school later became Pembroke State College for Indians, then Pembroke State College as its enrollment and academic offerings expanded. It gained university status as Pembroke State University in 1969, joined the University of North Carolina system in 1972, and took its present name in 1996. Today it is a public university offering undergraduate and graduate study to a much broader student population while continuing to recognize its American Indian heritage.

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

UNCP organizes its academic programs principally through the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health Sciences, School of Business, School of Education, and Graduate School. Prospective students can explore fields ranging from biology, psychology, and criminal justice to business, teaching, social work, and nursing.

Degree requirements differ substantially by major. Teacher-preparation programs include requirements tied to educator licensure, while nursing and other clinical fields may have separate admission, placement, or progression rules beyond general university admission. Applicants comparing programs should check the current academic catalog for prerequisites, delivery format, clinical or fieldwork requirements, and whether a particular credential meets licensing requirements in the state where they intend to work.

What is the location of University of North Carolina at Pembroke?

UNCP's main campus is in Pembroke, a small town in Robeson County in southeastern North Carolina. Its setting differs from that of a large-city university: students seeking internships, shopping, or entertainment across the wider region may need to plan for travel.

Commuting is a significant part of campus life, and first-year students may register or park a car on campus. Fayetteville Regional Airport is a regional air-travel option. Students without a car should assess their specific housing, class, work, and transportation needs before assuming that off-campus destinations will be easy to reach.

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

UNCP describes its purpose as providing accessible public higher education, supporting student learning and service, and contributing to its region. Its institutional identity also emphasizes its founding relationship with American Indian education and the cultural history of southeastern North Carolina.

These are the university's stated priorities, not guarantees about any individual student's experience. UNCP is a public institution in the University of North Carolina system, not a religiously affiliated college. Applicants interested in its mission can look at how a prospective major connects classroom work with research, professional preparation, or community engagement.

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University of North Carolina at Pembroke Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Public

Setting type

Town: Distant

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

5,000 - 9,999

School type

Comprehensive higher education institution

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1887

University of North Carolina at Pembroke Accreditation

University of North Carolina at Pembroke is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

University of North Carolina at Pembroke Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconBachelor's degree
iconMaster's degree
iconPost-master's certificate
iconDoctor's degree - professional practice

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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