UNC-Chapel Hill ranked No. 4 public university, moving up one spot in U.S. News & World Report rankings list

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the No. 4 ranked public university in the country and is No. 22 overall in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best College rankings released Monday.

Carolina, which has been among the top 5 public universities for more than 22 years, moved up one position from last year to No. 4. The University tied for 22nd overall among public and private institutions – up seven positions from a year ago. Carolina also ranked 14th place overall in the rankings for best value schools. The University has held first place among public institutions in the best value category for 19 years.

“Carolina’s ranking as one of the top four public universities in the country demonstrates our commitment to excellence, affordability, innovation, and service,” said UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz. “Our students, faculty, and staff strive to make Carolina the leading global public research university every day. This ranking recognizes our efforts to align our strategic priorities outlined in Carolina Next and move our university forward. Being passionately public, we are also proud to be recognized for our dedication to making Carolina’s world-class education accessible and affordable to people across our state and around the world.”

U.S. News & World Report assessed the year’s Best Colleges rankings by looking at 19 academic quality indicators, including graduate and retention rates; social mobility; faculty resources; academic quality assessments by peer institution presidents, provosts and deans; financial resources; student excellence and alumni giving.

In the publication’s newly added Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects category, Carolina ranks among the top-50 universities in the nation.

Additional 2024 Best Colleges rankings for UNC-Chapel Hill include:

• Listed No. 4 among universities awarding bachelor’s degrees in nursing
• Ranked No. 7 in management
• Ranked No. 7 in marketing
• The undergraduate business program tied for No. 8
• Tied for No. 12 in entrepreneurship
• Ranked No. 9 for Best Colleges for Veterans, up three rankings from 2023 – this ranking reflects Carolina’s continued commitment to military and military-affiliated student