UNC-Chapel Hill ranked No. 1 best public value; tied for No. 4 public university by U.S. News & World Report

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill proves that it is possible to deliver both excellence and affordability. Ranked No. 4 among public universities and No. 1 for best value among public institutions in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, Carolina continues to deliver a world-class education at a cost that makes it accessible to students from all backgrounds.

Carolina has been ranked among the top 5 public universities for 24 consecutive years and a best value among public universities for 21 years.

"Rising from No. 5 to No. 4 in these rankings clearly shows the impact of our public mission and the hard work of our students, faculty and staff," said UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. "Holding strong as the No. 1 public university for best value affirms our relentless pursuit of an accessible, affordable education. Our goal is to be the nation's best public university, and this recognition shows we are on the right path. I am grateful to everyone whose dedication continues to drive Carolina forward."

The 2026 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings evaluates more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success. Among all colleges - public and private - Carolina ranked No. 26 overall.

Additional 2026 Best Colleges rankings for UNC-Chapel Hill include:

• Tied for No. 4 for Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Ranked No. 7 in management
• Tied for No. 7 in marketing
• Tied for No. 8 for the undergraduate business program
• Ranked No. 8 in finance
• Tied for No. 8 for best colleges for veterans
• Ranked No. 10 in real estate
• Tied for No. 11 in psychology
• Tied for No. 12 in entrepreneurship
• Tied for No.14 in production/operations management
• Tied for No. 20 in accounting

UNC-Chapel Hill has a number of programs to help make college more affordable. Since 2004, the Carolina Covenant has helped more than 11,000 low-income students graduate debt-free through scholarships, work-study and grants - about half of them first-generation college students. Complementary programs like the Kessler Scholars (for rural first-generation students), the Blue Sky Scholarships (focused on helping exceptionally qualified students from middle-income families) and the Tar Heel Guarantee (for North Carolina students from families earning less than $80,000) further support affordability for students from North Carolina.

These efforts have yielded impressive results: 70% of Carolina undergraduates graduate without any student loan debt, an achievement that distinguishes the University from its peer institutions.

Additionally, the University's graduates enjoy a strong return on investment, with studies showing an average ROI of approximately $500,000 over their careers. These initiatives underscore Carolina's mission to ensure that a world-class education remains within reach for talented students from all backgrounds.

Please note: Not all programs are ranked by U.S. News & World Report every year. For a complete list of rankings for UNC-Chapel Hill, visit the U.S. News & World Report website.