The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation's first public university, has long been known as one of the best bargains for a competitive school. Among the strongest departments at UNC are biology and other sciences, traditional liberal arts such as religious studies, and journalism. The school is tough to get into, only admitting about 16% of applicants to join its roughly 20,000-person undergraduate student body. (Out-of-state applicants face even longer odds.) UNC has a high six-year graduation rate of 91% — one of the highest in the country for public colleges.
UNC is one of the more affordable schools we researched. For in-state students, the estimated net price of a degree comes in at a little over $94,000, according to Money’s calculations. And that’s before looking at federal and state financial aid. Thanks to the Carolina Covenant, students from families with a total income that is at or below 200% of the federal poverty guideline and who meet other financial criteria will qualify for financial aid covering their full financial need, without the need of loans.
Outside of the classroom, sports play a big role on campus: Basketball games are typically sold out, especially when the Tar Heels face Duke, their fiercest rival. The Tar Heels are regular contenders in the annual March Madness tournament, but basketball is hardly the university's most successful sport. The women's soccer team has more than 20 NCAA titles.
