UNC System reaches record enrollment with all but one school seeing gains

RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The University of North Carolina System reached a record enrollment this fall, officials announced Wednesday, with the total number of students up 3.4% over 2024.

For the first time, North Carolina’s public universities surpassed a 250,000 students – with total enrollment at more than 256,000, according to preliminary figures.

“We’re happy to welcome more students than ever at our state universities,” said UNC System President Peter Hans. “We have been focused on providing affordable, accessible education to all North Carolinians, while raising graduation rates and lowering student debt. Families recognize that the UNC System delivers opportunity and value.”

The 16-institution system says the positive enrollment trend comes at a time of demographic challenge for higher education due to falling birth rates in the United States.

NC State remained the largest school in the system at 39,259 students after a 2.1% jump, with UNC Chapel Hill second in enrollment (34,099, 5.1%) and UNC Charlotte third (32,207, 3.6%).

All but one the schools recorded enrollment gains. After two years of growth, UNC Asheville experienced a 6% decline this fall, a year after Hurricane Helene ravaged much of western North Carolina. Due to a lack of drinking water in the city last fall, the campus was closed for 33 days during the peak of recruitment and campus tours for prospective students.

The campus is now fully operational.

Historically Black universities in the UNC System posted some of the largest percentage increases this year, including Fayetteville State University, at 7.3%; North Carolina A&T State University, at 6.7%; and N.C. Central University, at 6.8%.

In-state undergraduate tuition has not increased for nine years straight in the UNC System, and a simplified financial aid program is helping more families afford higher education. The Next NC Scholarship provides at least $5,000 a year to North Carolina students from households making $80,000 or less.

“Higher enrollment is good for our universities, of course, but it’s also good for North Carolina,” Hans said. “More people pursuing education and opportunity benefits our state over the long haul.”