The University of North Carolina System is a public, multi-campus university dedicated to serving our state and its people through world-class teaching, research and scholarship, and outreach and service. The oldest public university in the nation, UNC traces its roots to the state’s 1776 constitution, which held that “All useful Learning shall be duly encouraged and promoted in one or more Universities.” Today, nearly 225,000 students are enrolled on 16 university campuses across the state and at the NC School of Science and Mathematics, the country’s first public, residential high school for gifted students.

Over two centuries, UNC has evolved into one of the strongest and most successful systems of public higher education in the nation. Its centuries-old roots remain central to its modern role.  Today’s mission—to discover, create, transmit, and apply knowledge to address the needs of individuals and society—remains true to the University’s founding ideal of shared knowledge in a free society.  

1. Appalachian State University
2. East Carolina University
3. Elizabeth City State University
4. Fayetteville State University
5. North Carolina A&T State University
6. North Carolina Central University
7. North Carolina State University
8. UNC Asheville
9. UNC-Chapel Hill
10. UNC Charlotte
11. UNC Greensboro
12. UNC Pembroke
13. UNC Wilmington
14. UNC School of the Arts
15. Western Carolina University
16. Winston-Salem State University
17. NC School of Science and Mathematics 

By state statute, the following organizations are affiliated entities of the University of North Carolina System.

UNC Health Care System
UNC Health Care exists to further the teaching mission of the University of North Carolina and to provide state-of-the-art patient care. Based in Chapel Hill, it is associated with the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, a nationally eminent research institution.

Public Media North Carolina
Public Media North Carolina (PMNC) advances the integrated missions of UNC-TV, North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the  Explorer Channel. In addition to programming for its four channels and web and social media platforms, the organization leads community engagement activities throughout North Carolina; these include issues about children and education, military and veterans affairs, health and medicine, science and technology, arts and culture, and civic and municipal issues. Additionally, PMNC broadcast and streaming capabilities enable and support emergency services messages and alerts across the state.

The North Carolina Arboretum
Located in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, The North Carolina Arboretum cultivates connections between people and plants through creative expressions of landscape stewardship.

The University of North Carolina Press
UNC Press is nationally and internationally recognized for quality books and the thoughtful way they are published with more than 4,000 titles published and almost 1,500 titles still in print, UNC Press produces books that endure.

UNC Center for School Leadership Development
Created in order to extend the resources of higher education to the public schools by offering a comprehensive selection of professional development opportunities designed for educators.

The North Carolina Center for International Understanding (NCCIU)
Blends international and domestic programs, taking North Carolina policy leaders and teachers abroad on short-term study programs in order to gain an in-depth understanding of another culture and a global issue.

The North Carolina State Approving Agency (NCSAA)
The agency that approves  and determines whether educational programs are appropriate for veterans to enroll in and utilize their VA educational benefits.

The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA)
The State agency that promotes access to higher education by administering financial aid and savings programs, informing students and families about paying for college, teaching educators about financial aid administration, and advocating for resources to support students.