Popular majors include communication and media studies, psychology, biology, business administration, management and operations, and economics.

In-state tuition and fees (undergraduate): $8,562 Out-of-state tuition and fees (undergraduate): $33,644 In-state tuition and fees (graduate/professional): $11,046 Out-of-state tuition and fees (graduate/professional): $28,256

Financial aid/scholarships: 43.7 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid, the average award being $14,866. The university’s Carolina Covenant program helps eligible low-income students pay for college and graduate debt-free.

Military service-related funding opportunities exist through the UNC Air Force ROTC and UNC Army ROTC.

Notable alumni include basketball player Rick Fox, U.S. president James K. Polk, U.S. senator John Edwards, actress Louise Fletcher, actor Andy Griffith, radio personality Rick Dees, comedian Lewis Black, sportscasters Marty Brennaman and Stuart Scott, and broadcaster Roger Mudd.

When you step onto UNC-Chapel Hill’s immaculately landscaped campus, you can sense it’s a place rich in history. Majestic oak trees and centuries-old buildings remind you that this institution opened its doors in 1795 as the nation’s first public university. But don’t think for a minute that the educational offerings are out-of-date. Admission is highly selective (an acceptance rate of 26.7 percent), and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine consistently ranks the school among the best public colleges in the United States for high-quality academics at an affordable price. Furthermore, UNC-Chapel Hill (along with North Carolina State University and Duke University) is part of “The Triangle”—one of the major centers of education, research, and technology in the South. The majority of your classmates will be state residents, as state law mandates that at least 82 percent of each freshmen class be from North Carolina, Everyone, however, should feel right at home. Chapel Hill is known as an awesome college town, with its restaurants and shops focused on the college audience. Students and locals alike enjoy coming together to support Tar Heel men’s basketball—a perennial NCAA powerhouse where greats such as Michael Jordan and Vince Carter got their starts.

University Career Services is devoted to helping students and alumni find rewarding careers. The process can start as early as one’s first or second year by taking a pass/fail course called Career Exploration offered by the School of Education and taught by career counselors. Upperclassmen may seek assistance finding internships and study abroad opportunities that may help with future employment. Students and alumni also have access to Careerolina—an online tool featuring job postings, details about on-campus recruiting, dates and locations of career fairs, and contact information for various employers. Staff members skilled in job-search strategies are available to offer guidance, conduct mock interviews, and to help craft resumes, cover letters, and even social media profiles. University Career Services maintains a blog that profiles different career options and offers advice about common concerns job seekers share.