Hey y'all, anyone know anything about the public colleges in North Carolina? I'm especially interested to hear about the campus life, notable programs, and availability of in-state scholarships. Thanks a bunch!
Sure, I'd be happy to provide some information on a few prominent public universities in North Carolina.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) is a well-regarded public university known for its quality education. The campus life is vibrant with a diverse student population and has proximity to the Research Triangle, a major center for advanced technology and bio-medical research. It boasts strong programs in Business, Journalism, and Public Health.
The university also offers a number of in-state scholarships including the Carolina Covenant, which covers 100% of financial need for low-income families, and the Morehead-Cain Scholarship, a competitive merit scholarship that covers tuition, student fees, housing, meals, books, a laptop, and supplies.
North Carolina State University (NCSU) located in Raleigh offers a rich and active campus life as well, including a variety of clubs and organizations. NCSU is well-known for its Engineering and Textiles programs. They offer several scholarship programs for North Carolinian students such as the Park Scholarships and Goodnight Scholars Program.
Additionally, Appalachian State University in Boone is known for its Environmental Science and Sustainability programs. The App State campus has outdoor-oriented activities and a strong sense of community. Several in-state scholarships are available, including the Appalachian Commitment to a College Education for Student Success (ACCESS) for low-income North Carolinians.
In terms of average cost after in-state scholarships and financial aid, UNC Chapel Hill tends to be the most affordable, followed by NCSU, and then Appalachian State.
Each of these colleges offer unique experiences and opportunities. I would recommend visiting the campuses if you can, as being on campus yourself gives you a more concrete feel for what might be a good fit for you. While they're all public institutions in North Carolina, they can vary quite a bit in terms of size, exact location, and overall campus culture.
As you build your college list, you may find college search engines useful, like CollegeVine's, which allows you to filter schools based on a range of factors, including not just location and public/private status, but also majors offered, student/faculty ratio, admissions requirements, and so on. This tool can help you build a list of schools that are sure to be a good all-around fit for you. You can access the search engine here: https://www.collegevine.com/schools/hub/all
Good luck with your college search!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.