Excellence
UNC Greensboro is continually recognized in national ranking lists for excellence, access, and affordability. Ranked North Carolina’s most affordable (net cost rank) university by the New York Times and one of America’s Best Colleges by Forbes, Money, and U.S. News and World Report, UNCG is a recognized leader. UNCG is also acknowledged for closing the black-white achievement gap and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for “excelling in access in success” with Pell-eligible students. National media specific accolades include the following:
In 2023, The New York Times unveiled the “Build Your Own College Rankings” search tool. UNCG ranked number one in North Carolina for net cost at $11,629. The customized rankings include overall success rank, 10-year income rank of alumni, economic mobility rank, and more. Visit NY Times Build Your Own College Rankings.
For the 26th consecutive year, UNC Greensboro has been recognized as one of the nation’s top institutions for undergraduates in the Princeton Review’s “Best 390 Colleges” guide and as one of the best regional colleges in the South. This recognition is based on feedback from 168,000 students, who shared their perspectives on professors, financial aid, campus amenities, school services, and more. Read more about how students praised UNCG.
In addition to these honors, UNCG earned a spot on Princeton Review’s Mental Health Awareness & Support Honor Roll reflecting the University’s dedication to fostering a supportive campus environment. Read more about why UNCG is a top choice for students.
This year marks the 34th consecutive year that UNCG has been recognized as a U.S. News “Best College.” Our success in the U.S. News & World Report is attributed to our academic reputation, graduate rate performance, faculty resources, among others.
For the sixth consecutive year, UNCG is a top ranked North Carolina institution for social mobility. UNCG is also on the outlet’s Best in the U.S. lists for National Universities, Social Mobility, Best Colleges for Veterans, Best Value, Top Public Schools, and is ranked for the nursing, psychology, business, and computer science programs.
UNCG is honored to be to be ranked No. 6 among Newsweek’s America’s Top Online Colleges. This ranking highlights the nation’s top 200 colleges and universities that offer online degree programs to learners who want to obtain an academic degree, including hybrid programs with online and offline courses or exams. Over 9,000 online learners were surveyed in the United States and asked to rate the institutions based on six different sub-dimensions: Organization and Accessibility, Support and Services, Cost of the Program, Reputation, Success, and Practical Relevance.
UNCG has been recognized by Money to be one of the best colleges in America. This title is awarded based on UNC Greensboro’s stellar graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, and alumni salaries.
UNCG is honored to be rated No. 22 on Washington Monthly’s Best Bang for the Buck in the Southeast. This rating is due to UNCG commitment to social mobility. Washington Monthly ranks four-year institutions based on their contributions to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and community and national service.
UNCG is honored to be recognized by The Wall Street Journal on their Best U.S. Colleges 2025 list. This rank of the top 500 universities in the nation is based on student outcomes, leadership environment, and diversity.
In a survey of over 50,000 students and recent graduates, The Wall Street Journal ranked UNCG No. 2 in North Carolina for student experience. This highlights our commitment to providing an exceptional college journey where students thrive both academically and personally.
The Wall Street Journal also names UNCG No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility. The ranking rewards institutions that “take in the highest proportion of students coming from lower-income families, while maintaining high graduation rates and having a positive impact on graduate salaries and minimizing the costs of attending the college.
UNCG is proud to be ranked No. 3 in North Carolina on the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges list. This list is the largest and most comprehensive ranking of schools for military service members and veterans. The ranking, derived from responses evaluates institutions based on their contributions to military students. Key factors considered include military-specific resources, student success metrics, and financial assistance.
UNCG has received notable recognition for its commitment to economic engagement and community service. It has been designated as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), highlighting its efforts to stimulate regional economic growth through innovative practices and community partnerships.
Additionally, UNCG has been awarded the Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification, which acknowledges its exemplary dedication to enhancing the quality of life in local communities through impactful research, collaborative initiatives, and service-learning experiences.
UNCG ranks No. 1 in North Carolina for the number of students who receive the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship. The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables Pell Grant funded students the means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to the country’s national security and economic prosperity.
UNCG is honored to be ranked 1st in North Carolina by NAFSA: Association of International Educators for the number of international students it serves. UNCG’s support of international students contributes $17.1 million and supports 172 jobs in the Piedmont Triad.
UNCG ranks No. 1 in North Carolina for the state of free speech on campus. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) rates policies that regulate student expression annually. FIRE’s College Free Speech Rankings score includes UNCG’s speech climate as “Above Average,” ranking the institution #22 in the nation.
UNCG has become North Carolina’s first public university to receive Family Forward NC certification, recognizing its commitment to family-friendly workplace policies. This accolade highlights UNCG’s efforts to support employees with benefits such as paid leave, childcare assistance, and wellness initiatives, enhancing work-life balance and employee satisfaction. The certification aligns with broader community goals to boost economic development and children’s health in Greensboro, further positioning UNCG as a leader in fostering supportive environments for both staff and student-parents.
Opportunity
UNC Greensboro is committed to serving traditionally underserved populations:
- 51% of all undergraduates self-identify as first-generation students
- 54% of students are people of color
- 57% of undergraduates receive Pell grants
- No.1 in the UNC System for total percentage of Hispanic/Latino student enrollment
UNCG students have the opportunity to join:
- 250+ student groups
- 7 living-learning communities
- 4 residential colleges
- The Lloyd International Honors College
- 150+ undergraduate areas of study and 200+ master’s and doctoral programs.
- 150+ laboratory spaces; 150 general purpose classrooms
- 331 students studied abroad in 2023-24 traveling to 28 countries on six continents
- 700+ undergraduates conduct faculty-sponsored research annually
- 800+ Transfer-to-Transfer Mentoring Program participants
Impact
- $1 BILLION economic impact in the Piedmont Triad
- Over $65 million in external funding annually
- 103,530 alumni live, work, and make a difference in North Carolina
- UNCG graduates over 400 educators and over 300 nurses each year.
- Carnegie Foundation classification for higher research activity and community engagement.
- UNCG’s Weatherspoon Art Museum, one of the leading collections of 20th and 21st-century American art in the Southeast, serves nearly 36,000 visitors each year.
