The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill opened in 1795 and was America's first public university. The school is now one of the largest in the country with a 2010 enrollment of 28,916 and an estimated endowment of nearly $2 billion.
UNC's liberal arts undergraduate program is ranked as the fifth-best public college in the United States, according to U.S. New and World Report. The school also offers master's, doctoral and professional degrees in fields such as law, business, medicine and education.
UNC has a successful athletics program, which has recently won championships in basketball, soccer and field hockey. The university has also helped develop many professional athletes, including Michael Jordan, Vince Carter and Mia Hamm.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
220 E. Cameron Ave.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
919-962-2211
unc.edu
N.C. State is North Carolina's largest public university. The school has more than 31,000 students enrolled as of 2010, supported by 2,000 faculty members and almost 6,000 support staff members.
The majority of N.C. State's students are undergraduates. The university offers bachelor's degrees in 113 areas of study, including agriculture, engineering, liberal arts and design. Graduate programs include master's and doctoral studies, and there is also a veterinary school.
The N.C. State Wolfpack competes in 24 varsity sports, and its main rivals are the UNC Tar Heels.
North Carolina State University
Box 7001
Raleigh, NC 27695
919-515-2434
ncsu.edu
Duke is a private university in Durham, North Carolina. The school was founded in 1924 and is loosely affiliated with the Methodist Church, although Duke's educational programs are nondenominational. In 2010, Duke University was ranked No. 10 on U.S. News and World Report's list of the best U.S. colleges.
The university offers undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. More than half of Duke's students are enrolled in graduate and professional schools. Popular courses of study include medicine, law, nursing, engineering, divinity and business.
Duke University Medical Center is a world-famous teaching hospital and research center associated with the university.
Duke University is active in 26 varsity sports, competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). The school's teams have been particularly successful in golf, men's and women's basketball, lacrosse and baseball.
Duke University
2138 Campus Dr.
Box 90586
Durham, NC 27708
919-684-8111
duke.edu
Wake Forest is a private university in suburban Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Opened in 1834, Wake Forest University is one of the oldest colleges in the state.
Wake Forest offers bachelor's degrees in liberal arts; graduate programs; and professional degrees in law, management, medicine and divinity. Despite the school's relatively small enrollment, Wake Forest's undergraduate programs have received particular accolades. The school was named the 11th-best undergraduate teaching college by U.S. News and World Report.
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons compete in the ACC along with North Carolina's other large universities: North Carolina State, Duke and UNC. The men's soccer team won the national championship in 2007.
Wake Forest University
Box 7305
Reynolda Station
Winston-Salem, NC 27109
336-758-5201
wfu.edu