RALEIGH — The University of North Carolina System surpassed 260,000 students across the state this year, a new record.
Overall, enrollment was up 1.4% from fall of 2025, a slower rate of growth but still reaching a historic high of 260,199 students, according to preliminary figures.
Falling birth rates in the United States have begun to impact higher education nationally, with larger enrollment declines expected by the end of the decade. Still, demand for UNC System institutions remains strong. Systemwide, the number of undergraduates climbed 2.3% and the number of transfer students jumped 3.6%.
“The North Carolina approach to higher education is working,” said UNC System President Peter Hans. “We’ve simplified enrollment and financial aid while highlighting the excellent value of a degree in our state. Our priorities remain accessibility, affordability, and quality. There are some real challenges ahead with the size of the traditional student population, but we’re in a strong position to keep attracting talent and delivering on our mission.”
This year, 11 universities experienced increases, while five saw decreases. Enrollment at the state’s public historically Black universities continued to rise, up 9.1% at North Carolina Central University and 4.8% at Winston-Salem State University.
Most declines were minor, around 1% or smaller. University of North Carolina Asheville experienced an overall decrease of 228 students, but the university has more first-year and transfer students this year. Appalachian State University has 490 fewer students this year, but has the largest online, graduate, transfer and first-generation student populations in history.
UNCA, App State and the western part of the state were hit hard by Hurricane Helene two years ago.
“The last few years have been tough on Asheville,” Hans said in a July report to the UNC Board of Governors. “Enrollment there and everywhere in the liberal arts has declined. Hurricane Helene interrupted a UNCA comeback, and we are still working through the aftermath.” Leaders at UNCA are exploring new programs in high-demand areas such as business, data science, and biochemistry. “UNCA is now building for the future,” Hans said.
The UNC System’s overall growth comes at a time when polling data shows Americans are concerned about the cost and value of higher education. Students in the UNC System benefit from among the lowest tuition at U.S. universities, thanks to the state’s longstanding support of public higher education. The percentage of UNC System graduates with debt has fallen steadily for the past six years, from 61% in 2019 to 48% in 2025.
Also, new policies have made it easier to navigate financial aid and pursue a college degree in North Carolina. NC College Connect offers direct admission to eligible high school seniors with a 2.8 grade point average. Earlier this week, more than 67,500 graduating high school students received offers of admission at select four-year colleges and universities, including 11 participating UNC System institutions.