UNC Greensboro offers exceptional opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to thrive. Ranked for excellence in affordability, academic rigor, and social mobility, UNCG is committed to closing achievement gaps and supporting first-generation and Pell-eligible students. With robust academic programs, a focus on research and community service, and a global perspective, UNCG fosters an environment where students make an impact—both locally and globally—ensuring success for all students and creating pathways for leadership in the workforce.
Explore the accolades below to learn more about the university’s continued excellence and the opportunities it provides.
Excellence
UNC Greensboro is continually recognized in national ranking lists for excellence, access, and affordability. Ranked one of America’s Best Colleges by the Wall Street Journal, 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:
UNCG is honored to be rated No. 12 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.
This year marks the 35th 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.
UNCG is ranked No. 1 among universities in North Carolina for social mobility and ranks 13th nationally. UNCG is also on the outlet’s Best in the U.S. lists for National Universities, Best Colleges for Veterans, Best Value, Top Public Schools, and is ranked for the nursing, psychology, business, and computer science programs.
UNC Greensboro has been named one of the top schools for free speech in the United States by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) in its 2026 rankings. UNCG is ranked No. 1 in North Carolina and No. 6 nationally.
For the 27th consecutive year, UNCG is recognized as one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduates in the Princeton Review’s “Best 391 Colleges” guide. Princeton Review also named UNC Greensboro as one of the best regional colleges in the south.
Both of these prestigious titles are bestowed through feedback from 170,000 students about their professors, financial aid, campus amenities, school services, and more. This year, the survey found that UNCG is known for its “helpful advisors, great professors, flexible programs and schedules, great community involvement, and a degree that will be worth something.”Read more about how students praised UNCG.
UNCG is honored 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, including hybrid programs with online and offline courses or exams.
More than 9,000 online learners were surveyed in the United States and asked to rate the institutions based on six sub-dimensions: Organization and Accessibility, Support and Services, Cost of the Program, Reputation, Success, and Practical Relevance.
UNCG is honored to be recognized by The Wall Street Journal on their Best U.S. Colleges list. This rank of the top 500 universities in the nation is based on student outcomes, leadership environment, and diversity.
The Wall Street Journal also ranked UNCG No. 3 in NC for student experience, highlighting our commitment to providing an exceptional college journey where students thrive both academically and personally.
UNCG is proud to be ranked No. 3 in NC on the Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges list. This is the largest and most comprehensive ranking of schools for military service members and veterans.
The ranking evaluates institutions based on their contributions to military students. Key factors include military-specific resources, student success metrics, and financial assistance.
UNCG ranks No. 1 in NC 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 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 6th in NC by NAFSA: Association of International Educators for the number of international students it serves. UNCG’s support of international students contributes $18.5 million and supports 175 jobs in the Piedmont Triad.
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 has become NC’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. Read more…
Opportunity
UNC Greensboro is committed to serving traditionally underserved populations:
52% of all undergraduates self-identify as first-generation students
56% of students are people of color
57% of first degree seeking undergraduate students are Pell-eligible
150+ undergraduate areas of study and 200+ master’s and doctoral programs.
150+ laboratory spaces; 150 general purpose classrooms
494 students studied abroad in 2024-25 traveling to 37 countries on six continents
700+ undergraduates conduct faculty-sponsored research annually
750+ Transfer-to-Transfer Mentoring Program participants
Impact
More than $1 billion in economic impact in the Piedmont Triad
More than $60 million in external funding annually
106,690 alumni live, work, and make a difference in North Carolina
UNCG graduates more than 400 educators and more than 300 nurses each year.
Carnegie Foundation classification for higher research activity and community engagement
UNCG’s Weatherspoon Art Museum uses its renowned collection of 20th- and 21st-century American art to advance teaching, research, and community connection; each year, it serves more than 36,000 people.
