By admin 
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The University of North Carolina System had a record enrollment of more than 260,000 students this year, officials said Wednesday.
According to officials, enrollment at the UNC System was up 1.4% from 256,530 last fall, reaching a historic high of 260,199 in 2026.
Eleven universities saw increases, including at the public historically Black universities, where enrollment was up 9.1% at North Carolina Central University and 4.8% at Winston-Salem University, according to officials.
Officials said there were decreases at five universities, but most were around 1% or smaller. Appalachian State University, which has the largest online, graduate, transfer, and first-generation student populations, saw an enrollment decrease of 490, and University of North Carolina Asheville, where there are more first-year and transfer students, saw a enrollment decrease of 228.
As noted by officials, both schools were affected by Hurricane Helene, which devastated the western region of the state in 2024. UNC Asheville leaders are exploring programs in areas such as business, data science, and biochemistry.
Read more Get ready for the Carolina Culture Food Fest in Raleigh
“The last few years have been tough on Asheville,” UNC System President Peter 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.
“UNCA is now building for the future,” Hans said in his report.
Between fall 2025 and fall 2026, according to UNC System officials:
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill enrollment increased from 34,099 to 34,482, a 1.1% change
- North Carolina State University enrollment decreased from 39,259 to 39,219, a -0.1% change
- North Carolina Central University enrollment increased from 9,281 to 10,124, a 9.1% change
- Fayetteville State University enrollment increased from 7,607 to 7,741, a 1.8% change
- Appalachian State University enrollment decreased from 21,798 to 21,308, a -2.2% change
- East Carolina University enrollment increased from 27,153 to 27,206, a 0.2% change
- Elizabeth City State University enrollment increased from 2,358 to 2,445, a 3.7% change
- North Carolina A&T State University enrollment increased from 15,275 to 15,713, a 2.9% change
- University of North Carolina Asheville enrollment decreased from 2,874 to 2,646, a -7.9% change
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte enrollment increased from 32,207 to 33,045, a 2.6% change
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro enrollment increased from 18,682 to 19,078, a 2.1% change
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke enrollment decreased from 8,075 to 7,977, a -1.2% change
- University of North Carolina School of the Arts enrollment decreased from 1,150 to 1,141, a -0.8% change
- University of North Carolina Wilmington enrollment increased from 19,895 to 20,556, a 3.3% change
- Western Carolina University enrollment increased from 11,845 to 12,308, a 3.9% change
- Winston-Salem State University enrollment increased from 4,972 to 5,210, a 4.8% change
“The North Carolina approach to higher education is working,” Hans said in a statement. “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,” he continued in his statement. “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.”
Read more Fayetteville State University receives $10M from Department of War for AI military research