UNCP a Top 15 Public Regional University and Among Best for Military-Affiliated Students
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is one of the top 15 public regional universities in the South, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges Rankings released today.
UNCP also advanced eight spots to number 33 among all regional universities in the South and was recognized as one of the nation’s best in categories measuring value, academic quality and support for student veterans.
Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings, MD, said the recognition underscores the heart of UNCP’s mission.
“These latest accolades are a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff, who make student success their top priority every single day,” Cummings said. “Their commitment ensures that our students have the guidance, resources and support to graduate on time and prepared for what comes next.”
Provost Diane Prusank, PhD, said the rankings underscore the strength of UNCP’s academic mission.
“Our faculty are top-level scholars who are deeply committed to teaching and mentoring, and that commitment is at the heart of these recognitions,” Prusank said. “We deliver rigorous academics through a progressive curriculum in state-of-the-art facilities, pairing quality instruction with personal attention. That combination ensures our students are able to thrive, graduate and move forward prepared to lead in their careers and communities.”
Top Public Schools
UNCP’s number 15 ranking among Top Public Regional Universities in the South marks the university’s highest placement to date in this category. U.S. News defines regional universities as institutions that provide a broad range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs but few doctoral programs, dividing them into North, South, Midwest and West.
Recognized for Value
UNCP ranked number 29 in Best Value Schools, a designation that considers both academic quality and affordability. U.S. News identifies best value schools by weighing factors such as a university’s academic reputation, overall cost and the percentage of need-based scholarships and grants available to students. The higher the quality and the lower the actual cost, the greater the value to a student.
“Being named a Distinguished Scholar and benefiting from the NC Promise program means I won’t have to take on any student debt,” said freshman Madison Coleman. “That is such a blessing. UNCP has truly given me everything I needed and more.”
A Destination for Military-Affiliated Students
The university also earned recognition as the number 16 Best College for Veterans, highlighting its tailored support for military-affiliated students and families. That recognition builds on UNCP’s standing in the 2025–2026 Military Friendly® rankings, where the university was named the No. 2 Military Friendly School in the nation in the small public-school category and ranked No. 4 in the Military Spouse Friendly Top Ten list.
U.S. Army veteran and current student Trey Watson said the university made his transition from service to student life seamless.
“UNCP is truly one of the best places for military-affiliated and veteran students,” Watson said. “Using military education benefits can feel like solving a giant puzzle, but the people here walked me through every step and made it simple. They made sure I had what I needed to succeed in the classroom. UNCP has been a perfect fit for me — it’s supportive, welcoming and exactly what I was looking for.”
Academics and Innovation
Earlier this year, UNCP’s undergraduate business program was ranked among the country’s best online degree-completion programs, earning the number 79 spot on the 2025 Best Online Programs list by U.S. News & World Report. The recognition speaks to the strength of UNCP’s academic programs, its innovative approaches to learning and the university’s dedication to expanding access for working adults and nontraditional students.
Advancing Social Mobility
UNCP was again recognized among the Top Performers in Social Mobility, which measures how well institutions enroll and graduate students who receive Pell Grants. With its long tradition of serving first-generation and underrepresented students, UNCP continues to expand opportunity and drive economic mobility across southeastern North Carolina and beyond.
Chancellor Cummings said the rankings capture both where the university has been and where it is headed.
“Our growing reputation is built on the power of a UNC Pembroke education that is personal, affordable and transformative,” he said. “For more than 138 years, we have been opening doors of opportunity, and today’s recognition affirms the strength of our mission and the bright future ahead for our students and the communities we serve.”