UNC-CH Chancellor: Here’s why UNC moved up in the US News rankings |Opinion
In an ideal world, college rankings wouldn’t matter very much. The United States is blessed with thousands of great universities that serve their students well, and it makes little sense to compare schools with different missions and very different histories as though we’re in a zero-sum competition. But people do pay attention to rankings, and they especially notice when those rankings shift.
Recently, U.S. News & World Report released its much-anticipated, if controversial, college rankings. There were some shifts — with new criteria and a substantial overhaul of how it measures success. They reward and place more of an emphasis on what should be the mission of all of higher education: to produce excellent scholarship that solves the world’s biggest problems and provides access to education not just for the elite, but to people from different backgrounds and lived experiences, regardless of their financial situations.
UNC-Chapel Hill has been among the top 5 public universities for more than 22 years, and this year we moved up one position from last year to No. 4. The University tied for 22nd overall among public and private institutions — up seven places from just a year ago. We believe these gains are fueled by a commitment made long ago: we make the dream of an excellent college education possible.
This principle is shared by N.C. leaders across the political spectrum. The state budget approved by the N.C. General Assembly last week demonstrates yet again that funding for higher education is a bipartisan priority. Despite political fights and differences, our legislature votes with its feet in support of higher education and has for generations. In everything from faculty recruitment and retention to cancer research to raises for world-class faculty and staff, this year’s budget shows how deeply our state values the work we do and wants to see it grow. There are things people agree with or don’t agree with in the budget, but the size and power of the investment speaks volumes.
It’s a fine balance, becoming a globally competitive university while staying true to our roots as a proudly and passionately public institution. But it’s the same balance that North Carolina, both Republicans and Democrats, is trying to strike, emerging as one of the fastest-growing states in the country and attracting talent from all over the world while trying to preserve the quality of life that made us attractive in the first place.
We maintain that balance through the excellence of our faculty and by being committed to the people of our state, regardless of their financial circumstances. About 82% of our students are from North Carolina. We remain need-blind in our admissions process. For seven years, we have not increased tuition for in-state students. Our Carolina Covenant provides an opportunity for students who qualify to attend and graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill debt-free. Few other top public schools can claim this kind of commitment to the people of their state.
These characteristics helped move us up in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. They assess how well schools graduate economically disadvantaged students, including Pell Grant recipients and first-generation students. They also consider a school’s typical average accumulated federal loan debt among borrowers, giving transparency about the financial burden on students. They measure areas that we’ve prioritized in Carolina Next, our strategic plan which places an emphasis on our commitment to the public good.
As we follow those priorities, we are continuing to build on our unparalleled affordability. Just this summer, we announced our commitment to cover tuition for N.C. students whose families make under $80,000 per year beginning in Fall 2024. We want students and their families to feel confident that they can afford a Carolina education.
Our mission would not be possible without the incredible work of our world-class faculty (which also factors considerably into the rankings), our dedicated staff and our inspiring students. It is their commitment, day in and day out, to our mission that makes a difference.
We went up this year in the rankings, and we may go down next year. But what remains constant is this university’s commitment to serving the people of our state, regardless of what outside arbiters determine. No ranking can capture the complexity of any one university, but it’s heartening to see more recognition for the broad opportunity and student success we’ve always valued.
Kevin Guskiewicz is a neuroscientist, the Kenan Distinguished Professor of exercise and sport science, and the chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
