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Charlie & Debbie

This Vibrant North Carolina Spot Is One Of The 25 Best College Towns In The U.S.

Author Debbie Nance

Choosing a college is, of course, about academics.  But, it’s so much more, including surroundings.  And, this North Carolina spot was named one of the 25 best college towns in the U.S.

Which North Carolina Spot Made Best College Towns In The U.S.

So, the Tar Heel State is home to quite a few college communities.  However, one that probably pops into your head immediately is Chapel Hill.  And, apparently, Travel+Leisure agrees.

As the publication points out, college towns are influenced by schools and a younger population that welcomes new business and sometimes live music and arts among other things.  Plus, as a bonus there might even be some amazing college football.

What Makes It One Of The Best College Towns

And, in the opinion of Travel+Leisure, Chapel Hill has all that, putting it in their 25 best college towns list.  Their findings indicate Chapel Hill makes the grade when it comes to a mix of education and professional opportunities.

Also, scenic surroundings and an active social scene elevates the area.  We are close friends with several former and current students at UNC Chapel Hill.  Trust me, their social scene is vibrant.

Furthermore, as part of the well-known Research Triangle Region, including Duke in Durham and NC State in Raleigh chances to open career doors tend to be plentiful.

So, Chapel Hill’s credentials qualifying it as one of the best college towns speak for themselves.  And, as the nation’s first public university, UNC Chapel Hill opened its doors to students in 1795.

Traditions In One Of The Best College Towns

Plus, as a university with such a storied history, UNC Chapel Hill ‘Tar Heels’ have deeply rooted traditions.  And, one of these is the school’s mascot itself.

As the story goes, a UNC cheerleader began the tradition of Ram mascots.  The football team had a challenging year in 1924.  And, Vic Huggins deemed there should be an animal mascot similar to NC State’s wolf or Georgia’s bulldog.

The university star fullback Jack Merritt was known as ‘battering ram.’  So, with $25 from the university, Huggins purchased a live ram from Texas.  And, ‘Rameses’ has been a staple ever since.

So, regardless of why students flock to one of the best college towns in the U.S., it’s certainly a top choice for many.  And, Chapel Hill is in good company with other iconic cities like Tuscaloosa, Lynchburg and Athens.  See the full list for more info!

US News Best Colleges Rankings, Here's How North Carolina Universities Scored

Looking at colleges can be overwhelming. I was lucky enough to know exactly where I wanted to go to school from a young age and was able to make that dream a reality. But many students don’t know where they want to go or perhaps don’t have the grades to get into their dream school. There are so many colleges across not only North Carolina, but the region, and nationally. Especially if you don’t have a specific major in mind how do you even begin to narrow down your choices? One trusted source many high school students use is the US News and World Report Best Colleges rankings. The 2024 Best Colleges Rankings were just released, including 16 North Carolina universities in the national rankings.

This is undeniably just one of numerous things that should be considered when making the decision on where to study. Some students prefer a smaller institution, while others want a large college experience. Location plays a big part in the decision as well and of course affordability or availability of scholarships. The best colleges in North Carolina included on the US News list span the entire state of NC. Some are in small towns, others in the state’s largest cities. Some are state schools which means cheaper tuition for in-state students. There are several private schools (complete with a higher price tag) included on the list as well.

The four highest-ranked schools all made the top 100 nationally. Two are private and two are public. All four are members of the ACC. Which ones ranked where? You’ll have to keep reading to find out. Below you’ll find information including enrollment and tuition for each NC school included on the US News rankings. Interested in another school or the full list? You can read that here.

Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.

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