Overseeing the state's 16 public universities and the NC School of Science and Mathematics, it is commonly referred to as the UNC System to differentiate it from its first campus, UNC-Chapel Hill.

In 1877, the state of North Carolina began sponsoring additional higher education institutions.

During the Great Depression, the North Carolina General Assembly searched for cost savings within state government.

[9] Article IX of the 1971 North Carolina Constitution deals with all forms of public education in the state.

The General Assembly may enact laws necessary and expedient for the maintenance and management of The University of North Carolina and the other public institutions of higher education.The General Assembly shall provide that the benefits of The University of North Carolina and other public institutions of higher education, as far as practicable, be extended to the people of the State free of expense.Statutory provisions stipulate the current function and cost to students of the University of North Carolina.

[12] The enrollment numbers are the official headcounts (including all full-time and part-time, undergrad and postgrad students) from University of North Carolina website.

[51] This does not include the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, the figure for NCSSM is taken from its own website.