The UNC System, or the University of North Carolina System, is a public university system in North Carolina, consisting of 17 campuses. It was established in 1971 to provide accessible higher education to residents of the state. The system includes well-known institutions like UNC Chapel Hill, NC State University, and UNC Charlotte. The UNC System serves over 250,000 students and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. Each campus operates independently but collaborates on various initiatives to enhance educational opportunities and research across the state. The system aims to promote academic excellence and economic development in North Carolina.