Life in Chapel Hill and the Research Triangle
Chapel Hill has a friendly, small-town feel with an eclectic vibe. It is routinely ranked as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the U.S. It is home to award-winning restaurants, outstanding public schools and healthcare systems, a thriving economy and a vibrant music and performing arts scene.
Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh form the Triangle region of North Carolina — a dynamic hub of innovation, technology, healthcare and entrepreneurship. In addition to UNC, the Triangle is home to other top-tier universities, a robust business community and Research Triangle Park (RTP), the largest research park in the U.S.
Each city that makes up the Triangle has a distinct personality, but we share and celebrate our collective quality of life. Diverse lifestyles and perspectives fuel the Triangle’s dynamic and innovative spirit.
Read more about Chapel Hill and the importance of selecting the right location for your MBA.
Chapel Hill
Top-ranked as one of the best college towns and best places to live in the U.S
13.2
Miles of bicycle lanes
95+
Restaurants & bars
350
Acres of parks
12
Theaters & live music venues
59,246
Town residents
Facts about the place we call “home”
- NC ranked #2 on CNBC’s Top States for Business
- Raleigh-Durham ranked #3 on Forbes 2020 Best Places for Business and Careers
- Raleigh-Durham ranked #3 on US News 2023 Best Places to Live
- Combined population of 2.2 million people reflects 17% growth over the past 10 years
- Some 54,000 businesses employ more than 1.2 million people in the Triangle region
- Fastest growing industries: Life sciences, technology, cleantech
- 16 incubator and accelerator workspaces, which are home to hundreds of startups and spin-offs
- One of the highest educated communities in the U.S.
- 1 in 5 residents hold a graduate degree or higher
- 1 in 2 residents hold a bachelor’s degree
- Home to the Research Triangle Park
- Established in 1959 to increase innovation in the area by supporting research collaboration between the area’s leading universities: Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- It’s now the largest research park in the United States and credited with supporting the evolution of North Carolina’s economy from its earlier dependence on traditional industries of agriculture, textiles and furniture.
- The area now includes 60,000 employees and 375 national and multi-national companies including IBM, GlaxoSmithKline and Cisco.
Watch: Why Everyone is Flocking To North Carolina's Tech Hub
CNBC showcases how the Triangle has become one of the country’s fastest growing tech hubs, attracting organizations including Meta, Apple, and Amazon. Take a look at why this area has grown in popularity, how it compares to larger cities, and the business-focused opportunities for graduates.
Traveling to and from the Triangle
- RDU International Airport
- 18 Miles from campus
- 62 nonstop destinations and 400+ daily flights
- Driving distance from major Southeast cities:
- Charlotte, North Carolina: 2.5 hours
- Washington, D.C.: 5 hours
- Atlanta, Georgia: 6 hours
- Nashville, Tennessee: 8 hours
- Destinations:
- 2 hours east to North Carolina’s beaches
- 3 hours west to North Carolina’s mountains
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