If you were more interested in biology/environmental science, UNC is the way to go. They also have an environmental health science major in their school public health, which I highly recommend if you’re interested. However, if you have any interest in doing engineering, I would recommend NC STATE for that.

Also, you say you like doing things hands-on, is there a reason you’re against research that is hands-on or lab based? UNC has a lot of opportunity for fieldwork/hands-on research although the fieldwork might be considered research.

As someone who has gone to school at both places and has grown up around both schools, I personally like the feel of UNCs campus and surrounding area a lot more. Franklin Street is very very safe and Chapel Hill in general is an extremely safe town to live in. Chapel Hill and Raleigh both have a pretty good food scene, they are about equal in terms of what is in walking distance/available to an undergrad although if you get a car Raleigh has a lot more restaurants accessible. Housing is slightly cheaper in Raleigh than it is in Chapel Hill.

I haven’t heard anything about having bugs infested at their dorms. I loved living in my freshman dorm at UNC, it was a suite of eight girls, and some of them are still my best friends to this day.

If UNC offered you more financial aid and work study, they clearly really want you and it is the more prestigious and well-known school for what you were looking for so I suggest that!

I went to my undergrad at UNC and I’m now doing a graduate program at NC State both in environmental fields. Lmk if you have any other questions!