The purpose of a state report card is to provide the general public and policymakers with information to assess and improve post secondary education in each state. "Measuring Up 2008" is the fifth in a series of biennial report cards that evaluates states in six overall performance categories: (1) Preparation for post-secondary education and training; (2) Participation; (3) Affordability; (4) Completion; (5) Benefits; and (6) Learning. Respective findings for North Carolina relative to best-performing states include: (1) North Carolina has consistently improved its performance in preparing its young people for college; (2) Despite improvements, college opportunities for North Carolina residents remain poor; (3) Higher education has become less affordable for students and their families; (4) North Carolina performs fairly well in awarding certificates and degrees; (5) A fairly small proportion of residents have a bachelor's degree, weakening the state economy; and (6) Like all states, North Carolina receives an "Incomplete" in Learning because there is not sufficient data to allow meaningful state-by-state comparisons. Based on previous state performance, the percentage of young adults in North Carolina who earn a high school diploma has increased since the early 1990s; college enrollment of young adults in North Carolina has improved since the early 1990s; college enrollment of working-age adults, relative to the number of residents without a bachelor's degree, has declined; the share of family income, even after financial aid, needed to pay for college has risen substantially; the number of undergraduate credentials and degrees awarded in North Carolina, relative to the number of students enrolled, has increased since the early 1990s; and the percentage of residents who have a bachelor's degree has increased. In addition to information included in the summary report, the full report includes international comparisons, state-by-state 2008 grades and key indicators, frequently-asked questions answers, and available resources. (Contains 11 figures and 9 tables.) [For National Report, see ED503494. For North Carolina state summary, see ED503528.]