Best Colleges in North Carolina + Full List of Schools
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Editor & Writer
Writer
Editor & Writer
You can find some of the nation's best colleges in North Carolina. The state is home to the country's first public school — the University of North Carolina (UNC) — and some of the top private research institutions in the U.S., like Duke University.
North Carolina boasts one of the largest state university systems and a huge selection of business, science, healthcare, and teaching degrees.
On this page, we highlight some of the top universities in North Carolina. We look at what makes them unique, what programs they offer, and what you can expect if you enroll.
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10 Best Colleges in North Carolina
North Carolina has around 80 four-year colleges and universities within its borders. We shine a spotlight on the 10 best colleges in North Carolina.
Methodology
Many factors go into our ranking, including school reputation, student enrollment, academic achievement, and institutional and programmatic accreditation. We leverage data from reputable public sources, including the National Center for Education Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Navigator.
These rankings were compiled by our
BestColleges Ranking Team
and include
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Classes began at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1795, making it the nation's first public university. The school now offers more than 250 degrees to over 30,000 students.
UNC-Chapel Hill has reputable programs in biology, business, and media and journalism. The school performs more than 60% of the entire UNC system's research. UNC-Chapel Hill also ranks 10th in the country for federal research, with funding at $706 million.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Wake Forest University was founded in 1848 and enrolls nearly 9,000 students in over 100 programs. In 1962, Wake Forest became the first major private school in the South to end segregation.
Despite its expansive reputation and significant research contributions, the school maintains an intimate classroom environment and an 11-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. Wake Forest also boasts a leading Division I athletics program with nine national championships.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Duke University
Durham, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Established in 1924, Duke University offers more than 280 programs to over 17,000 students. Known for its programs in computer science, economics, public policy, and biology, the school also hosts one of the nation's leading research ecosystems.
Duke established the Duke University Health System, which is responsible for three hospitals and numerous medical breakthroughs. The school is also home to one of the nation's leading private research library systems.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Founded in 1887, North Carolina State University (NC State) has grown into one of the country's top public research universities. The school provides more than 300 programs and over 600 student groups for its student body of over 36,000.
As a leading research school, NC State spends over $546 million in annual research, the 6th most among non-medical public colleges. NC State research has helped create over 190 startups and generate over $1.7 billion in financing.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Elon University
Elon, NC - 4 years
- Campus
Elon University specializes in experiential learning and engagement on a 690-acre campus designated as a botanical garden. The school runs more than 75 programs for over 8,000 students while maintaining an 11-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Elon's student participation numbers stand out from most schools. Over 87% of students complete internships, nearly 60% of students hold a leadership position on campus, 44% study abroad, and nearly 25% take part in research. The school encourages extracurricular involvement with over 200 student organizations and 17 NCAA Division I teams.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Founded as Watauga Academy in 1899, Appalachian State University became one of UNC's 17 campuses in 1971. The school now enrolls more than 21,000 students who participate in over 150 programs and over 7,800 internships.
Appalachian keeps classroom sizes to an average of 25 and a student-to-teacher ratio of 16-to-1. Along with the sprawling 1,200-acre campus in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian students have over 400 organizations they can join.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) began as Wilmington College in 1947. Now part of the UNC system, UNCW enrolls over 18,000 students online and at its 650-acre coastal campus.
In addition to programs in business and computer science, UNCW hosts the nation's first coastal engineering program. The school's Center for Marine Science positions it as a leader in marine science research. UNCW also makes significant contributions to the arts, technology, and healthcare.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
UNC Charlotte's home to more than 190 programs and over 30,000 students. The nearly 1,000-acre campus hosts more than 350 student organizations, along with a 148,000-square-foot recreation center.
UNC Charlotte drives innovation from many of its programs, including architecture, engineering, and data science. The school's research efforts have led to 524 awards and the development of 18 new businesses between 2018 and 2023.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
North Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
The largest historically Black college and university (HBCU) in the country, North Carolina A&T State University (N.C. A&T) enrolls more than 13,000 students. A leader in STEM education and research, the school runs over 100 programs across nine departments.
N.C. A&T's reputation for academic excellence and innovation has led to substantial funding initiatives for a STEAM teacher training program and agriculture program.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC - 4 years
- Online + Campus
While East Carolina University (ECU) started in 1909 as a teacher's college, the school now offers more than 170 degree programs. Learners can also join one of over 375 clubs and organizations.
Nearly 50% of ECU's student body of 28,000 enroll in the school's STEM or healthcare programs. The reputable health sciences department houses programs in medicine, dentistry, and nursing. In fact, ECU is the state's only university with dentistry, medical, and engineering schools.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
List of All Colleges in North Carolina
We've created a complete list of all four-year nonprofit universities in North Carolina. You can use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.
The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Note that schools that do not admit full-time first-time degree-seeking students or that had a total undergrad enrollment of fewer than 500 were not considered for this list.
School | Total Student Enrollment | Avg. Annual Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
---|---|---|---|---|
Appalachian State University | 20,436 | $13,084 | 83% | 22,255 |
Barton College | 1,265 | $23,443 | 95% | 2,129 |
Belmont Abbey College | 1,501 | $23,522 | 97% | 2,757 |
Brevard College | 759 | $24,220 | 40% | 2,206 |
Campbell University | 5,272 | $24,280 | 89% | 3,860 |
Catawba College | 1,172 | $19,701 | 67% | 3,199 |
Chowan University | 886 | $17,334 | 86% | 2,259 |
Davidson College | 1,927 | $26,704 | 17% | 6,479 |
Duke University | 18,023 | $23,694 | 6% | 50,016 |
East Carolina University | 27,151 | $14,410 | 92% | 21,383 |
Elizabeth City State University | 2,149 | $4,120 | 74% | 3,927 |
Elon University | 7,123 | $41,527 | 74% | 17,551 |
Fayetteville State University | 6,787 | $6,355 | 81% | 4,116 |
Gardner-Webb University | 3,144 | $22,339 | 75% | 5,728 |
Greensboro College | 826 | $19,581 | 84%% | 1,349 |
Guilford College | 1,167 | $23,882 | 84% | 3,397 |
High Point University | 5,981 | $40,221 | 79% | 12,446 |
Johnson C. Smith University | 1,093 | $20,045 | 25% | 2,306 |
Lees-McRae College | 855 | $24,108 | 61% | 1,733 |
Lenoir-Rhyne University | 2,354 | $21,843 | 83% | 5,452 |
Livingstone College | 839 | $15,914 | 64% | 4,074 |
Mars Hill University | 1,032 | $17,721 | 74% | 1,597 |
Meredith College | 1,587 | $23,259 | 73% | 1,775 |
Methodist University | 1,811 | $28,129 | 76% | 2,397 |
Montreat College | 972 | $25,485 | 68% | 1,440 |
North Carolina A&T State University | 13,487 | $9,189 | 56% | 25,762 |
North Carolina Central University | 7,553 | $13,708 | 84% | 8,423 |
North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 36,700 | $14,852 | 47% | 35,568 |
North Carolina Wesleyan University | 1,337 | $18,701 | 68% | 2,379 |
Pfeiffer University | 1,076 | $21,575 | 69% | 1,299 |
Queens University of Charlotte | 1,873 | $29,459 | 71% | 3,154 |
Saint Augustine's University | 1,108 | $20,081 | 59% | 4,918 |
Shaw University | 1,067 | $14,204 | 61% | 2,435 |
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary | 2,764 | $16,324 | 80% | 60 |
St. Andrews University | 809 | $31,864 | 65% | 1,767 |
University of Mount Olive | 2,239 | $17,878 | 75% | 1,838 |
University of North Carolina at Asheville | 2,914 | $14,730 | 74% | 4,278 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | 31,705 | $10,614 | 17% | 50,729 |
University of North Carolina at Charlotte | 29,551 | $13,951 | 80% | 21,355 |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 17,978 | $10,979 | 92% | 11,515 |
University of North Carolina at Pembroke | 7,666 | $8,208 | 90% | 3,420 |
University of North Carolina School of the Arts | 1,104 | $11,251 | 32% | 1,139 |
University of North Carolina Wilmington | 17,843 | $18,709 | 69% | 16,860 |
Wake Forest University | 8,963 | $26,197 | 21% | 16,857 |
Warren Wilson College | 793 | $28,086 | 84% | 905 |
Western Carolina University | 11,635 | $13,022 | 85% | 17,917 |
William Peace University | 713 | $23,041 | 63% | 1,434 |
Wingate University | 3,396 | $18,823 | 86% | 20,292 |
Winston-Salem State University | 5,004 | $14,097 | 73% | 7,628 |
What Is the Cost of College in North Carolina?
College costs in North Carolina depend on the location, type of school, and delivery format you choose. On average, public four-year universities in North Carolina charged $7,620 in tuition and fees to in-state students and $23,136 to out-of-state students in 2021, according to NCES.
You can save money on a four-year degree in different ways. For example, you might attend a community college in North Carolina before transferring to a four-year university.
Or you can reduce some college costs, like room and board and transportation, by attending an online college in North Carolina. If you're an out-of-state student, you could even access in-state rates at some online schools.
Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
---|---|
Public 4-Year (In-State) | $7,260 |
Public 4-Year (Out-of-State) | $23,136 |
Private 4-Year | $36,772 |
Public 2-Year (In-State) | $2,474 |
Public 2-Year (Out-of-State) | $8,511 |
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Scholarships for North Carolina Students
Scholarships and grants can help relieve some of your financial burden while you study. The list below includes some of the top scholarship programs in North Carolina.
NC Scholarship
Managed by the College Foundation of North Carolina, this program awards a minimum of $5,000 to qualifying students in the University of North Carolina system and $2,800 to qualifying students in the North Carolina Community College System.
Cheatham-White Merit Scholarship
Available at North Carolina A&T State University and North Carolina Central University, this scholarship covers all educational costs for four years. Eligible students need a 4.0 GPA, extracurriculars, and demonstrated leadership experience.
Janet B. Royster Memorial Scholarship
Created by the UNC System Staff Assembly, this scholarship awards up to $500 to full-time non-faculty employees of UNC to put toward their education.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in North Carolina
How many colleges are in North Carolina?
According to NCES, North Carolina has 174 colleges and universities. This number comprises 17 public four-year schools, 60 public two-year schools, and 65 private four-year schools — both nonprofit and for-profit alike.
The largest college system in the Tarheel State is the University of North Carolina system, which consists of 16 schools, including Appalachian State University, North Carolina State University, and UNC-Chapel Hill.
What college is in Boone, North Carolina?
The only four-year university in Boone, North Carolina, is Appalachian State University. Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Wilkes Community College, and Lees-McRae College are all nearby as well.
Is North Carolina Central University an HBCU?
Yes, North Carolina Central University is a historically Black college and university (HBCU). North Carolina has 11 HBCUs. NCCU is one of the largest, with more than 7,000 students. North Carolina Central University's campus is located in Durham, North Carolina, just 3 miles from Duke University.