Best Colleges in North Carolina + Full List of Schools

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.