Best Colleges in North Carolina + Full List of Schools

You have many options when it comes to colleges in North Carolina. Discover what sets the best colleges in the state apart from the rest.

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Updated December 18, 2024

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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.

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

How We Rank Schools

To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.

To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:

Affordability (30%)
Student outcomes (30%)
Reputation (20%)
Diversity and social mobility (20%)

In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$7,019

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$34,198

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

25%

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

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.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,552

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,278

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

30,092

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,019

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,198

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,019

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,198

Acceptance Rate

25%

Online Enrollment

91%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,552

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$28,278

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

30,092

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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.

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$56,722

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,722

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

32%

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

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.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,650

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,650

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

8,789

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,722

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,722

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$56,722

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$56,722

Acceptance Rate

32%

Online Enrollment

86%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$38,650

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,650

Retention Rate

95%

Students Enrolled

8,789

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

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.

Duke University

Durham, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$55,880

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$55,880

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

Acceptance Rate

42%

Online Enrollment

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.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$57,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$57,900

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

16,172

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$55,880

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$55,880

Duke University

Durham, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$55,880

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$55,880

Acceptance Rate

Online Enrollment

42%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$57,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$57,900

Retention Rate

97%

Students Enrolled

16,172

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$6,535

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$26,654

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

46%

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

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.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,095

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,421

Retention Rate

94%

Students Enrolled

36,042

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,535

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,654

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$6,535

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,654

Acceptance Rate

46%

Online Enrollment

91%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,095

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,421

Retention Rate

94%

Students Enrolled

36,042

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Elon University

Elon, NC4 yearCampus

$37,414

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$37,414

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

72%

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

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.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,432

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,432

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

7,117

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$37,414

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,414

Elon University

Elon, NC4 yearCampus

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$37,414

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$37,414

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,432

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,432

Retention Rate

90%

Students Enrolled

7,117

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,242

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,049

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

80%

Acceptance Rate

95%

Online Enrollment

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.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,839

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,271

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

20,023

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,242

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,049

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,242

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,049

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

95%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,839

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,271

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

20,023

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$18,508

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

68%

Acceptance Rate

95%

Online Enrollment

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.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,719

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,548

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

17,915

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,508

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,508

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment

95%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,719

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,548

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

17,915

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$17,246

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

80%

Acceptance Rate

93%

Online Enrollment

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.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,337

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,771

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

30,146

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,246

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,246

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

93%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,337

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,771

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

30,146

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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.

North Carolina A&T State University

Greensboro, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$3,540

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$17,050

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

57%

Acceptance Rate

95%

Online Enrollment

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.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,745

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,545

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

12,753

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,540

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,050

North Carolina A&T State University

Greensboro, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,540

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,050

Acceptance Rate

57%

Online Enrollment

95%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,745

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,545

Retention Rate

80%

Students Enrolled

12,753

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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.

#10

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$20,729

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

88%

Acceptance Rate

93%

Online Enrollment

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.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

28,798

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Acceptance Rate

88%

Online Enrollment

93%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

28,798

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

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.

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.

All Colleges in North Carolina
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

Source: NCES

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.

Cost of College in North Carolina in 2021
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

Source: NCES

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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.