Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
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2024There are many reasons to attend an online college in North Carolina. North Carolina has some of the top public and private research institutions.
Many of these colleges offer online programs — an education just as valuable as an in-person learning experience.
You may be looking for flexibility in your schedule or to take advantage of the cost savings of an online program. Regardless of the reason, discover the best online colleges in North Carolina, average tuition, and the fastest-growing careers in the state.
Featured Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
- In-State$7,950
- Out-of-state$20,246
- In-State$4,839
- Out-of-state$19,849
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled20,554
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment60%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,812
- Out-of-state$17,936
- In-State$4,337
- Out-of-state$18,482
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled29,668
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Wilmington, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,443
- Out-of-state$19,063
- In-State$4,719
- Out-of-state$19,104
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled17,915
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
East Carolina University
- Greenville, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,452
- Out-of-state$20,729
- In-State$4,749
- Out-of-state$17,898
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled27,162
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Greensboro, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,422
- Out-of-state$19,581
- In-State$5,219
- Out-of-state$18,937
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled17,880
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Western Carolina University
- Cullowhee, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$1,000
- Out-of-state$5,000
- In-State$4,435
- Out-of-state$14,842
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled11,561
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$35,580
- Out-of-state$35,580
- In-State$14,041
- Out-of-state$14,041
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled5,259
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment27%
- AccreditationYes
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.
Cost of College in North Carolina
The average cost of tuition in North Carolina is less than the national average.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the national average tuition cost for in-state students at public universities was $9,596 and $27,457 for out-of-state students in 2021-2022. The average tuition cost in North Carolina was a few thousand dollars cheaper, whether you’re in-state or out-of-state.
Tuition and fees may also be different if you attend online. Many universities offer a flat rate for online programs, regardless of your residency status.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $7,337 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $23,452 |
| Private Four-Year | $38,346 |
| Public Two-Year (In-State) | $2,524 |
| Public Two-Year (Out-of-State) | $8,537 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in North Carolina
Many STEM careers in North Carolina are projected to grow over the next ten years, according to the NC Department of Commerce Labor & Economic Analysis.
The top-growing job that requires a bachelor’s degree is a data scientist, with a growth rate of 41%. Information security analysts, web developers, and software developers are also in top positions. Careers in industries like finance and healthcare are also projected to grow faster than average.
A bachelor’s degree is the first step to qualify for these jobs, and online colleges are making education more accessible than ever.
| Job | Projected Growth Rate | Median Annual Wage (2022) | Minimum Educational Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data Scientists | 41% | $121,970 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Logisticians | 37% | $68,410 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Information Security Analysts | 36% | $117,860 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Web Developers | 36% | $71,740 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 31% | $102,910 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Software Developers | 31% | $126,520 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Operations Research Analysts | 27% | $96,450 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | 26% | $97,700 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Financial Examiners | 25% | $83,610 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Market Research Analysts | 24% | $65,710 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | 24% | $49,050 | Bachelor’s degree |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in North Carolina
One of the most affordable online colleges in North Carolina is the University of North Carolina at Pembroke with an in-state tuition of just $3,571 for the 2023-2024 school year.
Other affordable online colleges in North Carolina include Fayetteville State University and Western Carolina University.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 16, 2024.
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