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About Best Public Universities in North Carolina

What are the most popular Universities in North Carolina? uniRank tries to answer this question by publishing the 2021 North Carolina University Ranking of 53 recognized North Carolina higher-education institutions meeting the following uniRank selection criteria:

being chartered, licensed or accredited by the appropriate US higher education-related organization
offering at least four-year undergraduate degrees (bachelor degrees) or postgraduate degrees (master or doctoral degrees)
delivering courses predominantly in a traditional, face-to-face, non-distance education format
Our aim is to provide a non-academic League Table of the top North Carolina Universities based on valid, unbiased and non-influenceable web metrics provided by independent web intelligence sources rather than data submitted by the Universities themselves.

2021 North Carolina University Ranking
sort by:

Rank University Town
1 Duke University Durham
2 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill
3 North Carolina State University Raleigh
5 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte
4 Wake Forest University Winston-Salem
6 Appalachian State University Boone
7 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro
8 East Carolina University Greenville
10 Elon University Elon
9 University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington
11 Davidson College Davidson
12 Western Carolina University Cullowhee …
13 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Greensboro
14 North Carolina Central University Durham
15 High Point University High Point
16 Campbell University Buies Creek
17 University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke
18 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville
19 Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte
20 Meredith College Raleigh
22 Guilford College Greensboro
21 University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston-Salem
23 Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem
24 Warren Wilson College Swannanoa
27 North Carolina Wesleyan College Rocky Mount …
26 Bennett College Greensboro
25 Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs …
29 Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte
28 Pfeiffer University Misenheimer
32 Salem College Winston-Salem
31 Brevard College Brevard
33 Belmont Abbey College Belmont
30 Lees-McRae College Banner Elk
35 Carolina University Winston Salem …
34 Montreat College Montreat …
36 Methodist University Fayetteville
38 Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory
37 Barton College Wilson
39 Catawba College Salisbury
40 William Peace University Raleigh
41 Saint Augustine’s University Raleigh
42 University of North Carolina at Asheville Asheville
43 Wingate University Wingate
44 Shaw University Raleigh
46 Mars Hill University Mars Hill
47 Greensboro College Greensboro
45 University of Mount Olive Mount Olive …
48 Livingstone College Salisbury
49 Chowan University Murfreesboro
50 St Andrews University Laurinburg
51 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City
52 Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City
Un Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Concord
Legend: Un Unranked

List of Public Universities in North Carolina

The state of North Carolina has 85 colleges and universities to choose from that will give one that necessary step forward to achieving a successful and prosperous career. Whether you want to be a doctor, lawyer, financial analyst, or writer in a well-distributed newspaper, there are many universities in North Carolina for you to receive the knowledge and education need to make those dreams a reality. With well-known cities, such as Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, and Wilmington, one is provided with the best environment to succeed thanks to the exceptional social and educational environments in each of these cities. Check our database below to find the North Carolina university, college, or community college for you.

Quick link: Scholarships

School City Enroll In-State Cost Out-State Cost
Apex School of Theology Durham 1,148 $5,450.00 $5,450.00
Appalachian State University Boone 19,548 $19,387.00 $32,554.00
Barton College Wilson 1,128 $41,170.00 $41,170.00
Belmont Abbey College Belmont 1,717 $32,694.00 $32,694.00
Bennett College Greensboro 736 $30,848.00 $30,848.00
Brevard College Brevard 745 $38,545.00 $38,545.00
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Concord 545 $12,936.00 $12,936.00
Campbell University Buies Creek 7,225 $46,090.00 $46,090.00
Carolina Christian College Winston Salem 75 $4,525.00 $4,525.00
Carolina College of Biblical Studies Fayetteville 154 $5,425.00 $5,425.00
Catawba College Salisbury 1,465 $41,753.00 $41,753.00
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary Charlotte 168 $10,044.00 $10,044.00
Charlotte School of Law Charlotte 1,375 – –
Chowan University Murfreesboro 1,565 $33,920.00 $33,920.00
Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts Asheville 85 – –
Davidson College Davidson 1,910 $60,921.00 $60,921.00
DeVry University-North Carolina Charlotte 945 $18,452.00 $18,452.00
Duke University Durham 17,662 $63,999.00 $63,999.00
East Carolina University Greenville 31,338 $21,102.00 $36,299.00
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City 2,133 $13,359.00 $25,034.00
Elon University Elon 6,832 $45,414.00 $45,414.00
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville 7,142 $13,413.00 $25,021.00
Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs 5,312 $39,390.00 $39,390.00
Grace College of Divinity Fayetteville 150 $3,720.00 $3,720.00
Greensboro College Greensboro 1,045 $39,550.00 $39,550.00
Guilford College Greensboro 2,468 $47,175.00 $47,175.00
Heritage Bible College Dunn 76 $19,477.00 $19,477.00
High Point University High Point 4,625 $46,710.00 $46,710.00
Hood Theological Seminary Salisbury 207 – –
Johnson C Smith University Charlotte 1,684 $32,136.00 $32,136.00
Johnson and Wales University-Charlotte Charlotte 2,498 $42,593.00 $42,593.00
Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine Sugar Grove 81 – –
Laurel University High Point 225 $20,035.00 $20,035.00
Lees-McRae College Banner Elk 1,028 $39,960.00 $39,960.00
Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory 2,281 $45,672.00 $45,672.00
Living Arts College Raleigh 626 $30,774.00 $30,774.00
Livingstone College Salisbury 1,513 $26,721.00 $26,721.00
Mars Hill University Mars Hill 1,563 $39,654.00 $39,654.00
Meredith College Raleigh 2,126 $44,306.00 $44,306.00
Methodist University Fayetteville 2,768 $49,066.00 $49,066.00
Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City 221 $26,050.00 $26,050.00
Miller-Motte College-Wilmington Wilmington 6,311 $12,285.00 $12,285.00
Montreat College Montreat 1,228 $34,978.00 $34,978.00
North Carolina A and T State University Greensboro 12,120 $16,635.00 $29,395.00
North Carolina Central University Durham 8,792 $18,868.00 $30,283.00
North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh 38,786 $22,954.00 $38,209.00
North Carolina Wesleyan College Rocky Mount 2,385 $38,832.00 $38,832.00
Pfeiffer University Misenheimer 2,250 $38,845.00 $38,845.00
Piedmont International University Winston Salem 779 $22,881.00 $22,881.00
Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte 2,853 $47,765.00 $47,765.00
Saint Augustine’s University Raleigh 1,075 $32,416.00 $32,416.00
Salem College Winston Salem 1,236 $42,660.00 $42,660.00
Shaw University Raleigh 2,017 $29,378.00 $29,378.00
Shepherds Theological Seminary Cary 85 – –
South College-Asheville Asheville 541 $20,680.00 $20,680.00
South University-High Point High Point 678 $17,860.00 $17,860.00
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest 2,945 $13,867.00 $13,867.00
St Andrews University Laurinburg 678 $41,000.00 $41,000.00
Strayer University-North Carolina Morrisville 6,489 $14,325.00 $14,325.00
The Art Institute of Charlotte Charlotte 1,588 $33,241.00 $33,241.00
The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham Durham 862 $32,737.00 $32,737.00
University of Mount Olive Mount Olive 4,457 $28,445.00 $28,445.00
University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston-Salem 972 $22,217.00 $37,587.00
University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington 16,708 $21,391.00 $35,419.00
University of North Carolina at Asheville Asheville 4,563 $19,928.00 $34,799.00
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill 31,581 $25,650.00 $50,732.00
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte 31,552 $19,371.00 $32,542.00
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro 22,020 $18,864.00 $33,726.00
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke 7,408 $18,067.00 $28,019.00
University of Phoenix-Charlotte Campus 0 – –
University of Phoenix-North Carolina Charlotte 957 $11,097.00 $11,097.00
University of Phoenix-Raleigh Campus 0 – –
Virginia College-Greensboro Greensboro 928 $14,082.00 $14,082.00
Wake Forest University Winston Salem 8,302 $62,538.00 $62,538.00
Warren Wilson College Swannanoa 966 $44,852.00 $44,852.00
Western Carolina University Cullowhee 11,894 $18,977.00 $29,370.00
William Peace University Raleigh 1,181 $40,250.00 $40,250.00
Wingate University Wingate 3,274 $40,700.00 $40,700.00
Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem 6,297 $17,520.00 $27,050.00
North Carolina Scholarships

Zachary T. Smith ScholarshipsScholarship for residents of North Carolina who are incoming freshmen enrolling at Wake Forest University. Selection based on financial need, leadership experience and academic achievements. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Nonrenewable. more…
University Wide ScholarshipsScholarship for incoming freshmen enrolling at North Carolina State University. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Selection based on academic achievement, character, potential in leadership and service, writing abilities. Award amount may vary. more…
Medlin ScholarshipScholarship for undergraduate students attending Wake Forest University from middle income families. Selection based on academic achievements. Preference given to applicants from North Carolina. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Nonrenewable. more…
Long, Javidi, Prospects & PRSSA ScholarshipScholarship for undergraduate students attending North Carolina State University who are majoring in Communications. Selection based on academic achievement. Due date, award amount and number of awards may vary. more…
Wilkes County ScholarshipScholarship for undergraduate students attending North Carolina State University who are majoring in Poultry Science. Selection based on academic achievement, potential, career goals, and extracurricular activities. Due date, award amount and number of awards may vary. Nonrenewable. more…
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission ScholarshipScholarship for undergraduate students attending North Carolina State University who are majoring in Horticultural Science. Selection based on academic achievement, potential, career goals, and extracurricular activities. Due date, award amount and number of awards may vary. Nonrenewable. more…
Patricia Lufty Apple ScholarshipScholarship for residents of Rockingham and surrounding counties, North Carolina who are undergraduate students attending Rockingham Community College pursuing studies in an Allied Health Field. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate a desire to help others through medicine. Consideration is given to financial need. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Renewable. more…
Gregory Miller Arrington Endowed ScholarshipScholarship for North Carolina or Virginia residents who are undergraduate students enrolled full-time at Barton College. Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and financial need. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Renewable. more…
Gaither M. Beam Sr. ScholarshipScholarship for undergraduate students attending Wake Forest University. Selection based on academic achievements and financial need. Preference given to applicants from Franklin County, North Carolina. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Nonrenewable. more…
Jo Ann Maurer ScholarshipScholarship for North Carolina residents who are undergraduate students attending East Carolina University who are majoring in Nursing. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students may not be NC Nursing Scholars. Due date, award amount and number of awards may vary. Nonrenewable. more…
Jesse A. Williams ScholarshipScholarship for undergraduate students attending Wake Forest University. Selection based on academic achievements. Preference given to applicants from Union County, North Carolina. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Nonrenewable. more…
Horticulture Club-J.C. Raulston ScholarshipScholarship for undergraduate students attending North Carolina State University who are majoring in Horticultural Science. Selection based on academic achievement, potential, career goals, and extracurricular activities. Due date, award amount and number of awards may vary. Nonrenewable. more…
Benjamin P. Forbes ScholarshipScholarship for undergraduate students attending North Carolina State University who are majoring in Food Science. Selection based on academic achievement, potential, career goals, and extracurricular activities. Due date, award amount and number of awards may vary. Nonrenewable. more…
Lucille Finch Jones Presidential Scholarship FundScholarship for incoming freshmen pursuing studies at Queens University of Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. Students must demonstrate leadership potential and have high academic merit. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Contact the college’s financial aid office or the Foundation for more information and/or application. more…
Wade H. Stroud, Jr.-Charlotte-Mecklenburg Fraternal Order of Police FundScholarship for undergraduate students pursuing postsecondary studies at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte majoring in Law Enforcement. Students must have a minimum 2.5 CGPA. Deadlines and award amounts may vary. Contact the college’s financial aid office or the Foundation for more information and/or application. more…

How Many Public Universities in North Carolina

From the Appalachian mountains to the rolling land of the Piedmont to 300 miles of white sandy beaches. Scenic beauty, a culture rich in history and the arts, and world-class sports and recreational opportunities make NC an exceptional place to live.

More about NC
NC beach with kayak
Enjoying Life in NC
When people think of North Carolina, the word that comes to mind first is ‘beautiful.’ North Carolina is a diverse land, home to both mountains and sea. We have 300 miles of white sandy beaches, more than any other Atlantic Coast state except Florida.

Goose Creek State Park
Visit NC
ABOUT, TRAVEL AND CULTURE
VisitNC has things to do, travel guides, events, and information about North Carolina’s cities and regions.

Yellow center lines on a road with trees
Moving to NC
ABOUT
What you need to know when you plan your move.

Market House in downtown Fayetteville
What Happened Today in NC History?
From the death of Blackbeard, to the founding of the first public school, NCPedia tells you what happened on this day in North Carolina’s history.

Discover some of North Carolina’s most popular attractions through the most immersive, comprehensive state-led 360-degree imagery program in the U.S.

NC is Good for Business
Our state is home to some of the best and brightest minds in the country—minds that are directly shaping the future by solving some of the world’s toughest problems. Our world-renowned education system graduates thousands of students into the state’s workforce each year.

If you’re looking for easy access to both domestic and global markets, look no further than North Carolina. Our extensive highway system, four international airports and two seaports make it obvious why North Carolina is consistently ranked as one of the top U.S. states for doing business.

Visit the NC Department of Commerce website to learn why your business needs to be in North Carolina.

Port at Wilmington
The Port at Wilmington

Cost of Living
mother and child shopping for produce in a grocery store.
Raleigh, Charlotte, Asheville, Winston-Salem and Wilmington all received some of the most favorable scores on the Council for Community and Economic Research’s acclaimed cost of living index

North Carolina enjoys a low cost of living, coupled with a high personal satisfaction level. Housing, health care, utilities, groceries and transportation all cost below the national average

Health Care
North Carolina is home to some of the top medical facilities in the U.S. There are four leading medical schools in the state, including:

Duke University School of Medicine
Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
We have more than 100 community hospitals, in addition to the state’s largest hospitals: Carolinas Medical Center and Duke University Medical Center. Three local hospitals rank among the best for cancer care.

Duke University Hospital Campus
North Carolina is home to some of the top medical facilities in the U.S., including Duke University Hospital

Education
Pre-K to 12
Child care teacher and children in a classroomNorth Carolina is proud to have been the first in the nation to address learning standards, student tests and school accountability simultaneously. We have 115 local public school districts and 2,500+ traditional public schools, 148 charter schools, and three residential schools for students with hearing and visual impairments.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction implements the state’s public school laws and the State Board of Education’s policies and procedures governing pre-kindergarten through 12th grade public education. The state Standard Course of Study describes the subjects and course content that is taught in North Carolina public schools, and the assessments and accountability model used to evaluate student, school and district success.

North Carolina has the highest number of National Board-Certified teachers in the nation and ranked among the top four states for pre-kindergarten quality standards by the National Institute for Early Education Research.

Universities
UNC Old Well in springThe University of North Carolina was the first public university in the United States to open its doors and the only one to graduate students in the eighteenth century. The University of North Carolina is a public, multi-campus university dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. It encompasses the 16 diverse constituent institutions and other educational, research, and public service organizations.

Additionally North Carolina has 36 private, non-profit liberal arts, comprehensive, and research colleges and universities accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, including Duke University, Elon University, and Davidson College.

North Carolina boasts 53 colleges and universities, including 17 public universities
Home to four Tier 1 research universities (Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and North Carolina A&T)
Esteemed private colleges, including Wake Forest University and Davidson College, are also located here
Community Colleges
Training on a medical dummyNC Community Colleges are one of the most comprehensive community college systems in the nation. Originally created in the years following World War II, in response to the state’s rapid shift from an agricultural to an industrial economy, community colleges in North Carolina continue to be deeply rooted in economic development and workforce training while also providing Basic Skills and literacy education, and pre-baccalaureate programs.

North Carolina’s community colleges open the door to high-quality, accessible educational opportunities that minimize barriers to post-secondary education, maximize student success, develop a globally and multi-culturally competent workforce, and improve the lives and well-being of individuals.

800,000+ students enroll at one of the state’s 58 community college campuses each year
NC offers some of the most comprehensive and advanced vocational and technical programs in the country

Public Colleges and Universities in North Carolina

To identify the Best Colleges in North Carolina for 2021 we averaged the latest results from the most respected college ranking systems with thousands of real student review scores from around the web to produce a unique College Consensus rating for each school. You won’t find a more comprehensive ranking of the top colleges and universities in North Carolina anywhere. Read more about our rankings methodology and sources at our about page.

Wondering how to pay for your North Carolina college degree? Check out our list of the Top North Carolina Scholarships. If you’re interested in online learning, our ranking of the top online schools in North Carolina is a good place to start.

1
Duke University
Durham, NC
duke
87.9
College Consensus
97.8
Publisher Consensus
78.1
Student Consensus
Last Accessed: May, 2021
Duke University is a relatively small private college that packs a big punch. It is one of the best colleges in North Carolina, as well as among the nation’s leaders in education. Only about 16 percent of applicants are accepted to study at this prestigious university. It has strong academics, social life, and sports programs.

2
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
unc CH
84.1
College Consensus
88.9
Publisher Consensus
79.2
Student Consensus
Last Accessed: May, 2021
Less than 10 miles down the road is Duke’s rival, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. UNC is a public university and has as good academics and sports as Duke has. It is one of the best schools in North Carolina and is a public institution where the cost is lower, and it is not hard to get accepted as a student.

3
Davidson College
Davidson, NC
Davidson
80.1
College Consensus
82.1
Publisher Consensus
78.1
Student Consensus
Last Accessed: May, 2021
Davidson College is a small private college that is one of the best colleges in North Carolina partly because of its size. It has 2,000 students. and a 9-1 teacher-to-student ratio, giving plenty of time for student-teacher interaction. Davidson has 74 academic degrees in 50 departments. About 18 percent of applicants are accepted.

4
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Wake Forest
76.3
College Consensus
73.8
Publisher Consensus
78.7
Student Consensus
Last Accessed: May, 2021
Wake Forest University is another private school among the best colleges in North Carolina. It has six colleges, for subjects like divinity, law, medicine, and arts and sciences. The school was started in 1854, and currently has about 8,000 students per year. Popular majors include math, cultural heritage, politics, and studio art.

5
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
NCSU
74
College Consensus
73.1
Publisher Consensus
74.8
Student Consensus
Last Accessed: May, 2021
NC State University is a public school and is among the best schools in North Carolina. The cost is relatively low and the school has about 36,000 students. The school is research-oriented and features strong programs in natural resources, agriculture, veterinary science, and engineering. As a state institution cost is relatively low for in-state students.

6
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC
App state
73.1
College Consensus
68.3
Publisher Consensus
77.9
Student Consensus
Last Accessed: May, 2021
Appalachian State University is a public school in the mountains of the western part of the state, with 20,000 students. The school offers 150 programs for undergraduate and master’s students. It also has a doctoral program for educational leadership and clinical psychology. The school is also affordable for in-state students.

7
Elon University
Elon, NC
Elon University
67.5
College Consensus
56.7
Publisher Consensus
78.2
Student Consensus
Last Accessed: May, 2021
Elon University is a small college with an emphasis on arts and sciences. Three-fourths of the students will do some international study, and the school has a 78 percent graduation rate. The school has 6,800 students and a 12-1 student-teacher ratio. One of the best schools in North Carolina is also nationally recognized for international study.

8
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC
East Carolina University
55
College Consensus
31.6
Publisher Consensus
78.3
Student Consensus
Last Accessed: May, 2021
East Carolina University started as a teacher training college, and today is one of the best colleges in North Carolina, with nearly 30,000 students. There are 88 undergraduate degrees, 72 master’s degrees, and 19 doctoral programs available. It is known for its nursing and psychology departments.

9
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
unc Wilmington
48.2
College Consensus
19.9
Publisher Consensus
76.6
Student Consensus
Last Accessed: May, 2021
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington began in 1947 as a junior college and is one of the best schools in North Carolina today. It has 13,000 students and most of them commute to school. Popular majors include business management, healthcare, biological sciences, and social sciences.

10
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
WCU
Western Carolina University is not just one of the best colleges in North Carolina – it is the only university in the nation to have its own base camp for outdoor adventures. It focuses on the region and has strong programs in nursing, business management, education, and emergency medical technology.

How Do You Find the Best Colleges in North Carolina?
To find the answer to which colleges in North Carolina are best, a person may want to search for “top colleges in North Carolina” or best North Carolina colleges. Although the search results for top North Carolina colleges may include some that aren’t highly ranking, a person has a starting point as to what colleges to look into further. After a person sees the results, he or she should make a list of some of the colleges that interests the person the most. Then, he or she can further investigate the top colleges in North Carolina. A person may want to further restrict search results to the colleges that offer programs in his or her desire degree area.

A prospective student should take each college that interests him or her and look at the website. The best North Carolina colleges offer smaller class sizes. This allows for the instructor to provide more one-on-one support. A potential pupil also wants to evaluate the school based on its average test scores, tuition rate, and rank, among others. It also helps to look at the percentage of students who are admitted and the percentage of students that graduate to find the top North Carolina colleges.

Another method to help an individual find the top North Carolina colleges is to read reviews from previous students.

How Can You Make Earning a Degree More Affordable?
Price is a factor to consider when comparing the best universities in North Carolina. The top universities aren’t always the most expensive. Moreover, a person can find colleges that provide a solid education that don’t rank as the best universities in North Carolina. Keep in mind that the top unversities for a person’s chosen major might be less costly. A person can also decide on a school that provides the same education but doesn’t come with the hefty pricetag associated with the name of the school. When comparing and looking into the top universities in North Carolina, a person should try to find schools that offer degree programs at affordable rates.

Additionally, a person can make an education from the best North Carolina universities more affordable. For one, an individual can apply for state and federal student aid when choosing one of the best North Carolina univerities. State and federal aid offers grants to students based on their income. They also supply to option to take out low-interest loans, and a student can choose ones that he or she doesn’t have to start making payments on until after he or she finishes the degree program. The state and federal government provide grants to individuals going into certain careers, such as nursing.

If a student chooses one of the top North Carolina universities, he or she may look into grants and scholarships through the school. Organizations and individuals also offer scholarships and grants.

Employers often extend the option of tuition reimbursement as an incentives for employees. The employee makes an agreement to work for the employer upon graduation. After, the employer will reimburse the student for a portion of his or her education. The employee must be enrolled in a degree program approved by the employer.

A person should take a look at all of his or her options because he or she may be able to attend one of the top North Carolina universities for free or at a reduced price.

Does North Carolina Have Online Colleges?
A person may choose to take online classes and complete an entire degree online in North Carolina. Some private and public universities offer the option. Additionally, some community colleges provide students with the option to complete classes online. Sometimes, a degree program is only partially online and will require the student to complete some of the degree in a brick-and-mortar classroom setting.

Many times, an online program teaches students the same material as the college’s traditional class, so a student is only losing out on the socialization aspect of college rather than the benefit of a solid curriculum. However, not only schools are created equal, so it’s important for a person to compare his or her options. One way is by searching for the best colleges in North Carolina. The top colleges in North Carolina may supply education both on campus and online.

There are 74 public colleges and universities in North Carolina enrolling 455,661 students. Explore the list below to find the public college match for you. Public college tend to be larger in size and more affordable than private schools when attended by students with North Carolina state residency.  North Carolina is home to popular public schools like University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University at Raleigh.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large four year public college offering both undergrad and graduate programs. In the most recent statistical year 42,465 prospective students applied, and 9,610 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 4,182 enrolled in the school.  25,220 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 4,791 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2019/2020, excluding room and board, is $7,019 plus fees of $1,961. UNC Chapel Hill is ranked 48 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2020 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a large four year public college offering both undergrad and graduate programs. In the most recent statistical year 31,130 prospective students applied, and 14,050 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 4,873 enrolled in the school.  28,368 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 7,111 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2019/2020, excluding room and board, is $6,535 plus fees of $2,566. NC State is ranked 97 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2020 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

East Carolina University

Located in Greenville, North Carolina, East Carolina University is a large four year public college offering both undergrad and graduate programs. In the most recent statistical year 19,235 prospective students applied, and 15,141 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 4,364 enrolled in the school.  22,087 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 6,631 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2019/2020, excluding room and board, is $4,452 plus fees of $2,786. ECU is ranked 596 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2020 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

Appalachian State University

Located in Boone, North Carolina, Appalachian State University is a large four year public college offering both undergrad and graduate programs. In the most recent statistical year 16,664 prospective students applied, and 12,800 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 3,501 enrolled in the school.  17,291 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 1,817 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2019/2020, excluding room and board, is $4,242 plus fees of $3,167. ASU is ranked 510 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2020 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a large four year public college offering both undergrad and graduate programs. In the most recent statistical year 21,868 prospective students applied, and 14,225 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 3,653 enrolled in the school.  23,589 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 6,121 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2019/2020, excluding room and board, is $3,812 plus fees of $3,093. UNC Charlotte is ranked 474 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2020 U.S. Colleges Ranking.

Western Carolina University

Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, Western Carolina University is a mid-size four year public college offering both undergrad and graduate programs. In the most recent statistical year 11,128 prospective students applied, and 7,646 were granted admission.  Of those admitted 2,107 enrolled in the school.  9,381 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 2,258 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2019/2020, excluding room and board, is $1,000 plus fees of $3,277. WCU is ranked 725 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2020 U.S. Colleges Ranking.