Best North Carolina Colleges & Universities

In the 1950s, North Carolina had established a high-tech hub with its now-venerated "Research Triangle," focused on the research efforts of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and Duke University. Today the state also supports an extensive local community college system as well as smaller private schools. This guide provides an overview of some of North Carolina's best colleges, including school rankings and comparison tools, information on tuition and financial aid, and a look at the state's major geographical regions. Read on to find out more.

North Carolina College Leaderboard: Rankings

The identification of the “best college” won't be the same from person to person, but it's true that many students value some key criteria, such as tuition, the availability of financial aid, and student-to-faculty ratio. Taking into account those factors and others, we've compiled the following ranking of North Carolina colleges to determine which come out on top.

2-Year Programs

4-Year Programs

North Carolina College Search & Compare Tool

After doing an initial round of research to select potential schools, students may find it helpful to compare those schools side-by-side. The search tool below allows users to select certain criteria and then get apples-to-apples results about how they stack up against each other.

College Outreach Programs in North Carolina

Getting into college is one major hurdle for prospective students, and figuring how to pay for it is another. North Carolina offers several college preparation and planning programs, including ones that help high school students get a head start on college; assist disadvantaged students with getting into college; and give a second chance to students who have been denied admission. Following is a look at a few of the state's programs.

This program gives students a head start on working toward a college degree or professional credential by taking free college courses during their high school years. When they graduate, they will already be several college credits closer to a four-year degree, allowing them to save money on tuition. Students can also take courses that apply toward vocational training or credentials, such as a diploma or certificate.

This annual program invites high school seniors to spend two days on the Chapel Hill campus of the University of North Carolina. Students are selected from ethnic and racial minority groups, as well as from rural and financial disadvantaged situations. The program is designed to assist those who may face additional difficulties pursuing a college education, as well as to foster diversity among the student body at UNC. Students are introduced to college life from both social and academic perspectives.

College Redirection targets students previously denied admission into college and allows them to be recruited by North Carolina colleges and universities that still have openings available. Students may put their name in a pool, and other North Carolina colleges and universities may then offer them a slot. The program runs during the summer, after the initial round of admissions has ended but some schools still have openings they want to fill with qualified applicants.

Cost Analysis of Attending North Carolina Colleges

The cost of higher education in North Carolina depends on several factors, most notably tuition and financial aid. Few students are lucky enough to land a full scholarship, or to have substantial financial resources at their disposal. Instead, most will rely on financial aid and will likely place heavy emphasis on tuition costs when deciding which school to attend. The next three charts aim to provide average tuition rates and financial aid data, so that students can put a school's cost of attendance into perspective.

* Institutional aid represents grant and scholarship funds directly awarded by a postsecondary institution.

* Financial aid data represents 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Most Affordable North Carolina Colleges

Tuition rates never tell the whole story. Financial aid awards, especially grants and scholarships, can substantially offset a school's tuition. Here we list the six most affordable colleges and universities in North Carolina based on their net price, which is the cost of attendance less any financial aid awards.

North Carolina College Net Price vs. National average

Average Annual Net Price

$17,339

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

North Carolina Colleges Highest Alumni Earnings

For most students, what they can expect to earn after graduating is an important factor when deciding whether a particular school is a worthy investment. Below is a ranking of North Carolina's top six schools with the highest paid alumni 10 years after enrollment.

North Carolina Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

Annual Median Earnings
10 Years After Entering College

$37,187

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Colleges in North Carolina With Least Alumni Debt

While determining earning potential is important, another key metric is the average student debt from a particular school. The following ranking lists the six best schools in North Carolina for graduates with the least amount of student loan debt.

North Carolina College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$24,829

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

North Carolina Cost of Living: College Expenses Beyond Tuition

To get the most complete picture on the cost of attending colleges in North Carolina, students must consider the cost of living in a particular area. Low tuition rates help, but they may not offset the overall expenses associated with daily life. As a whole, students can expect the cost of living in North Carolina to be about 5 percent less than the national average, with housing offering a decided break at 15 percent less, but each metro area will be slightly different. Check out the chart below to get a better idea of where a particular area of the state stands in terms of cost of living.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

College Accreditation in North Carolina

When evaluating North Carolina colleges to create a shortlist of possibilities, students should pay special attention to accreditation. Accreditation is verification by an independent entity that a particular school or program meets certain educational standards. Employers typically prefer graduates from accredited institutions, and students may be unable to transfer course credits from unaccredited schools. Financial aid options are also limited for students at unaccredited schools; they are ineligible for federal funding.

Schools can be accredited at both the institutional and program level. Most North Carolina schools seek general accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. At the program level, other organizations accredit specific programs in areas such as engineering, chemistry, nursing and law. Here are a few examples:

• The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accredits the school of business at Wake Forest University.
• The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs accredits the medical assisting program at Kings College.

Major College Cities in North Carolina

Charlotte

Recent college graduates will find a welcoming atmosphere in Charlotte, which ranks second nationally for the best areas for job-seeking grads. Forbes Magazine also listed Charlotte as a top 20 city for businesses and careers. Students can choose from the extensive academic options offered by a large public university, the more intimate environment of a private college, or the practicality and convenience of community college.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte	Public	$12,268	$41,700
As the fourth-largest school in the University of North Carolina system, UNC Charlotte serves approximately 27,000 students and is one of the state's fastest-growing schools. The Charlotte campus opened as a college center in 1946 for returning veterans, and has expanded today to offer some 90 bachelor's degree programs and over 100 graduate programs in a wide variety of fields, such as applied mathematics, real estate and kinesiology.
Central Piedmont Community College	Public	$11,296	$28,100
With a 50-year history, CPCC has six campuses within Mecklenburg County and offers more than 100 programs, including diplomas, degrees and certificate options in areas such as electrical engineering, medical assisting, accounting, dental hygiene and welding technology. No matter their areas of study, all students learn the 'Core 4' which consist of the basic competencies of critical thinking, personal growth, communication and responsibility.
Queens University of Charlotte	Private not-for-profit	$23,166	$38,600
Opened in 1857, the Presbyterian-affiliated Queens now has a student population of about 2,200. Undergraduates can choose from among 40 majors, and graduate students have 10 programs available. The small student body enjoys a student-to-faculty ratio of just 10:1, with the average class size consisting of only 14 students.

Raleigh

The state's capital might also be thought of as its intellectual capital, with a population that is trained and educated in various fields from art to technology. Raleigh and its next-door neighbor Durham serve as an anchor for the three North Carolina colleges that comprise the respected Research Triangle; the area also is home to several other private and community colleges.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh	Public	$13,164	$47,500
NC State is one of North Carolina's premier research institutions, with strong programs in engineering, agriculture, and education among its many offerings. With a student population of over 34,000, NC State makes a notable impact on North Carolina's economy, especially in the science and technology sectors.
Wake Technical Community College	Public	$8,991	$31,300
WTCC is the largest community college in North Carolina, providing academic and professional instruction to over 70,000 students. WTCC is spread over five campuses and two training centers, offering Raleigh-area residents more than 200 diplomas, degrees and certificates. Some of these programs include web and graphic design, materials engineering, applied biotechnology, computer programming and hospitality management.
William Peace University	Private not-for-profit	$18,396	$35,900
Founded in 1857, students at this institution enjoy personal attention with a student-faculty ratio of 13:1. William Peace University has the real-world numbers to back up its quality education, with a 97 percent job or graduate school placement rate. Students also garner plenty of volunteer experience with over 7,000 hours of community service logged from students.

Source: College Scorecard

North Carolina College Resources

Students preparing for college can benefit from the insight of those who already know the ropes. To make the process a little smoother, we've prepared a list of resources that prospective students can turn to for more information about North Carolina colleges.

College Foundation of North Carolina

The Foundation's website serves as a general resource for North Carolina students who are preparing for college, offering advice in areas such as high school planning and financial aid.

eLearningNC

This is a clearinghouse of information about accessing and using North Carolina's out-of-classroom electronic learning options, primarily through online classes. E-learning is supported at multiple education levels, including college and professional learning.

NC Community Colleges

The website for the state's community college system provides students with career resources, distance learning options and curriculum information.

NC4Vets - Education

NC4Vets is a comprehensive resource for the state's military veterans, explaining benefits and programs available to veterans wishing to go to college in North Carolina.

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities

NCICU represents the 36 private colleges and universities in North Carolina. Students interested in a private college education can get information about finding a college, accessing student programs, and paying for school.

University of North Carolina - A System of Higher Learning

Students interested in attending the University of North Carolina at one of its 17 campuses can find a multitude of information concerning scholarships, choosing a degree and admission requirements.

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