Colleges in North Carolina
North Carolina punches well above its weight in higher education. UNC Chapel Hill and NC State anchor a strong public system, while Duke University and Wake Forest are among the nation's top private institutions. The Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) is one of the fastest-growing tech and biotech hubs in the US, making NC graduates highly sought after.
Top Colleges in North Carolina by Enrollment
| School | |
|---|---|
North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC · Public | View → |
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC · Public | View → |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC · Public | View → |
East Carolina University Greenville, NC · Public | View → |
Appalachian State University Boone, NC · Public | View → |
University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC · Public | View → |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC · Public | View → |
North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC · Public | View → |
Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC · Public | View → |
Elon University Elon, NC · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Duke University Durham, NC · Private Non-Profit | View → |
North Carolina Central University Durham, NC · Public | View → |
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC · Public | View → |
Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC · Private Non-Profit | View → |
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC · Public | View → |
High Point University High Point, NC · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC · Public | View → |
University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC · Public | View → |
Campbell University Buies Creek, NC · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Strayer University-North Carolina Greensboro, NC · For-Profit | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions — Colleges in North Carolina
How many colleges are in North Carolina?
North Carolina has 62+ bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities. The Research Triangle Park — near Raleigh-Durham — is one of the largest research parks in the world, with 300+ companies employing over 65,000 workers, many of them NC college graduates.
What is the cheapest college in North Carolina?
Average net prices at North Carolina colleges range from under $10,000/year at some public schools for in-state students to over $35,000 at private institutions. Use the DecideMyCampus search to filter NC schools by net price and find the most affordable option for your income level.
What is the best public university in North Carolina?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is widely considered the flagship public university in North Carolina. However, "best" depends on your major, budget, and priorities. Use DecideMyCampus to compare all NC public schools by graduation rates, earnings, and cost.
Do North Carolina colleges offer in-state tuition?
Yes — public universities in North Carolina offer significantly lower tuition for residents. In-state tuition savings can be $10,000–$25,000 per year compared to out-of-state rates. The DecideMyCampus school pages show both in-state and out-of-state tuition costs.
College Cities in North Carolina
Get your free Fit Score for North Carolina schools
Tell us your priorities — cost, earnings, size, selectivity — and we'll rank every North Carolina college for your specific situation in seconds.
Take the Free Fit Quiz