Best Business Programs in North Carolina (2026)
A Business degree in North Carolina can lead to careers in finance, marketing, operations, consulting, or entrepreneurship. The schools below are ranked by graduate earnings, AACSB accreditation, and net price — because the real ROI varies wildly by school.
More for North Carolina:All North Carolina collegesComputer ScienceNursingEngineeringTAG transfer programsTake the fit quiz →
#1
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Net Price
$28,165/yr
Median Earnings
$104,443
Grad Rate
90%
Business Share
22.6%
#2
Elon University
Elon, NC
Net Price
$35,785/yr
Median Earnings
$82,524
Grad Rate
83%
Business Share
29.7%
#3
High Point University
High Point, NC
Net Price
$41,019/yr
Median Earnings
$73,547
Grad Rate
73%
Business Share
38.5%
#4
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Net Price
$11,305/yr
Median Earnings
$81,094
Grad Rate
91%
Business Share
9.3%
#5
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Net Price
$16,486/yr
Median Earnings
$77,810
Grad Rate
85%
Business Share
16.4%
#6
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC
Net Price
$16,082/yr
Median Earnings
$57,488
Grad Rate
73%
Business Share
24.4%
#7
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Net Price
$19,570/yr
Median Earnings
$61,019
Grad Rate
71%
Business Share
20.0%
#8
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Net Price
$15,142/yr
Median Earnings
$63,486
Grad Rate
69%
Business Share
19.4%
#9
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC
Net Price
$16,880/yr
Median Earnings
$60,387
Grad Rate
63%
Business Share
22.1%
#10
Manna University
Fayetteville, NC
Net Price
$23,613/yr
Median Earnings
$37,300
Grad Rate
71%
Business Share
30.9%
#11
Strayer University-North Carolina
Greensboro, NC
Net Price
$18,695/yr
Median Earnings
$44,016
Grad Rate
—
Business Share
77.2%
#12
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC
Net Price
$25,057/yr
Median Earnings
$59,026
Grad Rate
60%
Business Share
20.9%
#13
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
Net Price
$22,801/yr
Median Earnings
$54,417
Grad Rate
71%
Business Share
16.0%
#14
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Net Price
$29,421/yr
Median Earnings
$58,736
Grad Rate
59%
Business Share
20.6%
#15
North Carolina Wesleyan University
Rocky Mount, NC
Net Price
$20,318/yr
Median Earnings
$49,264
Grad Rate
43%
Business Share
39.7%
#16
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont, NC
Net Price
$25,416/yr
Median Earnings
$53,850
Grad Rate
48%
Business Share
30.2%
#17
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
Net Price
$13,025/yr
Median Earnings
$53,764
Grad Rate
61%
Business Share
20.4%
#18
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
Net Price
$12,291/yr
Median Earnings
$53,402
Grad Rate
57%
Business Share
20.1%
#19
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory, NC
Net Price
$18,641/yr
Median Earnings
$54,752
Grad Rate
49%
Business Share
24.1%
#20
Barton College
Wilson, NC
Net Price
$24,367/yr
Median Earnings
$52,876
Grad Rate
47%
Business Share
25.0%
#21
Montreat College
Montreat, NC
Net Price
$25,095/yr
Median Earnings
$53,114
Grad Rate
47%
Business Share
24.1%
#22
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC
Net Price
$15,993/yr
Median Earnings
$52,260
Grad Rate
48%
Business Share
23.3%
#23
Wingate University
Wingate, NC
Net Price
$21,511/yr
Median Earnings
$57,646
Grad Rate
45%
Business Share
21.4%
#24
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
Net Price
$21,150/yr
Median Earnings
$53,543
Grad Rate
51%
Business Share
19.1%
#25
University of Mount Olive
Mount Olive, NC
Net Price
$18,927/yr
Median Earnings
$54,851
Grad Rate
47%
Business Share
21.6%
Why a Business degree?
Business is the most popular bachelor's major in the U.S. (~20% of all degrees), but graduate outcomes vary by 3-4x depending on school. The right school choice matters more here than in almost any other major.
Common career paths: Financial Analyst · Marketing Manager · Management Consultant · Investment Banker · Operations Manager
Typical starting salary range: $55,000–$95,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in North Carolina
Business programs in other states
More college guides like this in your inbox
Weekly analysis of college costs, financial aid, transfer pathways, and career outcomes — for U.S. families.