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.
#1
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Net Price
$28,719/yr
Median Earnings
$78,158
Grad Rate
90%
Business Share
22.4%
#2
Elon University
Elon, NC
Net Price
$41,555/yr
Median Earnings
$74,545
Grad Rate
84%
Business Share
29.3%
#3
High Point University
High Point, NC
Net Price
$38,707/yr
Median Earnings
$61,389
Grad Rate
72%
Business Share
40.5%
#4
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Net Price
$11,655/yr
Median Earnings
$72,200
Grad Rate
92%
Business Share
9.5%
#5
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Net Price
$17,303/yr
Median Earnings
$68,758
Grad Rate
85%
Business Share
17.0%
#6
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC
Net Price
$16,836/yr
Median Earnings
$51,836
Grad Rate
74%
Business Share
24.5%
#7
Strayer University-North Carolina
Greensboro, NC
Net Price
—
Median Earnings
$40,092
Grad Rate
—
Business Share
83.3%
#8
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Net Price
$15,435/yr
Median Earnings
$57,289
Grad Rate
68%
Business Share
18.9%
#9
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Net Price
$20,109/yr
Median Earnings
$54,967
Grad Rate
71%
Business Share
18.0%
#10
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC
Net Price
$15,739/yr
Median Earnings
$55,146
Grad Rate
62%
Business Share
22.2%
#11
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Net Price
$30,857/yr
Median Earnings
$57,673
Grad Rate
64%
Business Share
18.5%
#12
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC
Net Price
$24,516/yr
Median Earnings
$54,886
Grad Rate
58%
Business Share
23.4%
#13
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
Net Price
$22,488/yr
Median Earnings
$51,539
Grad Rate
68%
Business Share
15.4%
#14
North Carolina Wesleyan University
Rocky Mount, NC
Net Price
$17,432/yr
Median Earnings
$45,873
Grad Rate
41%
Business Share
37.3%
#15
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
Net Price
$13,315/yr
Median Earnings
$49,458
Grad Rate
60%
Business Share
20.7%
#16
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
Net Price
$17,674/yr
Median Earnings
$48,039
Grad Rate
59%
Business Share
19.6%
#17
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
Net Price
$10,965/yr
Median Earnings
$48,160
Grad Rate
57%
Business Share
19.8%
#18
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont, NC
Net Price
$24,639/yr
Median Earnings
$47,937
Grad Rate
47%
Business Share
27.8%
#19
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC
Net Price
$17,879/yr
Median Earnings
$48,793
Grad Rate
50%
Business Share
24.7%
#20
Wingate University
Wingate, NC
Net Price
$20,748/yr
Median Earnings
$52,649
Grad Rate
47%
Business Share
20.5%
#21
University of Mount Olive
Mount Olive, NC
Net Price
$18,853/yr
Median Earnings
$47,139
Grad Rate
50%
Business Share
22.0%
#22
St. Andrews University
Laurinburg, NC
Net Price
$32,513/yr
Median Earnings
$45,606
Grad Rate
28%
Business Share
36.7%
#23
William Peace University
Raleigh, NC
Net Price
$21,649/yr
Median Earnings
$46,643
Grad Rate
45%
Business Share
23.5%
#24
Greensboro College
Greensboro, NC
Net Price
$17,882/yr
Median Earnings
$46,566
Grad Rate
43%
Business Share
24.2%
#25
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC
Net Price
$24,704/yr
Median Earnings
$48,050
Grad Rate
42%
Business Share
22.8%
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
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