Best Computer Science Programs in North Carolina (2026)
If you're choosing a Computer Science program in North Carolina, the right school depends as much on cost and graduation rate as it does on rankings. The schools below are ranked by a combination of CS program strength, graduate earnings, and net price — using federal data, not marketing.
#1
Duke University
Durham, NC
Net Price
$29,612/yr
Median Earnings
$97,800
Grad Rate
96%
Computer Science Share
12.9%
#2
Davidson College
Davidson, NC
Net Price
$17,379/yr
Median Earnings
$81,400
Grad Rate
91%
Computer Science Share
6.3%
#3
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Net Price
$11,655/yr
Median Earnings
$72,200
Grad Rate
92%
Computer Science Share
8.2%
#4
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Net Price
$28,719/yr
Median Earnings
$78,158
Grad Rate
90%
Computer Science Share
3.0%
#5
Elon University
Elon, NC
Net Price
$41,555/yr
Median Earnings
$74,545
Grad Rate
84%
Computer Science Share
2.9%
#6
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Net Price
$17,303/yr
Median Earnings
$68,758
Grad Rate
85%
Computer Science Share
5.5%
#7
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Net Price
$15,435/yr
Median Earnings
$57,289
Grad Rate
68%
Computer Science Share
13.2%
#8
High Point University
High Point, NC
Net Price
$38,707/yr
Median Earnings
$61,389
Grad Rate
72%
Computer Science Share
3.4%
#9
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Net Price
$20,109/yr
Median Earnings
$54,967
Grad Rate
71%
Computer Science Share
3.8%
#10
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC
Net Price
$16,836/yr
Median Earnings
$51,836
Grad Rate
74%
Computer Science Share
2.3%
#11
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC
Net Price
$24,516/yr
Median Earnings
$54,886
Grad Rate
58%
Computer Science Share
6.7%
#12
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
Net Price
$22,488/yr
Median Earnings
$51,539
Grad Rate
68%
Computer Science Share
2.1%
#13
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC
Net Price
$15,739/yr
Median Earnings
$55,146
Grad Rate
62%
Computer Science Share
2.8%
#14
Montreat College
Montreat, NC
Net Price
$27,061/yr
Median Earnings
$45,151
Grad Rate
45%
Computer Science Share
20.2%
#15
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
Net Price
$10,965/yr
Median Earnings
$48,160
Grad Rate
57%
Computer Science Share
5.8%
#16
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
Net Price
$13,315/yr
Median Earnings
$49,458
Grad Rate
60%
Computer Science Share
0.9%
#17
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
Net Price
$17,674/yr
Median Earnings
$48,039
Grad Rate
59%
Computer Science Share
2.5%
#18
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC
Net Price
$10,846/yr
Median Earnings
$44,440
Grad Rate
56%
Computer Science Share
6.7%
#19
University of North Carolina Asheville
Asheville, NC
Net Price
$12,250/yr
Median Earnings
$44,030
Grad Rate
55%
Computer Science Share
3.4%
#20
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC
Net Price
$22,270/yr
Median Earnings
$47,590
Grad Rate
47%
Computer Science Share
5.6%
#21
University of Mount Olive
Mount Olive, NC
Net Price
$18,853/yr
Median Earnings
$47,139
Grad Rate
50%
Computer Science Share
2.6%
#22
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC
Net Price
$17,879/yr
Median Earnings
$48,793
Grad Rate
50%
Computer Science Share
0.9%
#23
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory, NC
Net Price
$20,689/yr
Median Earnings
$45,543
Grad Rate
49%
Computer Science Share
3.0%
#24
North Carolina Wesleyan University
Rocky Mount, NC
Net Price
$17,432/yr
Median Earnings
$45,873
Grad Rate
41%
Computer Science Share
8.0%
#25
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC
Net Price
$24,704/yr
Median Earnings
$48,050
Grad Rate
42%
Computer Science Share
4.7%
Why a Computer Science degree?
Computer Science remains one of the highest-ROI bachelor's degrees in the U.S. AI-related roles are growing 143% year-over-year, and the wage premium for CS skills is widening, not narrowing.
Common career paths: Software Engineer · Data Scientist · AI/ML Engineer · Cybersecurity Analyst · Product Manager
Typical starting salary range: $85,000–$135,000
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
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