Best Engineering Programs in North Carolina (2026)
Engineering programs in North Carolina range from research-focused public flagships to applied-engineering programs at smaller schools. The list below is ranked by engineering program strength, ABET accreditation, graduate earnings, and net price.
#1
Duke University
Durham, NC
Net Price
$29,612/yr
Median Earnings
$97,800
Grad Rate
96%
Engineering Share
12.8%
#2
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Net Price
$17,303/yr
Median Earnings
$68,758
Grad Rate
85%
Engineering Share
23.8%
#3
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
Net Price
$28,719/yr
Median Earnings
$78,158
Grad Rate
90%
Engineering Share
2.7%
#4
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Net Price
$11,655/yr
Median Earnings
$72,200
Grad Rate
92%
Engineering Share
2.8%
#5
Elon University
Elon, NC
Net Price
$41,555/yr
Median Earnings
$74,545
Grad Rate
84%
Engineering Share
1.7%
#6
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Net Price
$15,435/yr
Median Earnings
$57,289
Grad Rate
68%
Engineering Share
7.9%
#7
High Point University
High Point, NC
Net Price
$38,707/yr
Median Earnings
$61,389
Grad Rate
72%
Engineering Share
0.5%
#8
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Net Price
$20,109/yr
Median Earnings
$54,967
Grad Rate
71%
Engineering Share
0.4%
#9
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Net Price
$30,857/yr
Median Earnings
$57,673
Grad Rate
64%
Engineering Share
1.2%
#10
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC
Net Price
$10,846/yr
Median Earnings
$44,440
Grad Rate
56%
Engineering Share
15.6%
#11
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC
Net Price
$15,739/yr
Median Earnings
$55,146
Grad Rate
62%
Engineering Share
2.1%
#12
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC
Net Price
$24,516/yr
Median Earnings
$54,886
Grad Rate
58%
Engineering Share
3.9%
#13
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
Net Price
$13,315/yr
Median Earnings
$49,458
Grad Rate
60%
Engineering Share
2.1%
#14
University of North Carolina Asheville
Asheville, NC
Net Price
$12,250/yr
Median Earnings
$44,030
Grad Rate
55%
Engineering Share
3.7%
#15
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC
Net Price
$24,704/yr
Median Earnings
$48,050
Grad Rate
42%
Engineering Share
2.4%
#16
Johnson C Smith University
Charlotte, NC
Net Price
$20,894/yr
Median Earnings
$42,680
Grad Rate
34%
Engineering Share
1.5%
#17
Saint Augustine's University
Raleigh, NC
Net Price
$24,313/yr
Median Earnings
$35,730
Grad Rate
30%
Engineering Share
0.8%
Why a Engineering degree?
Engineering bachelor's degrees consistently top the federal earnings data for new graduates. ABET-accredited programs are the standard requirement for licensure and most engineering jobs.
Common career paths: Mechanical Engineer · Civil Engineer · Electrical Engineer · Biomedical Engineer · Environmental Engineer
Typical starting salary range: $72,000–$110,000
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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