Explore North Carolina Colleges
Colleges in North Carolina
Explore 69 colleges and universities in North Carolina, including 17 public institutions and 52 private schools. Compare tuition costs, acceptance rates, and find your perfect fit.
69
Total Colleges
17
Public
52
Private
North Carolina at a Glance
Avg Acceptance Rate
6097%
Average acceptance rate for North Carolina colleges
Avg Net Price
$19,621.302
After financial aid
Avg In-State Tuition
$20,975.971
For public universities
North Carolina College Systems
North Carolina has a major public university system that serve students across the state. Understanding these systems can help you find the right fit.
See how North Carolina colleges compare head-to-head on acceptance rates, costs, and outcomes.
North Carolina Colleges Directory
Browse 69 colleges in North Carolina, sorted by ranking and selectivity.
Durham, NC•Private
6%
Acceptance Rate$78,563/yr
1500-1570
96%
"Duke fuses Gothic grandeur and basketball madness with relentless ambition in North Carolina's brainy Research Triangle."
Chapel Hill, NC•Public
15%
Acceptance Rate$20,823/yr
1390-1530
92%
"At UNC Chapel Hill, you'll join America's first public university, where Tar Heel spirit ignites fierce academics amid pine-scented walks and basketball fever in the Research Triangle."
Raleigh, NC•Public
42%
Acceptance Rate$20,867/yr
1300-1470
85%
"Join the rowdy Wolfpack for hands-on engineering and ag innovation smack in the Research Triangle's tech boom."
Winston Salem, NC•Public
30%
Acceptance Rate$20,014/yr
1140-1370
73%
"University of North Carolina School of the Arts is located in Winston Salem, NC."
Davidson, NC•Private
13%
Acceptance Rate$74,216/yr
1400-1530
90%
"You'll pledge an ironclad Honor Code on day one, trading cutthroat competition for deep trust in a tight-knit Presbyterian liberal arts haven just outside Charlotte."
Elon, NC•Private
66%
Acceptance Rate$56,719/yr
1130-1280
83%
"Small-town North Carolina liberal arts school where communications students run their own TV network and nearly everyone studies abroad."
Wilmington, NC•Public
64%
Acceptance Rate$18,711/yr
1230-1340
74%
"Coastal public university blending marine science excellence with creative arts in beachside Wilmington."
Asheville, NC•Public
92%
Acceptance Rate$15,520/yr
1170-1360
64%
"The UNC system's sole public liberal arts college, where Blue Ridge Mountain views fuel creative minds and rigorous seminars."
Greensboro, NC•Public
89%
Acceptance Rate$15,110/yr
1150-1355
55%
"Historic public university blending strong teacher training roots with diverse research and arts programs."
Charlotte, NC•Public
80%
Acceptance Rate$16,304/yr
1140-1330
64%
"Rising research university powering engineering and business careers in Charlotte's financial epicenter."
Raleigh, NC•Private
74%
Acceptance Rate$55,820/yr
1098-1348
74%
"Raleigh's private women's college, founded in 1891, shapes confident leaders through intimate liberal arts and specialized programs in design and health."
Boone, NC•Public
90%
Acceptance Rate$17,110/yr
1120-1280
76%
"Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC."
Greensboro, NC•Public
50%
Acceptance Rate$13,252/yr
1020-1190
56%
"Nation's largest HBCU, renowned for engineering excellence and unbreakable Aggie Pride."
High Point, NC•Private
75%
Acceptance Rate$55,560/yr
1110-1320
72%
"High Point University is located in High Point, NC."
Cullowhee, NC•Public
82%
Acceptance Rate$13,354/yr
1080-1270
67%
"Mountain-perched public university excelling in emergency management, nursing, and outdoor recreation amid Blue Ridge trails."
Greensboro, NC•Private
80%
Acceptance Rate$53,800/yr
1120-1260
53%
"Quaker-founded liberal arts college pioneering peace studies amid Greensboro's wooded campus."
Salisbury, NC•Private
75%
Acceptance Rate$46,068/yr
1030-1300
59%
"Catawba College is located in Salisbury, NC."
Winston-Salem, NC•Public
78%
Acceptance Rate$14,885/yr
830-1020
65%
"A historic HBCU in Winston-Salem, blending Southern charm with a fierce commitment to community and opportunity."
Wingate, NC•Private
91%
Acceptance Rate$51,768/yr
1010-1210
65%
"A small-town haven in North Carolina where personal connections shape your college journey."
Charlotte, NC•Private
62%
Acceptance Rate$54,830/yr
1140-1340
69%
"Queens University of Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC."
Boiling Springs, NC•Private
77%
Acceptance Rate$42,630/yr
975-1198
43%
"A small Christian university in North Carolina with a tight-knit community and a focus on personal growth."
Brevard, NC•Private
42%
Acceptance Rate$42,900/yr
870-1220
43%
"Brevard College is located in Brevard, NC."
Greenville, NC•Public
89%
Acceptance Rate$15,802/yr
1070-1240
68%
"North Carolina's pirate-powered public powerhouse trains teachers, nurses, and performers in lively Greenville."
Winston-Salem, NC•Private
22%
Acceptance Rate$82,324/yr
1410-1520
90%
"At Wake Forest, you'll join a close-knit community of ambitious Southern scholars who live 'Pro Humanitate' through hands-on service and spirited Demon Deacon traditions."
Buies Creek, NC•Private
87%
Acceptance Rate$51,850/yr
N/A
53%
"A close-knit Baptist university in rural North Carolina with a knack for pre-professional grit."
Charlotte, NC•Private
45%
Acceptance Rate$26,074/yr
N/A
55%
"Charlotte's spirited HBCU where Golden Bulls build bonds and launch careers amid a finance boom."
Swannanoa, NC•Private
71%
Acceptance Rate$50,550/yr
N/A
52%
"Mountain work college where students farm, serve communities, and study under the Triad banner."
Winston-Salem, NC•Private
77%
Acceptance Rate$44,210/yr
1066-1243
59%
"America's oldest women's college since 1772, fostering bold leaders amid Moravian history in arts-filled Winston-Salem."
Greensboro, NC•Private
51%
Acceptance Rate$25,804/yr
820-1060
32%
"Pioneering women's HBCU nurturing Black female leaders in intimate classes amid Greensboro's civil rights legacy."
Showing top 50 of 69 colleges in North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina Colleges
Duke University is the highest-ranked university in North Carolina, ranked #6 nationally. The state is home to several prestigious institutions offering world-class education across various fields.
The average tuition at North Carolina colleges varies by institution type. For public universities, the average in-state tuition is $20,976 per year. Out-of-state students pay an average of $24,127. After financial aid, the average net price is $19,621.
The average acceptance rate for colleges in North Carolina is 61%. However, acceptance rates vary significantly by institution, with some highly selective universities accepting less than 10% of applicants while others maintain open enrollment policies.
North Carolina has a major public university system: University of North Carolina System (UNC). Together, these systems include 16 campuses serving hundreds of thousands of students. The UNC System includes 16 public universities anchored by UNC Chapel Hill, one of America's original public universities.
To qualify for in-state tuition at North Carolina public universities, you typically need to establish residency for at least 12 months before enrolling. Requirements usually include living in the state, having a North Carolina driver's license, registering to vote in the state, and demonstrating intent to remain. Specific requirements vary by institution, so check with your chosen school's admissions office.
North Carolina is located in the Southeast region of the United States. The Southeast combines Southern hospitality with top-tier research universities and a growing tech sector, offering excellent value and vibrant campus life.
North Carolina offers a range of affordable college options. The average net price after financial aid is $19,621. Public universities in North Carolina provide particularly strong value for in-state residents, with lower tuition rates and access to state financial aid programs.
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