North Carolina Top Universities

Best Colleges and Universities in North Carolina

North Carolina is located in the southeastern United States, bordered by South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia. North Carolina is known for its beautiful beaches, rolling hills and mountains, and diverse landscapes. The state’s economy is largely based on agriculture and manufacturing. North Carolina is also home to a number of universities and colleges, including Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

List of Top Colleges in the State of North Carolina

Are you planning to attend a North Carolina college? Then, you have come to the right place! We have carefully reviewed each of 4-year colleges and universities in the state of North Carolina and the following are the top-ranked public and private programs listed in alphabetical order. You can keep reading to see best NC colleges. Please note that you will be directed to a different website.

Low cost, high quality education is perhaps one of North Carolina’s best features. The state is home to 37 independent colleges and universities, ranging in size from 500 to 12,000 students. The average enrollment is 1,868, while the average enrollment at four-year state institutions is 9,725. In most private colleges and universities, education is carried out in small classes by professors who are dedicated to undergraduate teaching, not research. This atmosphere enables students to develop close personal relationships with their professors.

Partly because of the ‘personal touch’, students who complete their undergraduate degrees at North Carolina independent institutions are more likely to do so in four years than their counterparts at state institutions. The advantage to students attending independent colleges and universities is evident for all ethnic groups, and students are also more likely to pursue graduate studies than their state sector counterparts. Most of North Carolina’s private colleges and universities have a variety of programs from which students can choose. However, the majors available will differ from campus to campus.

The liberal arts education that is the basis for academic programs at virtually all independent colleges provides a solid foundation for a lifetime of opportunities, as it enables students to build their careers and adapt to the ever-changing global marketplace.

North Carolina’s independent institutions provide access to students regardless of their family income, with most offering academic and athletic scholarships to qualified international students. And speaking of athletics, most private colleges and universities offer a wide variety of athletic and extracurricular programs, such as student government, service clubs, performing arts, religious groups, and inter-collegiate and intramural athletics. Since international students aren’t competing with thousands of other students for limited spaces to fill a particular activity, they are freer to participate in a variety of these special-interest programs.

North Carolina is as diverse as the private colleges and universities that are located within its boundaries. Of the 50 United States of America, North Carolina is the 28th largest in size, the 11th largest in population, and certainly one of the most beautiful and diverse states in America. From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina is known for its multifaceted terrain and mild climate. The state is divided into three distinct geographic areas – the mountains, the piedmont, or rolling hills, and the coast. The climate is generally uniform, ranging in temperature from 22 to 92 degrees Fahrenheit, with abundant and well-distributed rainfall.

Winters are rarely extremely cold, and although summer can be somewhat hot, an escape can always be found in the cooler mountain air or the breezes at one of the state’s many public beaches.

North Carolina also has a variety of state parks, as well as national and historical landmarks. As you can see, North Carolina is as varied as the independent colleges and universities that make their home there. So, whether you live around the world or just down the street, North Carolina’s private colleges and universities have a special place for you!

Below we list all universities in the state of North Carolina.

  • Appalachian State University (NC)

Founded: 1899
Slogan: “To Be, Rather Than To Seem”
Location: 287 Rivers St, Boone, NC 28608
Tuition: $6,541 (2016)
Acceptance Rate: 66% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 19,280

  • Barton College (NC)

Founded: 1902
Slogan: “They shall have the light of life”
Location: 200 E. ACC Drive, Wilson, NC 27893
Telephone: 1-252-399-6300
Tuition: $29,052 (2016)
Acceptance Rate: 42% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 1,189

  • Belmont Abbey College (NC)

Founded: April 21, 1876
Slogan: “That in all things God may be glorified”
Location: 100 Belmont-Mt Holly Road, Belmont, NC 28012
Tuition: $18,500 (2016)
Acceptance Rate: 68% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 1,495

  • Bennett College (NC)

Founded: August 1, 1873
Slogan: “Education for your future Sisterhood for Life”
Location: 900 E Washington St, Greensboro, NC 27401
Tuition: $18,150 (2015)
Acceptance Rate: 95% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 469

  • Brevard College (NC)

Founded: 1853
Slogan: “Learn in Order to Serve”
Location: One Brevard College Drive, Brevard, NC 28712
Tuition: $27,790 (2016)
Acceptance Rate: 41% (2015)
Total Enrollment: 703

  • Cabarrus College of Health Sciences (NC)

Location: 401 Medical Park Drive, Concord, NC 28025
Tuition: $13,574 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 41.07% (2018)

  • Campbell University (NC)

Founded: 1887
Slogan: “To the stars through difficulties”
Location: 450 Leslie Campbell Ave, Buies Creek, NC 27506
Tuition: $34,630 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 81.0% (2022)
Total Enrollment: 6,185

  • Catawba College (NC)

Founded: 1851
Slogan: “Sit Lux”
Location: 2300 W Innes St, Salisbury, NC 28144
Tuition: $30,520 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 59.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 1,306

  • Chowan University (NC)

Founded: 1848
Slogan: “Light and Truth”
Location: One University Place, Murfreesboro, NC 27855
Tuition: $25,480 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 68.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 981

  • Davidson College (NC)

Founded: 1837
Slogan: “Let Learning Be Cherished Where Liberty Has Arisen”
Location: 102 N. Main Street, Davidson, NC 28035
Telephone: 1-704-894-2000
Tuition: $53,049 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 18.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 1,843

  • Duke University (NC)

Founded: 1838
Slogan: “Knowledge and Faith”
Location: 103 Allen Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Telephone: 919-684-2823
Tuition: $58,198 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 8.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 16,780

  • East Carolina University (NC)

Founded: 1907
Slogan: “To Serve”
Location: East 5th Street, Greenville, NC 27858
Telephone: 1-252-328-6131
Tuition: $7,238 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 79.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 29,131

  • Elizabeth City State University (NC)

Founded: 1891
Slogan: “To Live is to Learn”
Location: 1704 Weeksville Rd, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Tuition: $3,980 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 59.0% (2020)
Total Enrollment: 2,054

  • Elon University (NC)
  • Fayetteville State University (NC)

Founded: 1867
Slogan: “Deeds not Words”
Location: 1200 Murchison Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28301
Tuition: $5,310 (2020)
Acceptance Rate: 67.869995% (2018)
Total Enrollment: 6,020

  • Gardner-Webb University (NC)

Founded: 1905
Slogan: “For God and Humanity”
Location: Main St, Boiling Springs, NC 28017
Tuition: $31,460 (2020)
Acceptance Rate: 67.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 3,521

  • Greensboro College (NC)

Founded: 1838
Slogan: “, No reward without effort”
Location: 815 W Market St, Greensboro, NC 27401
Tuition: $18,500 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 44.46% (2018)

  • Guilford College (NC)

Founded: 1837
Slogan: “I am striving for wisdom and virtue.”
Location: 5800 W Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410
Tuition: $38,530 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 90.72% (2017)
Total Enrollment: 1,200

  • High Point University (NC)

Address: 1 N University Pkwy, High Point, NC 27262
Phone: (336) 841-9000

  • Johnson C. Smith University (NC)

Founded: 1867
Slogan: “Let There Be Light”
Location: 100 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216
Tuition: $18,784 (2020)
Acceptance Rate: 46.0% (2020)
Total Enrollment: 1,624

  • Lees-McRae College (NC)

Founded: 1900
Slogan: “In Montibus, Ex Montibus, Pro Montibus”
Location: 191 Main Street, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Tuition: $26,625 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 54.82% (2019)
Total Enrollment: 838

  • Lenoir-Rhyne University (NC)

Founded: 1891
Slogan: “The truth will set you free”
Location: 625 7th Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601
Tuition: $38,000 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 73.89% (2018)
Total Enrollment: 2,686

  • Livingstone College (NC)

Founded: 1879
Slogan: “A Call To Commitment. Taking Livingstone College to the next level”
Location: 701 W Monroe St, Salisbury, NC 28144
Tuition: $18,296 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 56.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 1,200

  • Mars Hill College (NC)

Founded: 1856
Slogan: “Pro Christo Adolescentibusque”
Location: 100 Athletic St, Mars Hill, NC 28754
Tuition: $34,118 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 63.33% (2019)
Total Enrollment: 1,395

  • Meredith College (NC)

Founded: 1891
Slogan: “Light”
Location: 3800 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27607
Tuition: $38,620 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 68.91% (2017)

  • Methodist University (NC)

Founded: 1956
Slogan: “Truth and Virtue”
Location: 5400 Ramsey St, Fayetteville, NC 28311
Tuition: $34,522 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 63.010002% (2019)

  • Mid-Atlantic Christian University (NC)

Founded: 1948
Slogan: “Set for the Defense of the Gospel”
Location: 715 N Poindexter St, Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Tuition: $15,810 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 41.5% (2019)
Total Enrollment: 218

  • Montreat College (NC)

Founded: 1916
Location: 310 Gaither Circle, Montreat, NC 28757
Tuition: $27,950 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 55.21% (2018)
Total Enrollment: 979

  • Mount Olive College (NC)
  • North Carolina A&T State University (NC)

Founded: 1891
Slogan: “Mind and Hand”
Location: 1601 E Market St, Greensboro, NC 27411
Tuition: $6,657 (2020)
Acceptance Rate: 58.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 13,322

  • North Carolina Central University (NC)

Founded: 1910
Slogan: “Truth and Service”
Location: 1801 Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC 27707
Telephone: 1-919-563-6100
Tuition: $6,534 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 47.0% (2020)
Total Enrollment: 8,207

  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh (NC)

Founded: 1887
Slogan: “Think and Do”
Location: 2101 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27695
Telephone: 1-919-515-3480
Tuition: $9,101 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 47.0% (2020)
Total Enrollment: 36,304

  • North Carolina Wesleyan College (NC)

Founded: 1956
Slogan: “Wisdom and Courage through Christian Education”
Location: 3400 N Wesleyan Blvd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Tuition: $31,650 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 62.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 2,093

  • Peace College (NC)

Founded: 1857
Slogan: “To be, rather than to seem”
Location: 15 E Peace St, Raleigh, NC 27604
Tuition: $32,450 (2020)
Acceptance Rate: 46.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 889

  • Pfeiffer University (NC)

Founded: 1885
Location: 48380 US Hwy 52N, Misenheimer, NC 28109
Tuition: $31,060 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 63.78% (2019)
Total Enrollment: 1,800

  • Queens University of Charlotte (NC)

Founded: 1857
Slogan: “Not to be served but to serve”
Location: 1900 Selwyn Ave, Charlotte, NC 28274
Tuition: $35,720 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 79.0% (2020)
Total Enrollment: 2,338

  • Salem College (NC)

Founded: 1772
Location: 601 S Church St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Tuition: $30,016 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 39.469997% (2018)

  • Shaw University (NC)

Founded: 1865
Slogan: “For Christ and Humanity”
Location: 118 East South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Tuition: $16,480 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 52.359997% (2018)
Total Enrollment: 1,291

  • St. Andrews Presbyterian College (NC)

Founded: 1896
Location: 1700 Dogwood Mile, Laurinburg, NC 28352
Tuition: $27,846 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 40.68% (2018)
Total Enrollment: 600

  • St. Augustine’s College (NC)

Founded: 1848

  • University of North Carolina School of the Arts (NC)

Founded: 1963
Location: 1533 South Main St., Winston-Salem, NC 27127
Tuition: $9,358 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 38.23% (2018)
Total Enrollment: 1,144

  • University of North Carolina at Asheville (NC)

Founded: 1927
Slogan: “I Lift My Eyes to the Mountains”
Location: One University Hts, Asheville, NC 28804
Tuition: $7,231 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 82.0% (2020)
Total Enrollment: 3,765

  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)

Founded: 1789
Slogan: “Light and liberty”
Location: 103 South Bldg Cb 9100, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Tuition: $9,021 (2020)
Acceptance Rate: 22.0% (2020)
Total Enrollment: 30,101

  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte (NC)

Founded: 1946
Location: 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223
Tuition: $7,300 (2020)
Acceptance Rate: 65.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 30,146

  • University of North Carolina at Greensboro (NC)

Founded: 1891
Slogan: “Service”
Location: 1400 Spring Garden St, Greensboro, NC 27402
Tuition: $7,403 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 82.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 19,764

  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke (NC)

Founded: 1887
Location: One University Drive, Pembroke, NC 28372
Tuition: $3,490 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 80.74% (2017)
Total Enrollment: 8,319

  • University of North Carolina at Wilmington (NC)
  • Wake Forest University (NC)

Founded: 1834
Slogan: “For Humanity”
Location: 1834 Wake Forest Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
Tuition: $57,760 (2020)
Acceptance Rate: 29.0% (2020)
Total Enrollment: 8,789

  • Warren Wilson College (NC)

Founded: 1894
Location: 701 Warren Wilson Rd, Swannanoa, NC 28778
Tuition: $37,364 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 85.0% (2021)

  • Western Carolina University (NC)

Founded: 1889
Location: Highway 107, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Tuition: $4,277 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 48.0% (2022)
Total Enrollment: 12,243

  • Wingate University (NC)

Founded: 1896
Slogan: “Faith, Knowledge, Service”
Location: 220 North Camden Road, Wingate, NC 28174
Tuition: $35,290 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 90.0% (2021)
Total Enrollment: 3,681

  • Winston-Salem State University (NC)

Founded: 1892
Slogan: “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve.”
Location: 601 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Winston-Salem, NC 27110
Tuition: $5,941 (2019)
Acceptance Rate: 67.0% (2020)
Total Enrollment: 5,190

More on the Internet

  • COUNTRYAAH: How many counties are there in North Carolina? This website provides a full list of all counties and detailed information of each county in North Carolina.

North Carolina Top Universities