Best Colleges in North Carolina
As a southeastern state, North Carolina has warmer winters and hot summers, and it can experience severe weather during both seasons. Colleges in North Carolina include 19 liberal arts and more than forty private institutions. The University of North Carolina System alone has 16 universities that enroll upwards of 180,000 students.The North Carolina Community College System is even larger, with dozens of associate-granting colleges throughout the state. The oldest institution in the state is part of the UNC System, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which is claims to be the oldest public universities in the US period. The most selective is Duke. North Carolina is a national leader in agriculture, financial services, and manufacturing, but has an up-and-coming biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector attracted the research universities in The Triangle. Top attractions in the Old North State include Chimney Rock State Park, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, and the Biltmore Estate.
How Were the Top Schools in North Carolina Chosen?
Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.
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Founded by the Presbyterian church, Davidson College is a 4-year private liberal arts college in southern North Carolina. Davidson confers bachelor’s degrees in 29 academic majors and 40 minors. Davidson also features an Honor Code forbidding...
Davidson is known for its strenuous academic curriculum, and it lives up to that reputation. There aren't any joke classes, but every class that I have had has been great. The professors actually do the teaching while they don't at large...
” – Andrew from Charlotte, NC
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an institution in the UNC system and the first public university to confer degrees. A member of the Association of American Universities, UNC Chapel Hill is considered a Public Ivy and houses a...
Although some of the classes are large, students have the opportunity for some one on one time with professors and teaching assistants through office hours and smaller versions of lectures called recitations. So no matter the class size, you are...
” – Alexia from Apex, NC
Founded in 1834, Wake Forest University is a 4-year private university with a liberal arts curriculum located in Winston-Salem. Wake Forest confers undergraduate degrees in over 40 academic majors and 60 minors and it does not require students to...
Wake is not only a tough school to get into; it is also tough once you get there. Students jokingly call it Work Forest for a reason. Do not be deterred by warnings of tough classes, a degree from Wake means something, and ultimately Wake alumni...
” – Landon from Sanford, NC
Duke University is a selective, private research university that calls Durham, NC, home. Founded originally as Trinity College in 1838, it was renamed by tobacco tycoon James Buchanan Duke in 1924 and became the “Gothic Wonderland” campus it is today...
In high school, I found that I could ace any class with a study cram the night before any test. By doing this, I never truly learned anything. Sure, I remembered enough for the tests and exams, but if someone were to quiz me a week later, I would...
” – Sophomore from Florida
North Carolina State University is a public land-, sea-, and space-grant research university located in the state capital, Raleigh, home of the annual state fair and Winterfest. The largest university in the Carolinas by enrollment, NC State is home...
Great school; learn new things even in introductory classes.
The majority of my engineering professors at NCSU have been top notch. They have helped me to go beyond the formulas and math by teaching the concepts related to the subject as well as...
” – Wolfpackfan124
University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a public institution and arts conservatory in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It is the first school of Arts in the nation to be funded by the state. The most popular fields of study are...
It has been called the magic hill and I believe it is. Magic is made, created, imagined, seen, and discovered here. YOU WILL WORK HARDER THAN YOU EVER HAVE AND BE MORE EXHAUSTED THAN YOU'VE EVER BEEN AND, HOPEFULLY, THE MOST FULFILLED YOU HAVE EVER...
” – Carissa from Sacramento, CA
Elon University is a selective, mid-size institution located in central North Carolina. It is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our...
I have loved my classes and teachers here at Elon. I transferred from a community college, so I dived right into some of the harder classes, but even the beginning ones I took taught me so much. My favorite class was Business Communications, our...
” – David from Hunt Valley, MD
Situated near the Great Smoky Mountains, Western Carolina University is a public school in the University of North Carolina system with three campus locations. WCU features six colleges granting bachelor’s degrees encompassing over 120 majors, minors...
The class size average is about 30 students which is good for student-professor relationships. You are able to get to know your professor in a setting not much different from high school. Professors strive to make time for your questions and want to...
” – Hannah from Clemmons, NC
Barton College is a private liberal arts institution situated in Wilson, North Carolina. Barton is associated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and has a “selective” admissions process. The school provides a curriculum that focuses on...
Barton has very small class sizes which allows each person to get personal attention. The professors are available majority of the time. There are also resources on campus such as the writing center, tutors, and every building has its own computer...
” – Jayla from NC
Founded in 1851, Catawba College is a private institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and houses a wildlife refuge and ecological preserve on campus. Study abroad opportunities are offered...
Great teachers. Many have the highest degree possible in their field.
” – Ronald from Cartersville, GA
Greensboro College is a liberal arts school affiliated with the United Methodist Church and located in North Carolina. Greensboro is a military-friendly Yellow Ribbon school with “selective” admissions. The curriculum is designed by both the Judeo...
i currently play football for greensboro college. i would say the staff there are outstanding including all the professors. i have learned a great deal in a short time.
” – Dre
More than 130 years ago, Meredith College opened with just over 200 women. Today, our student population is more than 1,700, and we're ranked regionally and nationally among the best colleges.
Meredith is located in Raleigh, North Carolina's capital...
At Meredith College all of your professors will know your name and how well you are doing in their class. They continually strive to challenge and introduce students to new topics and conflicts that our generation faces and provide students with the...
” – Niki from Wake Forest, NC
Originally founded as a teachers college, Appalachian State University is a 4-year public university in the Blue Ridge Mountains region of North Carolina. As a campus of the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian is home to six colleges...
Appalachian State is not your typical college learning experience. When I was searching for the right college I was really looking for a school that not only prepared me academically for life after college but also taught me things that aren't...
” – Lauren from Myrtle Beach , SC
Gardner-Webb University is a private institution affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. It is located in the rural town of Boiling Springs and is the youngest Baptist university in the state. All students must complete four...
Gardner-Webb is a generally small university; the class sizes at GWU provides an excellent environment for learning, asking questions, and getting involved. It's a good thing that at GWU your professor can know you. At GWU your not just a number...
” – Zaneta from Charlotte, NCFounded in 1837, Guilford College is a private liberal arts institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends and integrates Quaker values into the curriculum by offering majors in Community and...
the classes are really small and all of the teachers are very caring. they really get involved in your education and are always available to help you when you need it. everyone seems so passionate about what they're doing and the facilities are...
” – Chelsea from Durham, NC
The University of North Carolina Wilmington is a public institution ranked #6 in Top Public Schools and #14 in Regional Universities South by U.S. News & World Report. UNC Wilmington is a designated military-friendly university with ties to the...
Although I've only been attending for a semester, I really enjoyed the professors here. Colleges employ professors to earn a reputation for the school with their research. Many schools don't even care about the teaching; as long as the teacher's...
” – Kim from Cary, NCFounded in 1853, Brevard College is a small, private liberal arts institution based in the rural town of Brevard, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and offers popular programs in studio arts, psychology, and history...
This school is great for students who feel that a huge university is overwhelming. With a small population, and small classrooms (20 or less) you grow a personal relationship with your professors. We are also located 5 minuets away from Pisgah...
” – Taylor from Hendersonville, NCFounded in 1896 - Wingate University is a comprehensive, independent and growing university located in Wingate, NC, just 25 minutes from Charlotte, NC. At Wingate, students blend in-class learning with out-of-class application and have a life...
Work hard in high school, so they will offer you a large scholarship. Visit the campus. It's really beautiful. :)
” – Shelley from NC
Founded by a Baptist minister in 1887, Campbell University is a 4-year Christian institution in central North Carolina. Campbell encompasses eight colleges and schools offering undergraduate degrees in over 100 majors, concentrations, and tracks. As...
There is a whole lot of nothing to do around Buies Creek, so learning is the next best thing... :)
” – Josh from Eastover, NC
St Andrews University is a public institution based in St. Andrews, Fife, and is the oldest university in Scotland. It is one of the most difficult universities in the UK to gain admittance to. St. Andrews University operates its own wind farm and is...
