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.

Durham, 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

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acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$26,932

average net price

18,023

number of students

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, 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

average act composite

1402

average sat composite

17%

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Small city

campus setting

$10,038

average net price

31,705

number of students

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North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC

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

average act composite

1349

average sat composite

47%

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$14,600

average net price

36,700

number of students

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University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a public, liberal arts university founded in 1891. The urban research campus offers 175 undergraduate degrees through six colleges and schools, as well as 150 master’s programs and 50 doctoral...

“…

Great Teachers (only one crazy teacher yet haha) and in addition to great courses I have had many so many life changes experiences I really couldn't explain in this box

” – Javier from High Point, NC

average act composite

1228

average sat composite

92%

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$9,853

average net price

17,978

number of students

Save to list

Appalachian State University

Boone, 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

average act composite

1202

average sat composite

83%

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$10,687

average net price

20,436

number of students

Save to list

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC

Originally opened as a night school in Charlotte Central High School, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has grown to become a 4-year public research institution and campus of the UNC system. UNC Charlotte is home to seven colleges...

“…

The teachers are always available to help and utilize online resources often during class to keep things from getting dull.
The general education classes can be a pain but the more specialized your classes become the better the teachers become.

” – Anna from Woonsocket, RI

average act composite

1196

average sat composite

80%

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$16,029

average net price

29,551

number of students

Save to list

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

East Carolina University is located in Greenville, NC, and is comprised of 13 colleges. This public research university offers 84 bachelor's and 71 master's degrees, and claims a spot as the state leader in distance educated by providing 90 online...

“…

Out of state tuition is gruesome in this economy! But there is truly no where I'd rather be than an ECU pirate!

” – Purple and Gold, Greenville NC

average act composite

1117

average sat composite

92%

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Small city

campus setting

$15,403

average net price

27,151

number of students

Save to list

Wake Forest University

Winston Salem, 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

average act composite

1390

average sat composite

21%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Major city

campus setting

$26,324

average net price

8,963

number of students

Save to list

Elon University

Elon, NC

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

average act composite

1265

average sat composite

74%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$44,029

average net price

7,123

number of students

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Elon University Martha and Spencer Love School of Business

Elon, NC

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acceptance rate

Not Available

type of institution

level of institution

campus setting

average net price

number of students

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High Point University

High Point, NC

High Point University is The Premier Life Skills University. Having radically transformed the campus since 2005 under the leadership of President Nido R. Qubein, HPU knows transformation well. That’s why leaders commit to preparing students for the...

“…

Attend Summer Experience before your freshman year, you'll earn credit hours, meet other freshman and learn your way around.
Be sure you go to class. Classes are small and you will be missed.

” – Shana from Lexington, NC

average act composite

1193

average sat composite

79%

acceptance rate

Private

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Small city

campus setting

$40,719

average net price

5,981

number of students

Save to list

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC

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

average act composite

1124

average sat composite

85%

acceptance rate

Public

type of institution

4 Year

level of institution

Suburb or town

campus setting

$13,221

average net price

11,635

number of students

Colleges in North Carolina

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