Best North Carolina Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in North Carolina for 2025

There are 137 colleges and universities in North Carolina enrolling 560,313 students. Explore the list of top colleges in North Carolina below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in North Carolina offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

 North Carolina is home to nationally ranked institutions like Duke University, Davidson College, Wake Forest University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The highest ranked college in North Carolina is Duke University and the top rated public state college is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Local college options can be explored in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Winston-Salem or other cities.


137 results

List of the Best North Carolina Colleges

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
N
Greensboro, NC

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#19 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 17,743enrollment
  • $10,592net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Methodist University
M
Fayetteville, NC
 

Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,768enrollment
  • $25,786net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1220SAT range
  • 23-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Wingate University
W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,322enrollment
  • $21,464net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1270SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,128enrollment
  • $29,481net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Western Carolina University
W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#23 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 11,628enrollment
  • $12,252net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Belmont Abbey College
B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,650enrollment
  • $23,463net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

North Carolina Wesleyan College
N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,345enrollment
  • $19,111net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

North Carolina A & T State University
N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#26 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 13,885enrollment
  • $10,258net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Winston Salem State University
W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 4,776enrollment
  • $12,948net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Mount Olive College
M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,128enrollment
  • $17,893net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

Johnson C Smith University
J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#29 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,102enrollment
  • $19,326net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA

Barton College
B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#30 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,259enrollment
  • $23,804net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Elizabeth City State University
E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $7,363net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

University of North Carolina at Pembroke
N
Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#32 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 7,630enrollment
  • $9,687net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#33 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 7,965enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1100SAT range
  • 17-18ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Fayetteville State University
F
HBCU
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#34 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 6,847enrollment
  • $7,298net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 855-1045SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

College of the Albemarle
A
Elizabeth City, NC
 

College of the Albemarle

Public 2 Year

1 reviews

 

  • 2,582enrollment
  • $5,655net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

South Piedmont Community College
S
Polkton, NC
 

South Piedmont Community College

Public 2 Year

0 reviews

 

  • 3,548enrollment
  • $5,212net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA