Best North Carolina Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in North Carolina for 2024

There are 137 colleges and universities in North Carolina enrolling 551,493 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, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Elon University. 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.

North Carolina Public Private For-Profit 4 year 2 year

137 results

List of the Best North Carolina Colleges

East Carolina University
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E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#19 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 27,151enrollment
  • $14,410net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Guilford College
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G
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,167enrollment
  • $23,882net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 910-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

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Western Carolina University
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W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#21 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 11,635enrollment
  • $13,022net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
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J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,140enrollment
  • $29,238net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 890-1122SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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Wingate University
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W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,396enrollment
  • $18,823net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Belmont Abbey College
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B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,501enrollment
  • $23,522net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 950-1140SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

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North Carolina Wesleyan College
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N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#25 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,337enrollment
  • $18,701net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

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Mount Olive College
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M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,239enrollment
  • $17,878net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

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North Carolina Central University
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N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#27 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Barton College
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B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#28 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,265enrollment
  • $23,443net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

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Johnson C Smith University
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J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#29 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,093enrollment
  • $20,045net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA

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Winston Salem State University
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W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 5,004enrollment
  • $14,097net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 830-1050SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Elizabeth City State University
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E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#31 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,149enrollment
  • $4,120net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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N
Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#32 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 7,666enrollment
  • $8,208net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#33 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 13,487enrollment
  • $9,189net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Fayetteville State University
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F
HBCU
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#34 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 6,787enrollment
  • $6,355net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Saint Augustines College
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S
HBCU
Raleigh, NC

Saint Augustines College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#35 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,108enrollment
  • $20,081net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 780-940SAT range
  • 12-16ACT range
  • 2.5Avg GPA

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College of the Albemarle
A
Elizabeth City, NC
 

College of the Albemarle

Public 2 Year

1 reviews

 

  • 2,314enrollment
  • $3,993net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

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