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North Carolina Colleges

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North Carolina Colleges

135 Colleges
125,928 Yearly Graduations
$48,648 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$27,186 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

In terms of yearly graduations, North Carolina is ranked #10 in the country with 125,928 degrees handed out in 2021. Students who are able to take advantage of in-state tuition will only pay an average of $12,162 per year to get their degree at a college in North Carolina, while out of state students will pay an average of $16,532 per year.

About 47% of students who go to college in this state take out loans, with the average yearly loan amount being $6,796 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

#1

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
10,480 Yearly Degrees
$9,131 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at North Carolina State University is 36,042, of which 26,150 students are undergraduates and of those, 22,929 are full-time. For undergraduates at NC State, the average graduation time is 4.3 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 46%. Around 46% of accepted students are men, and 54% are women.

Approximately 42% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $7,042 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.0% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $50,971 during the early-career years.

#2

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
9,947 Yearly Degrees
$9,028 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 30,092 students at UNC Chapel Hill in total, 19,395 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 18,505 are full-time. The freshman retention rate at UNC Chapel Hill is 95%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 25%. Around 42% of accepted students are men, and 58% are women.

Roughly 22% of students at UNC Chapel Hill take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $7,375 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $51,002 during the early-career years.

#3

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
8,764 Yearly Degrees
$7,188 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 30,146 students at UNC Charlotte in total, 24,175 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 21,104 are full-time. For undergraduates at UNC Charlotte, the average graduation time is 4.5 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 80%. Around 45% of accepted students are men, and 55% are women.

53% of UNC Charlotte students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $7,602 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 4.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $42,249 during the early-career years.

#4

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
7,432 Yearly Degrees
$7,297 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at East Carolina University is 28,798, of which 23,056 students are undergraduates and of those, 18,886 are full-time. For undergraduates at ECU, the average graduation time is 4.4 years.

Around 88% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 36% are men and 64% are women.

Roughly 59% of students at ECU take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $7,504 a year. ECU has a 5.1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from ECU with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $41,603 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#5

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
6,654 Yearly Degrees
$60,244 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Duke University is 16,172, of which 6,717 students are undergraduates and of those, 6,572 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.

This a very selective school with only 8% of students getting accepted. Around 51% of accepted students are men, and 49% are women.

22% of Duke students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $8,494 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.3% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Duke is $77,260.

#6

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
5,301 Yearly Degrees
$7,410 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 18,061 undergraduates at Appalachian State, of which 16,905 are full-time, and there are 20,023 students altogether. The freshman retention rate at Appalachian State is 86%, which is great when compared to the national average of 68%.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 80%. Of the accepted students, 38% are men and 62% are women.

47% of Appalachian State students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $6,820 a year. Appalachian State has a 3.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Appalachian State is $38,958.

#7

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
5,264 Yearly Degrees
$7,238 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 17,915 students at UNCW in total, 14,650 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 11,989 are full-time. It takes the average UNCW undergraduate about 4.2 years to complete their degree.

About 68% of students who apply get accepted. Around 35% of accepted students are men, and 65% are women.

Approximately 48% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $7,628 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 3.1% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from UNCW with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $41,448 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#8

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
4,984 Yearly Degrees
$7,468 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 19,764 students at UNC Greensboro in total, 15,995 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 13,391 are full-time. For undergraduates at UNC Greensboro, the average graduation time is 4.4 years.

Around 88% of students who apply get accepted. Around 31% of accepted students are men, and 69% are women.

63% of UNC Greensboro students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,235 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 5.3% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from UNC Greensboro is $36,963.

#9

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
3,186 Yearly Degrees
$4,367 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 10,517 undergraduates at WCU, of which 8,760 are full-time, and there are 12,243 students altogether. It takes the average WCU undergraduate about 4.4 years to complete their degree.

About 48% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 39% are men and 61% are women.

Approximately 61% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $6,480 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 5.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from WCU with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $37,533 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#10

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
3,141 Yearly Degrees
$2,768 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 21,760 students at Wake Technical Community College in total, 6,944 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

Approximately 58% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $5,406 a year. The student loan default rate of 11.6% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Wake Technical Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $31,600 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#11

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
2,875 Yearly Degrees
$59,770 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 8,789 students at Wake Forest University in total, 5,441 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 5,367 are full-time. Students tend to stick around at Wake Forest University. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 32%. Of the accepted students, 44% are men and 56% are women.

18% of Wake Forest University students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $12,821 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.6% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $60,081 during the early-career years.

#12

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
2,581 Yearly Degrees
$6,733 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at North Carolina A & T State University is 12,753, of which 11,130 students are undergraduates and of those, 9,933 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 57%. Of the accepted students, 33% are men and 67% are women.

79% of NC A&T students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,555 a year. The student loan default rate of 9.1% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from NC A&T is $32,547.

#13

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
2,460 Yearly Degrees
$2,792 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Central Piedmont Community College is 16,668, which includes 6,367 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19 to 1.

Roughly 1% of students at Central Piedmont Community College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,172 a year. The student loan default rate of 7.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $28,959 during the early-career years.

#14

Elon University

Elon, North Carolina
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
1,958 Yearly Degrees
$38,725 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 6,291 undergraduates at Elon, of which 6,073 are full-time, and there are 7,117 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 72%. Of the accepted students, 37% are men and 63% are women.

Approximately 32% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $10,060 a year. Elon has a 1.2% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Elon is $49,734.

#15

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
1,884 Yearly Degrees
$3,495 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 8,262 students at UNC Pembroke in total, 6,436 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 4,945 are full-time. It takes the average UNC Pembroke undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

Around 91% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 35% are men and 65% are women.

Roughly 67% of students at UNC Pembroke take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,440 a year. The student loan default rate of 10.2% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from UNC Pembroke with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $33,721 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#16

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
1,883 Yearly Degrees
$2,544 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Fayetteville Technical Community College is 10,932, which includes 3,975 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

Roughly 73% of students at FTCC take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $6,190 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 14.2% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from FTCC is $24,025.

#17

Campbell University

Buies Creek, North Carolina
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
1,648 Yearly Degrees
$38,160 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 5,964 students at Campbell in total, 3,720 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 3,098 are full-time. It takes the average Campbell undergraduate about 4.3 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 81%. Around 41% of accepted students are men, and 59% are women.

Roughly 55% of students at Campbell take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $8,711 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.5% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Campbell is $39,153.

#18

North Carolina Central University

Durham, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
1,616 Yearly Degrees
$6,644 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 6,067 undergraduates at North Carolina Central University, of which 4,962 are full-time, and there are 8,078 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

Around 87% of students who apply get accepted. Around 29% of accepted students are men, and 71% are women.

80% of North Carolina Central University students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,565 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 8.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from North Carolina Central University with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $31,426 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#19

Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
1,500 Yearly Degrees
$2,289 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Guilford Technical Community College is 10,821, which includes 4,146 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

Roughly 27% of students at Guilford Technical Community College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $5,041 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 15.1% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Guilford Technical Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $25,923 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#20

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
1,407 Yearly Degrees
$5,379 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 6,726 students at Fayetteville State University in total, 5,661 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 3,959 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

About 79% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 28% are men and 72% are women.

Roughly 64% of students at Fayetteville State University take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,703 a year. The student loan default rate of 11.6% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Fayetteville State University is $31,480.

#21

Cape Fear Community College

Wilmington, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
1,375 Yearly Degrees
$2,748 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 3,054 full-time undergraduates at CFCC, and 8,680 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

12% of CFCC students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $6,037 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 14.2% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from CFCC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $27,816 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#22

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
1,259 Yearly Degrees
$1,940 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 3,031 full-time undergraduates at Pitt Community College, and 7,688 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

20% of Pitt Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $4,869 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 14.7% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Pitt Community College is $28,911.

#23

High Point University

High Point, North Carolina
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
1,215 Yearly Degrees
$39,752 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 4,628 undergraduates at High Point, of which 4,575 are full-time, and there are 5,617 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 77%. Of the accepted students, 37% are men and 63% are women.

45% of High Point students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $11,203 a year. High Point has a 4.4% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from High Point is $46,275.

#24

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
1,167 Yearly Degrees
$6,247 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Winston - Salem State University is 5,169, of which 4,689 students are undergraduates and of those, 4,033 are full-time. For undergraduates at WSSU, the average graduation time is 4.6 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 73%. Of the accepted students, 24% are men and 76% are women.

Approximately 86% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,500 a year. The student loan default rate of 11.2% is very similar to the national average of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from WSSU is $34,554.

#25

Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
1,163 Yearly Degrees
$2,152 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Forsyth Technical Community College is 7,587, which includes 2,712 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.

22% of Forsyth Tech students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $3,650 a year. Students should know that the student default rate at this school is 12.3% which is higher than the national average of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $27,367 during the early-career years.

Other North Carolina Colleges

Rank School Yearly Graduations
26 Gardner - Webb University 1,141
27 Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute 932
28 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College 915
29 Wingate University 856
30 Queens University of Charlotte 846
31 Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College 789
32 University of Mount Olive 784
33 University of North Carolina at Asheville 772
34 Gaston College 755
35 Catawba Valley Community College 734
36 Johnston Community College 719
37 Strayer University - North Carolina 677
38 Lenoir - Rhyne University 671
39 Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary 641
40 Durham Technical Community College 634
41 Coastal Carolina Community College 618
42 Sandhills Community College 614
43 Alamance Community College 605
44 Davidson College 598
45 Davidson County Community College 593
46 Meredith College 562
47 Wayne Community College 555
48 Central Carolina Community College 549
49 North Carolina Wesleyan College 504
50 Craven Community College 500
51 Randolph Community College 462
52 Vance-Granville Community College 461
53 Lenoir Community College 441
54 Mitchell Community College 428
55 Wilkes Community College 424
56 Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte 419
57 Methodist University 408
58 Cleveland Community College 403
59 Surry Community College 396
60 Southwestern Community College 395
61 College of the Albemarle 385
62 Isothermal Community College 379
63 Stanly Community College 362
64 Richmond Community College 355
65 Nash Community College 345
66 Pfeiffer University 343
67 Belmont Abbey College 331
68 Guilford College 327
69 Elizabeth City State University 321
70 Sampson Community College 320
70 Beaufort County Community College 320
72 Blue Ridge Community College 319
73 Western Piedmont Community College 318
74 Brunswick Community College 311
75 Bladen Community College 283
76 Barton College 282
77 Mars Hill University 279
78 Catawba College 278
79 Southeastern Community College 277
80 South Piedmont Community College 273
81 Johnson C Smith University 267
82 Rockingham Community College 260
83 Robeson Community College 256
84 Greensboro College 245
84 University of North Carolina School of the Arts 245
86 Haywood Community College 234
87 Carteret Community College 228
88 Wilson Community College 221
89 Tri-County Community College 217
90 William Peace University 215
91 Lees - McRae College 213
92 Chowan University 199
93 Edgecombe Community College 197
94 Shaw University 193
95 Salem College 190
96 Piedmont International University 189
97 Miller-Motte College Wilmington 175
98 James Sprunt Community College 174
99 Montreat College 172
100 Piedmont Community College 160
101 Carolinas College of Health Sciences 153
102 Halifax Community College 152
103 Cabarrus College of Health Sciences 151
103 McDowell Technical Community College 151
105 Warren Wilson College 147
106 Brevard College 139
107 Montgomery Community College 136
108 Mayland Community College 123
109 Martin Community College 120
110 Livingstone College 116
111 St. Andrews University 113
112 Saint Augustine’s University 108
113 Roanoke-Chowan Community College 90
113 Louisburg College 90
115 Pamlico Community College 62
116 Mid-Atlantic Christian University 53
117 Chamberlain University - North Carolina 47
118 Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts 45
119 Shepherds Theological Seminary 39
120 Bennett College 37
121 Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary 35
122 Carolina College of Biblical Studies 34
123 Grace College of Divinity 31
124 Hood Theological Seminary 28
125 Miller-Motte College Jacksonville 21
126 Miller-Motte College Raleigh 19
127 Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine 17
128 Living Arts College 13
128 Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College 13
130 Carolina Christian College 11
130 DeVry University - North Carolina 11
132 Heritage Bible College 10
132 Miller-Motte College Fayetteville 10
134 Watts School of Nursing 0
134 South University, High Point 0

References

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