2026 Best Science & Tech Schools in North Carolina
Looking for the best Science & Tech degree programs in North Carolina? Our ranking highlights 163 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed 129 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Science & Tech Degree Schools in North Carolina
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year in North Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. The median Science & Tech program debt is $13,296. Read the full report on Duke University
You'll be in good company at Wake Forest University, which ranked #2 this year. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. The median Science & Tech program debt is $21,577. More on Wake Forest University
Elon University came in at #3 on this year's Science & Tech ranking in North Carolina. Based in Elon, NC, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Get the full Elon University report
You'll be in good company at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $15,117. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
The strong Science & Tech programs at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #5 place in North Carolina. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,113 in debt. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Meredith College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Raleigh, NC. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,630. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,618. Get the full Meredith College report
Wake Technical Community College placed #7 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. Based in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Graduates carry a median of $17,900 in student loans. More on Wake Technical Community College
East Carolina University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about East Carolina University
Appalachian State University landed the #9 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. The median Science & Tech program debt is $21,992. Get the full Appalachian State University report
South Piedmont Community College came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Polkton, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. South Piedmont Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $10,098 in debt. More on South Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This public school is set in Charlotte, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Central Piedmont Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $11,861 in debt. Read the full report on Central Piedmont Community College
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #12 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. This public school is set in Charlotte, NC. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $24,673. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Wilmington, NC, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $23,013. See the full University Of North Carolina At Wilmington profile
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte placed #14 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a private not-for-profit school based in Charlotte, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. In-state tuition and fees average $41,982. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,574. More on Johnson And Wales University Charlotte
Wingate University placed #15 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. Wingate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wingate, NC. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,576. Graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. Get the full Wingate University report
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #16 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. Located in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. The median Science & Tech program debt is $24,977. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Queens University Of Charlotte did well this year, earning the #17 position. Located in Charlotte, NC, Queens University Of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,846. Queens University Of Charlotte Science & Tech students take on a median of $27,245 in debt. Read the full report on Queens University Of Charlotte
Alamance Community College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Alamance Community College is a public school based in Graham, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Alamance Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $6,625 in debt. See the full Alamance Community College profile
High Point University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in High Point, NC, High Point University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,312. High Point University Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,785 in debt. Get the full High Point University report
Craven Community College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in New Bern, NC, Craven Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Get the full Craven Community College report
Montreat College placed #21 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. Based in Montreat, NC, Montreat College is a private not-for-profit institution. Montreat College graduates 48% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $36,450 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $24,168. Read the full report on Montreat College
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in Hudson, NC, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,528 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,528. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute profile
Gaston College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Dallas, NC, Gaston College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. Read the full report on Gaston College
Belmont Abbey College did well this year, earning the #24 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Belmont, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,500. Graduates carry a median of $27,140 in student loans. Read the full report on Belmont Abbey College
Mount Olive College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Mount Olive, NC, Mount Olive College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Graduates carry a median of $30,798 in student loans. Read the full report on Mount Olive College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Science & Tech Degree Schools in North Carolina
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Beaufort County Community College placed #26 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. Beaufort County Community College is a public school based in Washington, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $7,947. Read more about Beaufort County Community College
Lees Mcrae College landed the #27 spot in North Carolina this year. Lees Mcrae College is a private not-for-profit school based in Banner Elk, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,850. Graduates carry a median of $19,821 in student loans. See the full Lees Mcrae College profile
Western Carolina University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Cullowhee, NC, Western Carolina University is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Graduates carry a median of $24,174 in student loans. Read the full report on Western Carolina University
Campbell University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Based in Buies Creek, NC, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Campbell University graduates 60% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,600. Graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. More on Campbell University
Lenoir Community College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Based in Kinston, NC, Lenoir Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $9,984. See the full Lenoir Community College profile
Catawba College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Salisbury, NC, Catawba College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $34,300. Students borrow a median of $25,667 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Catawba College
Lenoir Rhyne University landed the #32 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Hickory, NC, Lenoir Rhyne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $31,900 in tuition and fees. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,900. More on Lenoir Rhyne University
Wayne Community College placed #33 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. Wayne Community College is a public school based in Goldsboro, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Wayne Community College
Strayer University North Carolina landed the #34 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Greensboro, NC, Strayer University North Carolina is a private for-profit institution. About 33% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. Strayer University North Carolina Science & Tech students take on a median of $47,631 in debt. See the full Strayer University North Carolina profile
Montgomery Community College did well this year, earning the #35 position. Based in Troy, NC, Montgomery Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,538, with out-of-state students paying around $8,682. Read more about Montgomery Community College
Miller Motte College Wilmington ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Miller Motte College Wilmington is a private for-profit school based in Wilmington, NC. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,014. Get the full Miller Motte College Wilmington report
Johnston Community College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Smithfield, NC, Johnston Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. The median Science & Tech program debt is $9,490. More on Johnston Community College
Mitchell Community College did well this year, earning the #38 position. This public school is set in Statesville, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,651, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Mitchell Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $6,313 in debt. Read the full report on Mitchell Community College
Pfeiffer University placed #39 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Misenheimer, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,070. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full Pfeiffer University report
Central Carolina Community College placed #40 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. Set in Sanford, NC, Central Carolina Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Central Carolina Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $10,266 in debt. Read more about Central Carolina Community College
Durham Technical Community College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Durham, NC, Durham Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Read the full report on Durham Technical Community College
Winston Salem State University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Winston Salem State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Winston Salem State University Science & Tech students take on a median of $27,653 in debt. Read more about Winston Salem State University
Haywood Community College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Clyde, NC, Haywood Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. More on Haywood Community College
Fayetteville State University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Set in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Graduates carry a median of $27,869 in student loans. Get the full Fayetteville State University report
Cleveland Community College came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Shelby, NC, Cleveland Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. The median Science & Tech program debt is $7,131. Read the full report on Cleveland Community College
Surry Community College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in Dobson, NC, Surry Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $9,537. Read more about Surry Community College
Gardner Webb University landed the #47 spot in North Carolina this year. Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boiling Springs, NC. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $34,750. Gardner Webb University Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,033 in debt. Get the full Gardner Webb University report
Rowan Cabarrus Community College placed #48 among Science & Tech schools in North Carolina. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a public school based in Salisbury, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Rowan Cabarrus Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $10,867 in debt. Read more about Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Guilford Technical Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This public school is set in Jamestown, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,501 in student loans. Get the full Guilford Technical Community College report
Catawba Valley Community College came in at #50 in this year's ranking. Located in Hickory, NC, Catawba Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,427, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Catawba Valley Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $9,842 in debt. See the full Catawba Valley Community College profile
More Science & Tech Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 129 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 163 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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