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Best Schools in North Carolina

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2023 Best Schools in North Carolina

85 Schools Ranked
$40,371 Average Earnings
$21,909 Avg Student Debt

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Schools in North Carolina ranking. This report analyzed 85 schools in North Carolina to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
$71,290 Average Earnings
$19,762 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Duke University the best school in North Carolina for students working on their degree.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,762 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $727 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Duke graduates make an average of $71,290 annually.

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#2

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
$55,309 Average Earnings
$17,222 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Wake Forest University is a great place for students.

On average, students take out $17,222 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $644, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Wake Forest University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,309 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Wake Forest University

#3

Elon University

Elon, North Carolina
$53,723 Average Earnings
$17,558 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Elon University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Schools in North Carolina list.

On average, students take out $17,558 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $724. Once they receive their degree, Elon graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,723 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Elon University

#4

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
$51,808 Average Earnings
$16,358 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Schools in North Carolina list.

On average, students take out $16,358 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $300, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNC Chapel Hill graduates make an average of $51,808 annually.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Report

#5

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
$49,709 Average Earnings
$20,889 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Schools in North Carolina list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,889 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $285, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from NC State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,709 during the early years of their career.

Full North Carolina State University Report

#6

Meredith College

Raleigh, North Carolina
$33,979 Average Earnings
$27,070 Avg Student Debt

Meredith College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #6 on the list.

Degree recipients from Meredith accumulate an average of $27,070 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Meredith graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,979 during the early year of their career.

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#7

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
$34,991 Average Earnings
$22,490 Avg Student Debt

Wake Technical Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Schools in North Carolina list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,490 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Wake Technical Community College graduates make an average of $34,991 annually.

Read full report on Wake Technical Community College

#8

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
$44,403 Average Earnings
$24,531 Avg Student Debt

East Carolina University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

Degree recipients from ECU accumulate an average of $24,531 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $277 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ECU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,403 during the early year of their career.

Full East Carolina University Report

#9

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
$35,760 Average Earnings
$21,113 Avg Student Debt

Appalachian State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in North Carolina ranking.

On average, students take out $21,113 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $224, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Appalachian State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,760 during the early years of their career.

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#10

South Piedmont Community College

Polkton, North Carolina
$38,106 Average Earnings
$14,061 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, South Piedmont Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $14,061 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, South Piedmont Community College graduates make an average of $38,106 annually.

Read full report on South Piedmont Community College

#11

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
$36,051 Average Earnings
$14,635 Avg Student Debt

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Schools in North Carolina list.

Degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College accumulate an average of $14,635 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Central Piedmont Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,051 during the early year of their career.

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#12

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
$46,346 Average Earnings
$24,912 Avg Student Debt

University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranked #12 on this year’s Best Schools in North Carolina list.

On average, students take out $24,912 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $193 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNC Charlotte graduates make an average of $46,346 annually.

Read full report on University of North Carolina at Charlotte

#13

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
$37,326 Average Earnings
$22,787 Avg Student Debt

University of North Carolina at Wilmington came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in North Carolina ranking.

On average, students take out $22,787 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $304 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNCW, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,326 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of North Carolina at Wilmington

#14

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
$35,547 Average Earnings
$26,578 Avg Student Debt

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,578 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $374, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from JWU Charlotte, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,547 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

#15

Wingate University

Wingate, North Carolina
$50,728 Average Earnings
$24,901 Avg Student Debt

Wingate University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in North Carolina ranking.

On average, students take out $24,901 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $315. Once they receive their degree, Wingate graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,728 during the early year of their career.

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#16

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
$37,140 Average Earnings
$24,759 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $24,759 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $174. During the early years of their career, UNC Greensboro graduates make an average of $37,140 annually.

Full University of North Carolina at Greensboro Report

#17

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
$49,246 Average Earnings
$27,540 Avg Student Debt

Queens University of Charlotte did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #17 on the list.

On average, students take out $27,540 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Queens, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,246 during the early years of their career.

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#18

Alamance Community College

Graham, North Carolina
$30,251 Average Earnings
$13,359 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, Alamance Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,359 in student loans. During the early years of their career, ACC graduates make an average of $30,251 annually.

Read full report on Alamance Community College

#19

High Point University

High Point, North Carolina
$49,697 Average Earnings

High Point University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Schools in North Carolina list.

After graduating from High Point, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,697 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on High Point University

#20

Craven Community College

New Bern, North Carolina
$36,426 Average Earnings
$11,708 Avg Student Debt

Craven Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #20 on the list.

On average, students take out $11,708 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Craven Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,426 during the early years of their career.

Full Craven Community College Report

#21

Montreat College

Montreat, North Carolina
$39,832 Average Earnings
$24,641 Avg Student Debt

Montreat College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #21 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,641 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Montreat College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,832 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Montreat College

$30,561 Average Earnings
$10,798 Avg Student Debt

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #22 on the list.

On average, students take out $10,798 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CCCTI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,561 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

#23

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
$32,146 Average Earnings
$12,298 Avg Student Debt

Gaston College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Schools in North Carolina list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,298 in student loans.After graduating from Gaston College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,146 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Gaston College

#24

Belmont Abbey College

Belmont, North Carolina
$34,921 Average Earnings
$28,397 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, Belmont Abbey College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

On average, students take out $28,397 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $441. Once they receive their degree, BAC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,921 during the early year of their career.

Full Belmont Abbey College Report

#25

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, North Carolina
$41,660 Average Earnings
$30,843 Avg Student Debt

University of Mount Olive did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #25 on the list.

Degree recipients from UMO accumulate an average of $30,843 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from UMO, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,660 during the early years of their career.

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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