2023 Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 69 schools in North Carolina to see which ones were the most popular bachelor's degree programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill the most popular school in North Carolina for students working on their bachelor’s degree. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,496 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UNC Chapel Hill is $9,028. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $36,891. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,347 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UNC Chapel Hill. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at North Carolina State University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in North Carolina. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,377 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NC State is $9,131. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $29,916. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,305 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
NC State does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 69 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the # 3 spot on the list. UNC Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6,358 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $7,188 in tuition and fees if they attend UNC Charlotte full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $20,622. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,912 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Online courses are available at UNC Charlotte, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 69 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, East Carolina University landed the # 4 spot on the list. ECU is a public institution located in Greenville, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,233 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $7,297 in tuition and fees if they attend ECU full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $23,574. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,531 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Online courses are available at ECU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 69 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Appalachian State University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Appalachian State University is a large public school located in Boone, North Carolina that handed out 4,368 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Appalachian State is $7,410. Out-of-state students pay an average of $23,017. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $21,113 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Appalachian State does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 4,021 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $7,238 in tuition and fees if they attend UNCW full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $21,303. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,787 in student loans. Around 67% of those degree recipients were women.
UNCW does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #7, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. This fairly large public school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 3,694 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $7,468 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UNC Greensboro. Out-of-state students pay an average of $22,627. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $24,759 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Online courses are available at UNC Greensboro, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #8, Western Carolina University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, the fairly large public school awarded 2,501 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at WCU is $4,367. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,367. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,228 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since WCU does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 80% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #9, Duke University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Duke is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,319 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Duke, expect to pay an average of $60,244 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,049 in student loans. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Duke does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
North Carolina A & T State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. NC A&T is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,126 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from North Carolina who attend NC A&T full time pay an average of $6,733 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $20,243. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,266 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since NC A&T does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Elon University ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Elon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elon, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,638 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Elon, expect to pay an average of $38,725 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Elon accumulate an average of $17,558 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Wake Forest University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,472 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Wake Forest University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $59,770. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $17,222 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Wake Forest University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #13 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Pembroke, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,357 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $3,495 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UNC Pembroke. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,495. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,823 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UNC Pembroke. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Read full report on University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Fayetteville State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,076 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Fayetteville State University is $5,379. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,987. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,780 in student loans. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
Fayetteville State University does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
North Carolina Central University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,043 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
Students from North Carolina who attend North Carolina Central University full time pay an average of $6,644 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $19,351. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,797 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
North Carolina Central University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Winston - Salem State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 991 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from North Carolina who attend WSSU full time pay an average of $6,247 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $16,903. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,735 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 76% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WSSU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.
High Point University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #17 on the list. High Point University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in High Point, North Carolina that handed out 928 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend High Point, expect to pay an average of $39,752 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at High Point. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 19% took at least some of their classes online.
Campbell University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Campbell is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Buies Creek, North Carolina. It awarded 883 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at Campbell is $38,160. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $23,740 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Campbell does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 25% took at least some of their classes online.
University of North Carolina at Asheville landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. University of North Carolina at Asheville is a small public school located in Asheville, North Carolina that handed out 763 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UNCA is $7,319. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $24,667. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,383 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UNCA. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
Davidson College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Davidson, North Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 598 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Davidson, expect to pay an average of $55,000 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Davidson. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Wingate University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Wingate, North Carolina, and it awarded 549 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $40,170 to cover tuition and fees at Wingate. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,901 in student loans. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Wingate is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
University of Mount Olive ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Mount Olive, North Carolina, and it awarded 541 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at UMO is $22,618. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UMO accumulate an average of $30,758 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UMO does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Queens University of Charlotte landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Queens is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 503 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at Queens is $38,726. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,540 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Queens, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 100% took at least some of their classes online.
Gardner - Webb University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular bachelor’s degree programs. Boiling Springs, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 495 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at Gardner - Webb is $32,200. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,734 in student loans. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Gardner - Webb. In fact, around 85% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
North Carolina Wesleyan College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina that handed out 441 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,346 to cover tuition and fees at North Carolina Wesleyan College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,903 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Carolina Wesleyan College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.
Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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