2023 Most Popular 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 Schools in North Carolina to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 165 schools in North Carolina to see which ones were the most popular 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 Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found North Carolina State University to be the most popular school for students in North Carolina. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10,643 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from NC State accumulate an average of $20,889 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 $285 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, NC State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,709 during the early year of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in North Carolina. This large public school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 9,948 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,358 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $300 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNC Chapel Hill graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,808 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in North Carolina list. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a large public school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 8,764 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNC Charlotte accumulate an average of $24,912 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $193, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNC Charlotte, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,346 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Read full report on University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Out of the 165 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Technical Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 8,408 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College accumulate an average of $22,490 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Wake Technical Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,991 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Carolina University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, the large public school awarded 7,432 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,531 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $277, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ECU graduates make an average of $44,403 annually. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Duke University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in North Carolina list. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 6,654 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,762 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $727.After graduating from Duke, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $71,290 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Appalachian State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #7 on the list. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 5,301 students in 2020-2021.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #8, University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, the fairly large public school awarded 5,264 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNCW accumulate an average of $22,787 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $304.After graduating from UNCW, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,326 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
Read full report on University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a fairly large public school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 4,984 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNC Greensboro accumulate an average of $24,759 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $174. Once they receive their degree, UNC Greensboro graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,140 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.
Central Piedmont Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,084 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,635 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Central Piedmont Community College graduates make an average of $36,051 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Fayetteville Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #11 on the list. FTCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It awarded 3,625 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,293 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, FTCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,325 during the early year of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Western Carolina University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This fairly large public school is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and it awarded 3,186 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,228 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $198. Once they receive their degree, WCU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,924 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Gaston College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Dallas, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,915 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,298 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Gaston College graduates make an average of $32,146 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
Guilford Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Jamestown, North Carolina, and it awarded 2,911 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,729 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Guilford Technical Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,854 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Wake Forest University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 2,875 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Wake Forest University accumulate an average of $17,222 in student debt by the time they complete 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. Once they receive their degree, Wake Forest University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,309 during the early year of their career. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
North Carolina A & T State University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. NC A&T is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 2,581 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from NC A&T accumulate an average of $30,266 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $143. Once they receive their degree, NC A&T graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,182 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
With a ranking of #17, Forsyth Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Forsyth Technical Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 2,569 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,427 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Forsyth Tech graduates make an average of $35,071 annually. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Pitt Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in North Carolina list. Pitt Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Winterville, North Carolina that handed out 2,404 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,943 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Pitt Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,276 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 2,338 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,271 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CFCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,667 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Elon University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in North Carolina ranking. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Elon, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,958 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,558 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $724 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Elon graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,723 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Salisbury, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,917 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,722 in student loans.After graduating from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,511 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in North Carolina ranking. UNC Pembroke is a medium-sized public school situated in Pembroke, North Carolina. It awarded 1,884 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UNC Pembroke accumulate an average of $26,823 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $123, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNC Pembroke graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,227 during the early year of their career. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on University of North Carolina at Pembroke
MyComputerCareer - Raleigh came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in North Carolina ranking. MyComputerCareer - Raleigh is a small private for-profit school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 1,831 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,722 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $137. Once they receive their degree, MyComputerCareer - Raleigh graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,250 during the early year of their career. Around 20% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #24, Durham Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Durham Technical Community College is located in Durham, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,825 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College accumulate an average of $24,829 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Durham Technical Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,666 during the early year of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #25, Alamance Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Graham, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 1,730 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from ACC accumulate an average of $13,359 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from ACC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,251 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Wayne Community College | Goldsboro, NC |
| 27 | North Carolina Central University | Durham, NC |
| 28 | Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC |
| 29 | Campbell University | Buies Creek, NC |
| 30 | Coastal Carolina Community College | Jacksonville, NC |
| 31 | Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Hudson, NC |
| 32 | Davidson County Community College | Thomasville, NC |
| 33 | Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville, NC |
| 34 | Wilkes Community College | Wilkesboro, NC |
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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