Best Colleges in North Carolina

As a southeastern state, North Carolina has warmer winters and hot summers, and it can experience severe weather during both seasons. Colleges in North Carolina include 19 liberal arts and more than forty private institutions. The University of North Carolina System alone has 16 universities that enroll upwards of 180,000 students.The North Carolina Community College System is even larger, with dozens of associate-granting colleges throughout the state. The oldest institution in the state is part of the UNC System, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which is claims to be the oldest public universities in the US period. The most selective is Duke. North Carolina is a national leader in agriculture, financial services, and manufacturing, but has an up-and-coming biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector attracted the research universities in The Triangle. Top attractions in the Old North State include Chimney Rock State Park, Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, and the Biltmore Estate.

How Were the Top Schools in North Carolina Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

Explore the Best Universities in North Carolina with Appily!

Create a Appily account to start saving schools to your personal list. Wondering where you stand when applying to the best universities in the USA? You can also see your chances of acceptance and get insights into your target, reach, and likely schools.

College placeholder image

Central Carolina Community College is a 2-year institution with campuses in three North Carolina counties. CCCC offers over 130 academic programs and is one of the only community colleges in the United States to offer a Laser-Photonics Technology...

College placeholder image

With brick buildings across many blocks, Central Piedmont Community College maintains six campuses across Mecklenburg County.  The locations include the newly renovated performing arts Pease Auditorium and the Philip L. Van Every Culinary Arts Center...

“…

Many useful, transferable, flexible classes that meet academic needs!

” – Alias
College placeholder image

Cleveland Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Shelby, North Carolina. CCC offers over 180 academic programs, awarding diplomas, certificates, and associate’s degrees for job placement and college transfer. Students have...

College placeholder image

Coastal Carolina Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Jacksonville, North Carolina, with satellite facilities located in Camp Lejeune. Coastal Carolina offers associate’s degrees in Arts, Science, Engineering, Music...

“…

Learning is a big part of your college experience if not the biggest. And this school for being in a small city has been a large institution in my life my learning. I never knew I would learn so much in so little time.

” – Momo
College placeholder image

College of The Albemarle is a public, 2-year institution established in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, with satellite locations in Manteo, Edenton, and Barco. COA offers over 40 associate’s degree and certificate programs, which are designed either...

“…

The classes that you will take at College of the Albemarle will benefit you for the rest of your life. You will not have to take stupid classes that there is no point in taking. I attended COA to get my basic general education before transferring...

” – Judy from Manteo, NC
College placeholder image

With campus a short distance from the Neuse River and Croatan National Forest, Craven Community College is a 2-year college in eastern North Carolina. Among CCC’s academic offerings, the college features an Aviation Systems Technology program...

“…

I have learned much about the field I am interested in and about what actions and devices are necessary to accomplish the tasks I intend to undertake.

” – Joshua from New Bern, NC
College placeholder image

Davidson County Community College is a 2-year community college in central North Carolina. DCCC offers numerous degrees and certificates among four schools of learning and many of its courses are available online. Students who earn DCCC credits are...

“…

its an awesome school, great people, great classes!

” – Kashina from Thomasville, NC
College placeholder image

Durham Technical Community College is a 2-year institution with seven campuses in North Carolina’s Research Triangle. Durham Tech offers over 100 degree and certificate programs in 18 academic departments. The college’s Interpretation/Translation...

“…

The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. The classes are fast paced. Small class sizes.

” – Jasmine from Durham, NC
College placeholder image

Founded in 1967, Edgecombe Community College is a 2-year community college with two campuses in eastern North Carolina. ECC awards associate degrees and certificates in over 200 academic programs and is home to the only Unmanned Aircraft Systems...

College placeholder image

One of the largest 2-year community colleges in the state of North Carolina, Forsyth Technical Community College serves students in Winston-Salem and its surrounding area.  Forsyth Tech’s Student Success Center employs a number of personal and career...

“…

Forsyth Tech offers a lot of opportunities to learn that I didn't expect. I am teaching myself Italian with Rossetta Stone - for free! The professors are also very open and willing to answer my questions. Most of them genuinely want to see the...

” – Sarah from Kernersville, NC
College placeholder image

Gaston College is a public, 2-year institution established in Dallas, North Carolina, with satellite facilities located in Lincolnton and Belmont. The college offers over 100 academic programs, which award associate’s degrees, certificates, and...

“…

They have amazing instructors. They have friendly staff members. They always go above and beyond what is expected to help any student that needs help with any certain thing.

” – Amanda from Iron Station, NC
College placeholder image

Isothermal Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Spindale, North Carolina, with satellite facilities located in Columbus and Rutherford. ICC offers over 100 career-oriented and academic associate’s degree and certificate...

College placeholder image

Established in 1967, James Sprunt Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Kenansville, North Carolina. James Sprunt offers over 30 diploma, certificate, and associate’s degree programs, with a variety of courses available online...

College placeholder image

Johnston Community College is a 2-year institution with a main campus and four extension sites in eastern North Carolina. Johnston is home to 11 academic departments featuring over 40 degree and certificate-granting programs. Its Transportation...

College placeholder image

Lenoir Community College is a 2-year college with a main campus and eight extension sites in eastern North Carolina. LCC is home to five academic departments offering 46 associate degree-granting programs. For students who need help transitioning to...

College placeholder image

Martin Community College is a 2-year institution in eastern North Carolina. MCC confers degrees and certificates in 22 areas of study as well as a General Education degree. Additionally, MCC is the only area college to offer degrees in Equine...

“…

Martin Community College is a small college, so there's no huge clutters/crowds. The professors I've met seemed very friendly and down-to-earth people willing to help you. The Registrar's Office was extremely helpful.

” – John from Williamston, NC
College placeholder image

Mayland Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, with satellite facilities in Newland and Burnsville. MCC offers over 40 career-oriented associate’s degrees and certificates, as well as associate’s...

College placeholder image

McDowell Technical Community College is a 2-year college with a main campus and three extension sites in western North Carolina. McDowell Tech is home to 30 academic departments conferring degrees and certificates. The campus’ Universal Advanced...

College placeholder image

Mitchell Community College is a 2-year institution with two campuses in western North Carolina. MCC offers degrees and certificates in 38 fields of study as well as numerous continuing education and “just for fun” classes. Cosmetology students have a...

“…

Researching this school

” – Vanessa from Mooresville, NC
College placeholder image

Montgomery Community College is a 2-year community college in central North Carolina. MCC grants degrees and certificates in 29 fields of study. To help protect surrounding forests and communities, MCC partners with the North Carolina Forest Service...