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

Nash Community College is a 2-year institution serving a five-county area in eastern North Carolina. Among Nash’s 99 academic fields of study are several programs designed to prepare students for careers in the hospitality industry including Brewing...

“…

Nash Community College has been an amazing experience so far. The professors are caring and helpful. I am not from the area, and every time I needed help locating an office or building someone was there!

” – Rayeann from Zebulon, NC
College placeholder image

With a campus a short drive from Pamlico Sound, Pamlico Community College is a 2-year community college on the east coast of North Carolina. PCC offers degrees and certificates in 18 academic programs. Students in the college’s Cosmetology department...

College placeholder image

Established in 1970, Piedmont Community College is a public, 2-year institution with campuses located in Roxboro and Yanceyville, North Carolina. PCC offers over 30 programs of study, awarding associate’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates...

College placeholder image

Randolph Community College is a 2-year institution with three locations in central North Carolina. RCC is home to over 30 academic majors and its Welding Technology program is one of the only such departments in the state to be designated an...

College placeholder image

Richmond Community College is a 2-year college in southeastern North Carolina. RichmondCC offers degrees and certificates in over 60 academic programs. The RCC campus is also home to the Cole Auditorium hosting numerous college events as well as...

College placeholder image

Roanoke-Chowan Community College is a 2-year institution in northeast North Carolina. R-CCC offers 23 associate degrees and and 36 diploma and certificate-granting programs. The college’s Lateral Entry Teacher Certificate is designed for students who...

College placeholder image

Robeson Community College is a 2-year institution in southeastern North Carolina. RCC is home to six academic departments offering 25 degree and certificate-granting programs, as well as an honors program. Additionally, five degrees are available...

College placeholder image

Rockingham Community College is a 2-year college in north-central North Carolina. RCC confers degrees and certificates in 21 fields of study. As befitting a state with the largest number of craft breweries in the south, RCC is home to North Carolina...

College placeholder image

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Salisbury, North Carolina, with satellite campuses in Concord and Kannapolis. Rowan-Cabarrus offers 32 degrees, 30 diplomas, and over 140 certificates, as well as four...

“…

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a great community college with several different locations. The Criminal Justice classes offer a stimulating environment. I would recommend this school to anyone!

” – Angela from Salisbury, NC
College placeholder image

Sampson Community College is a 2-year college in eastern North Carolina. SCC is home to six academic pathways hosting 27 associate degree majors as well as over 30 certificate-granting programs. In addition, Sampson is part of the NC Virtual Learning...

College placeholder image

Surrounded by a heavily wooded area in Pinehurst, North Carolina, Sandhills Community College is a rural 2-year community college in the Tar Heel State. As the first community college in North Carolina to offer a transfer degree to a 4-year...

College placeholder image

South Piedmont Community College is a 2-year institution with two campuses and two extension centers in south-central North Carolina. South Piedmont is home to nine academic departments of degree and certificate-granting programs, as well as an...

College placeholder image

Established in 1964, Southeastern Community College in North Carolina is a public, 2-year institution located on a 246-acre campus in Whiteville. SCCNC offers 26 career-oriented programs, awarding diplomas, certificates, and associate’s degrees upon...

College placeholder image

With campus in the heart of Nantahala National Forest, Southwestern Community College is a 2-year college in southwest North Carolina. SCC offers degree and certificate programs in Health Sciences, Career Technologies, and Arts & Sciences, as well as...

“…

Going to Southwestern Community College has increased my knowledge on a lot of things. Although many people tend to write off community colleges as being a tier below a four year university, this school really does a good job in teaching you your...

” – Daniel from Bryson City, NC
College placeholder image

Surry Community College is a 2-year institution in the Blue Ridge Mountains area of North Carolina. SCC offers degrees and certificates in 48 areas of study and the college makes eight degrees and six certificates available entirely online. Students...

“…

This is a wonderful college! The teachers are great at what they do and they really take the time to help students be successful. The campus is also very neat.

” – Surry Student from Elkin,NC
College placeholder image

Established in 1964, Tri-County Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Murphy, North Carolina, with satellite centers in Robbinsville and Marble. TCCC offers over 30 programs of study, which are primarily career-oriented and...

College placeholder image

Wayne Community College is a 2-year college in eastern North Carolina. WCC is home to 10 career pathways hosting over 100 degree and certificate-granting academic programs. To provide a hands-on learning experience, the college’s Aviation program...

College placeholder image

Western Piedmont Community College is a 2-year institution in western North Carolina. WPCC offers degrees and certificates in 42 fields of study and every student is equipped with Microsoft Access software for use on up to five devices. Home of the...

“…

I am definitely learning a lot. I have taken classes that I have taken in high school and have reviewed and studied deeper than I could have in my high school years. The material is not just crammed into the brain to be tested on, but is actually...

” – Hannah from Morganton, NC
College placeholder image

With a main campus nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Brushy Mountains, Wilkes Community College is a 2-year college serving three counties in northwest North Carolina. WCC is home to five academic departments including a...

“…

Wilkes Community College is a wonderful place to begin a college career at. This school is an A+ school in academics and has wonderful staff and a lovely facility. This college is top grade when it comes to quality of the education.

” – Kayla from Purlear, NC
College placeholder image

Wilson Community College is a 2-year college in eastern North Carolina. Wilson offers degrees and certificates in 23 academic programs and five associate degrees are available entirely online. A number of Wilson classes are designated Public Service...