Best mid-size colleges in North Carolina
Colleges with 2,000 to 10,000 undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best mid-size colleges in North Carolina12 schools
12 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in North Carolina.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 2,000 to 10,000 undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Duke University
Durham, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in North Carolina
- 6,488 undergraduates
- 97% graduate
- 2
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 5,471 undergraduates
- 89% graduate
- 3
- 4
High Point University
High Point, NC · Private nonprofitTop 16% for graduation
- 5,006 undergraduates
- 74% graduate
- 5
University of North Carolina Asheville
Asheville, NC · PublicTop 22% for low net price
- 2,907 undergraduates
- 54% graduate
- 6
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC · Private nonprofit#22 in North Carolina
- 2,813 undergraduates
- 61% graduate
- 7
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC · PublicTop 7% for low net price
- 2,048 undergraduates
- 44% graduate
- 8
Wingate University
Wingate, NC · Private nonprofit#30 in North Carolina
- 2,464 undergraduates
- 46% graduate
- 9
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, NC · PublicTop 16% for low net price
- 5,485 undergraduates
- 44% graduate
- 10
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC · Public#43 in North Carolina
- 4,260 undergraduates
- 47% graduate
- 11
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC · Public#47 in North Carolina
- 5,973 undergraduates
- 42% graduate
- 12
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC · PublicTop 10% for low net price
- 5,845 undergraduates
- 38% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | $29,612 | $13,000 | $97,800 | 97% |
| Wake Forest University | $28,719 | $21,500 | $78,158 | 89% |
| Elon University | $41,555 | $20,500 | $74,545 | 84% |
| High Point University | $38,707 | $24,575 | $61,389 | 74% |
| University of North Carolina Asheville | $12,250 | $20,500 | $44,030 | 54% |
| Campbell University | $24,516 | $22,500 | $54,886 | 61% |
| Elizabeth City State University | $6,364 | $21,463 | $40,026 | 44% |
| Wingate University | $20,748 | $25,000 | $52,649 | 46% |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke | $10,260 | $25,000 | $43,407 | 44% |
| Winston-Salem State University | $13,479 | $25,000 | $45,344 | 47% |
| North Carolina Central University | $15,359 | $28,250 | $42,968 | 42% |
| Fayetteville State University | $7,892 | $22,987 | $40,144 | 38% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 11
- Arkansas 9
- California 36
- Colorado 15
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 21
- Georgia 28
- Hawaii 4
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 24
- Indiana 19
- Iowa 5
- Kansas 5
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 12
- Maine 8
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 30
- Michigan 13
- Minnesota 18
- Mississippi 5
- Missouri 16
- Nebraska 4
- New Hampshire 4
- New Jersey 14
- New York 61
- North Dakota 4
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 9
- Oregon 7
- Pennsylvania 43
- Puerto Rico 20
- Rhode Island 8
- South Carolina 12
- South Dakota 5
- Tennessee 15
- Texas 35
- Vermont 4
- Virginia 13
- Washington 9
- West Virginia 5
- Wisconsin 18
- Wyoming 3