College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Colleges with the highest graduation rates in North Carolina

Colleges ranked by six-year graduation rate, from federal data.

Colleges with the highest graduation rates in North Carolina55 schools

55 schools qualify, ranked by graduation rate. The top 25 are shown.

How this list is made

  • Schools in North Carolina.
  • Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
  • Has a graduation rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by graduation rate, highest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    Carolinas College of Health Sciences

    Charlotte, NC · Public

    Top 1% for graduation

    • 100% graduate
    • 410 undergraduates
  2. 2

    Duke University

    Durham, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in North Carolina

    • 97% graduate
    • 6,488 undergraduates
  3. 3

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Chapel Hill, NC · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • 91% graduate
    • 20,681 undergraduates
  4. 4

    Davidson College

    Davidson, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • 91% graduate
    • 1,904 undergraduates
  5. 5

    Wake Forest University

    Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • 89% graduate
    • 5,471 undergraduates
  6. 6

    North Carolina State University at Raleigh

    Raleigh, NC · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • 85% graduate
    • 27,323 undergraduates
  7. 7

    Elon University

    Elon, NC · Private nonprofit

    Top 8% for graduation

    • 84% graduate
    • 6,402 undergraduates
  8. 8

    Manna University

    Fayetteville, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • 80% graduate
    • 172 undergraduates
  9. 9

    University of North Carolina School of the Arts

    Winston Salem, NC · Public

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • 78% graduate
    • 902 undergraduates
  10. 10

    Appalachian State University

    Boone, NC · Public

    Top 15% for graduation

    • 75% graduate
    • 19,405 undergraduates
  11. 11

    High Point University

    High Point, NC · Private nonprofit

    Top 16% for graduation

    • 74% graduate
    • 5,006 undergraduates
  12. 12

    Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

    Concord, NC · Private nonprofit

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • 71% graduate
    • 661 undergraduates
  13. 13

    University of North Carolina Wilmington

    Wilmington, NC · Public

    Excellent: Compass grade A-

    • 71% graduate
    • 14,494 undergraduates
  14. 14

    Meredith College

    Raleigh, NC · Private nonprofit

    Top 21% for graduation

    • 70% graduate
    • 1,309 undergraduates
  15. 15

    University of North Carolina at Charlotte

    Charlotte, NC · Public

    Top 22% for graduation

    • 69% graduate
    • 23,981 undergraduates
  16. 16

    East Carolina University

    Greenville, NC · Public

    #17 in North Carolina

    • 63% graduate
    • 21,328 undergraduates
  17. 17

    Queens University of Charlotte

    Charlotte, NC · Private nonprofit

    #16 in North Carolina

    • 61% graduate
    • 1,373 undergraduates
  18. 18

    Campbell University

    Buies Creek, NC · Private nonprofit

    #22 in North Carolina

    • 61% graduate
    • 2,813 undergraduates
  19. 19

    Western Carolina University

    Cullowhee, NC · Public

    #18 in North Carolina

    • 60% graduate
    • 10,009 undergraduates
  20. 20

    Salem College

    Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofit

    #24 in North Carolina

    • 57% graduate
    • 436 undergraduates
  21. 21

    North Carolina A & T State University

    Greensboro, NC · Public

    Top 17% for low net price

    • 57% graduate
    • 12,216 undergraduates
  22. 22

    University of North Carolina at Greensboro

    Greensboro, NC · Public

    Top 18% for low net price

    • 56% graduate
    • 14,156 undergraduates
  23. 23

    Gardner-Webb University

    Boiling Springs, NC · Private nonprofit

    #27 in North Carolina

    • 55% graduate
    • 1,840 undergraduates
  24. 24

    University of North Carolina Asheville

    Asheville, NC · Public

    Top 22% for low net price

    • 54% graduate
    • 2,907 undergraduates
  25. 25

    University of Mount Olive

    Mount Olive, NC · Private nonprofit

    #30 in North Carolina

    • 52% graduate
    • 1,937 undergraduates

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Carolinas College of Health Sciences—$15,337$64,624100%
Duke University$29,612$13,000$97,80097%
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill$11,655$14,000$72,20091%
Davidson College$17,379$18,688$81,40091%
Wake Forest University$28,719$21,500$78,15889%
North Carolina State University at Raleigh$17,303$20,121$68,75885%
Elon University$41,555$20,500$74,54584%
Manna University$15,210$13,450—80%
University of North Carolina School of the Arts$14,906$23,870$38,35778%
Appalachian State University$16,836$20,231$51,83675%
High Point University$38,707$24,575$61,38974%
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences$17,618$16,000$58,70871%
University of North Carolina Wilmington$20,109$19,500$54,96771%
Meredith College$22,488$25,000$51,53970%
University of North Carolina at Charlotte$15,435$21,500$57,28969%
East Carolina University$15,739$22,750$55,14663%
Queens University of Charlotte$30,857$25,000$57,67361%
Campbell University$24,516$22,500$54,88661%
Western Carolina University$13,315$21,868$49,45860%
Salem College$18,277$26,649$44,64057%
North Carolina A & T State University$10,846$27,000$44,44057%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro$10,965$22,858$48,16056%
Gardner-Webb University$17,674$24,222$48,03955%
University of North Carolina Asheville$12,250$20,500$44,03054%
University of Mount Olive$18,853$27,209$47,13952%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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