North Carolina
Colleges in North Carolina
North Carolina has 61 accredited four-year colleges on College Compass Guide, each rated on academics and value from federal data; 17 are Compass Recommended.
Map of colleges in North Carolina
Hover or tap a dot to see the school and its score.
Compass ScoreNot yet ratedMap: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries; roads and places © OpenStreetMap contributors via OpenFreeMap.
Highest-rated colleges in North Carolina
#1 in North Carolina
Duke University
Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 1%Durham, NC · Value B+ · Academics A+
#2 in North Carolina
Davidson College
Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 2%Davidson, NC · Value A · Academics A+
#3 in North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 2%Chapel Hill, NC · Value A+ · Academics A
Top lists in North Carolina
- 55 schoolsBest colleges
- 33 schoolsBest colleges for nursing
- 17 schoolsBest colleges for engineering
- 49 schoolsBest colleges for business
- 47 schoolsBest colleges for education
- 50 schoolsBest colleges for biology and pre-med
- 51 schoolsBest colleges for psychology
- 24 schoolsBest colleges for computer science
Show all 46 lists
- 42 schoolsBest colleges for communications and journalism
- 34 schoolsBest colleges for accounting
- 19 schoolsBest colleges for finance
- 23 schoolsBest colleges for marketing
- 39 schoolsBest colleges for criminal justice
- 42 schoolsBest colleges for political science and pre-law
- 25 schoolsBest colleges for economics
- 45 schoolsBest colleges for history
- 47 schoolsBest colleges for English
- 45 schoolsBest colleges for mathematics
- 41 schoolsBest colleges for chemistry
- 44 schoolsBest colleges for music
- 39 schoolsBest colleges for art and design
- 42 schoolsBest colleges for exercise science and kinesiology
- 24 schoolsBest colleges for social work
- 16 schoolsBest value colleges
- 17 schoolsMost affordable colleges with strong academics
- 55 schoolsColleges with the highest graduation rates
- 34 schoolsBest small colleges
- 9 schoolsBest large colleges
- 12 schoolsBest mid-size colleges
- 19 schoolsBest colleges for NCAA Division I athletes
- 17 schoolsBest colleges for NCAA Division II athletes
- 10 schoolsBest colleges for NCAA Division III athletes
- 54 schoolsBest test-optional colleges
- 3 schoolsBest online colleges
- 17 schoolsColleges with the biggest discount off the sticker price
- 17 schoolsLowest net price for middle-income families
- 18 schoolsColleges with the lowest student debt
- 16 schoolsColleges with the best earnings for the price
- 15 schoolsColleges that pay for themselves fastest
- 9 schoolsBest colleges under $20,000 a year
- 16 schoolsBest value colleges in the South
- 17 schoolsColleges where the most freshmen return
- 18 schoolsColleges with the most faculty per student
- 18 schoolsColleges that spend the most on teaching
- 3 schoolsColleges where Pell Grant students thrive
- 18 schoolsMost selective colleges
All colleges in North Carolina
| School | Compass Score | Value | Academics | Net price | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Durham · Private nonprofit | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $29,612 | 17,112 | |
| Davidson College Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Davidson · Private nonprofit | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,379 | 1,904 | |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Chapel Hill · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $11,655 | 32,234 | |
| Wake Forest University Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Winston-Salem · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $28,719 | 9,121 | |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Raleigh · Public | A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,303 | 37,323 | |
| University of North Carolina School of the Arts RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Winston Salem · Public | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,906 | 1,074 | |
| Manna University Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Fayetteville · Private nonprofit | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $15,210 | 230 | |
| Cabarrus College of Health Sciences RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Concord · Private nonprofit | A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,618 | 753 | |
| Carolinas College of Health Sciences RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Charlotte · Public | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | — | 410 | |
| Elon University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Elon · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $41,555 | 7,207 | |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Wilmington · Public | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,109 | 17,987 | |
| Appalachian State University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Boone · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $16,836 | 21,253 | |
| High Point University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. High Point · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $38,707 | 6,052 | |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Charlotte · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $15,435 | 30,298 | |
| Meredith College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.All-femaleAll-female: the school enrolls women only. Raleigh · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,488 | 1,576 | |
| Queens University of Charlotte RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Charlotte · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $30,857 | 1,846 | |
| East Carolina University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Greenville · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $15,739 | 26,785 | |
| Western Carolina University Cullowhee · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,315 | 11,628 | |
| University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,250 | 2,925 | |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $10,965 | 17,743 | |
| North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro · Public | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $10,846 | 13,885 | |
| Campbell University Buies Creek · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $24,516 | 5,115 | |
| Warren Wilson College Swannanoa · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $21,249 | 797 | |
| Salem College All-femaleAll-female: the school enrolls women only. Winston-Salem · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $18,277 | 519 | |
| Brevard College Brevard · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $23,509 | 787 | |
| Catawba College Salisbury · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,879 | 1,241 | |
| Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,674 | 3,125 | |
| William Peace University Raleigh · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $21,649 | 730 | |
| Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City · Public | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $6,364 | 2,165 | |
| Wingate University Wingate · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,748 | 3,322 | |
| University of Mount Olive Mount Olive · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $18,853 | 2,128 | |
| Belmont Abbey College Belmont · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $24,639 | 1,650 | |
| Methodist University Fayetteville · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $24,704 | 1,768 | |
| Johnson C Smith University Charlotte · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,894 | 1,102 | |
| Saint Augustine's University Raleigh · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $24,313 | 943 | |
| Carolina University Winston-Salem · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,828 | 893 | |
| Bennett College All-femaleAll-female: the school enrolls women only. Greensboro · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $28,299 | 195 | |
| Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,689 | 2,230 | |
| Greensboro College Greensboro · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,882 | 898 | |
| Mars Hill University Mars Hill · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,910 | 1,049 | |
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke · Public | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $10,260 | 7,630 | |
| Guilford College Greensboro · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,270 | 1,208 | |
| Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem · Public | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,479 | 4,776 | |
| Montreat College Montreat · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $27,061 | 932 | |
| Lees-McRae College Banner Elk · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $28,340 | 839 | |
| Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Charlotte · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $27,426 | 1,128 | |
| North Carolina Central University Durham · Public | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $15,359 | 7,965 | |
| Pfeiffer University Misenheimer · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,076 | 954 | |
| Livingstone College Salisbury · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,479 | 814 | |
| Barton College Wilson · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $23,626 | 1,259 | |
| Fayetteville State University Fayetteville · Public | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $7,892 | 6,847 | |
| Chowan University Murfreesboro · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,086 | 708 | |
| Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $18,328 | 177 | |
| North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,432 | 1,345 | |
| Shaw University Raleigh · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $16,512 | 962 | |
| St. Andrews University Laurinburg · Private nonprofit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 832 |
| Chamberlain University-North Carolina Charlotte · Private for-profit | — | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | $38,436 | 216 |
| Galen Health Institutes-Asheville Asheville · Private for-profit | — | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | $28,602 | 183 |
| Miller-Motte College-Wilmington Wilmington · Private for-profit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 152 |
| Watts College of Nursing Durham · Private nonprofit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 134 |
| South University-High Point High Point · Private for-profit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 70 |
Common questions
How many colleges are in North Carolina?
North Carolina has 61 accredited four-year colleges on College Compass Guide.
Which colleges in North Carolina are Compass Recommended?
Duke University, Davidson College, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Manna University, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, Carolinas College of Health Sciences, Elon University, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Appalachian State University, High Point University, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Meredith College, Queens University of Charlotte, East Carolina University. Recommended means the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value (how it works).