POPULATION (2021): 10.5 million
CAPITAL: Raleigh
LARGEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN NORTH CAROLINA: North Carolina State University
LARGEST PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN NORTH CAROLINA: Duke University
North Carolina is a southern state whose landscapes vary greatly from the mountains in the western part of the state to some of the most popular Atlantic Coast beaches in the country to the east. There are also quite a few large cities, hence the state’s large population relative to some of its neighbors in the southeastern part of the country.
The college system is also pretty diverse, with both public and private universities that offer students in North Carolina different experiences. Students from all over the state make their way to the beaches in the springtime, but in the winter months, students tend to stay around their campuses and enjoy the cool weather with friends, music, and sports. North Carolina is the home of Michael Jordan (the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill), and to say basketball is popular would certainly be an understatement. Music and southern hospitality are also in abundance in the Tar Heel State.
Universities in North Carolina – 4-Year Colleges and Online
The cost of living in North Carolina is very low, which, in addition to the weather, makes it a very popular destination for college students applying from out of state. In-state students have even more options, with an affordable community college system in place in addition to many public and private 4-year colleges and universities. Here is a look!
Public Universities in North Carolina
The University of North Carolina system is the largest in the state, with 4 of the 6 campuses serving more than 10,000 students. The biggest state school, however, is North Carolina State University, which is located in the capital city of Raleigh and has more than 35,000 students enrolled. Here is a list of all of the public universities in North Carolina that offer 4-year degrees, with the city in parentheses:
- NC State University (Raleigh)
- UNC Chapel Hill
- UNC Charlotte
- East Carolina University (Greenville)
- UNC Greensboro
- Appalachian State University (Boone)
- UNC Wilmington
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (Greensboro)
- Western Carolina University (Cullowhee)
- NC Central University (Durham)
- UNC Pembroke
- Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville)
- Winston-Salem State University
- UNC Asheville
- Elizabeth City State University
- UNC School of the Arts (Winston-Salem)
Private Universities in North Carolina
With much thanks to one of the most prolific basketball programs in the history of college sports, Duke University is arguably the most recognizable name when it comes to private universities in North Carolina. It is also the largest, by enrollment, but there are several other private colleges in North Carolina, and here are some of the other prominent ones:
- Wake Forest University
- Elon University (Winston-Salem)
- Campbell University (Buies Creek)
- High Point University (High Point)
- Wingate University (Wingate, Charlotte, Hendersonville)
- Garner-Webb University (Boiling Springs)
Community Colleges in North Carolina
In addition to offering residents several affordable 4-year state schools, there is a robust network of community colleges as well. Here they are:
- Alamance Community College
- Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community College
- Beaufort County Community College
- Bladen Community College
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Brunswick Community College
- Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
- Cape Fear Community College
- Carteret Community College
- Catawba Valley Community College
- Central Carolina Community College
- Central Piedmont Community College
- Cleveland Community College
- College of the Albemarle
- Coastal Carolina Community College
- Craven Community College
- Davidson County Community College
- Durham Technical Community College
- Edgecombe Community College
- Fayetteville Technical Community College
- Forsyth Technical Community College
- Gaston College
- Guilford Technical Community College
- Halifax Community College
- Haywood Community College
- Isothermal Community College
- James Sprunt Community College
- Johnston Community College
- Lenoir Community College
- Louisburg College
- Martin Community College
- Mayland Community College
- McDowell Technical Community College
- Mitchell Community College
- Montgomery Community College
- Nash Community College
- Pamlico Community College
- Piedmont Community College
- Pitt Community College
- Randolph Community College
- Richmond Community College
- Roanoke–Chowan Community College
- Robeson Community College
- Rockingham Community College
- Rowan–Cabarrus Community College
- Sandhills Community College
- Sampson Community College
- South Piedmont Community College
- Southeastern Community College
- Southwestern Community College
- Stanly Community College
- Surry Community College
- Tri-County Community College
- Vance–Granville Community College
- Wake Technical Community College
- Wayne Community College
- Western Piedmont Community College
- Wilkes Community College
- Wilson Community College
Prominent Online Colleges in North Carolina
Both North Carolina State University and the UNC schools offer most of their degree programs in a hybrid learning setting, with some in-class work required, but many classes online. Appalachian State, East Carolina University, Fayetteville State, and several of other public universities follow a similar mold. As far as private universities, Campbell University and Duke University both have high rankings from students for their online offerings.
Universities in Charlotte, NC
Charlotte is the biggest city in the state and brings with it a lot of options for entertainment, food, and internships/employment. It also means a lot of options for college, and here is a list of the 4-year universities found inside the city limits of Charlotte:
- Carolinas College of Health Science
- Chamberlain University
- Charlotte Christian College
- DeVry University-North Carolina
- Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
- Johnson C Smith University
- Queens University of Charlotte
- UNC Charlotte
Universities in Durham, NC
Durham is a growing city known for a “cool” feel and a very accommodating group of locals, especially for younger people, especially those at Duke University and North Carolina Central University, the two 4-year colleges in Durham.
Universities in Raleigh, NC
Capital cities often have a high number of colleges, and Raleigh is no exception, at least relative to its size. Meredith College, Shaw University, Platt College, and Living Arts College are all located in Raleigh, as is the biggest public university in North Carolina, North Carolina State University.
Universities in Winston/Salem, NC
One of the other growing cities in North Carolina, Winston/Salem is an attractive place for young people and has two, 4-year colleges in the Carolina Christian College and the University of North Carolina’s School of the Arts
Get to Know North Carolina
North Carolina is a very welcoming place that likes its residents and visitors to have a good time. The beaches are popular, with each having a slightly different personality, some more suited for college-aged people than others. Golf is also extremely popular, and a few colleges offer degree programs specific to the golf industry. Hiking and camping are also popular, and both can be done year-round thanks to the mild winters.