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Top Colleges in North Carolina

Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is a content editor and writer at Scholarships360. He has managed communications and written content for a diverse array of organizations, including a farmer’s market, a concert venue, a student farm, an environmental NGO, and a PR agency. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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Updated: November 14th, 2023

It’s no secret that North Carolina has some great options for college. With schools like Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest, North Carolina draws in students from all across the country every year. Check out the North Carolina colleges below to find the right fit for you.

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20 colleges
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Top College Top College

Duke University

Durham, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

Durham, NC

Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

6% acceptance rate
6,815 undergraduate students
96% graduation rate
$31,416 average per year after aid
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Top College Top College
Top College Top College: Affordability

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Public, City, Need-Blind

Chapel Hill, NC

Public, City, Need-Blind

20% acceptance rate
19,722 undergraduate students
90% graduation rate
$13,263 average per year after aid
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Top College Top College

Davidson College

Davidson, NC • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind

Davidson, NC

Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind

18% acceptance rate
1,970 undergraduate students
90% graduation rate
$17,057 average per year after aid
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Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

Winston-Salem, NC

Private, Non-Profit, City

25% acceptance rate
5,465 undergraduate students
90% graduation rate
$29,214 average per year after aid
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Top College Top College
Top College Top College: Affordability

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC • Public, City

Raleigh, NC

Public, City

47% acceptance rate
24,999 undergraduate students
84% graduation rate
$16,239 average per year after aid
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Top College Top College: Affordability

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC • Public, Town

Boone, NC

Public, Town

85% acceptance rate
18,486 undergraduate students
73% graduation rate
$13,897 average per year after aid
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Salem College

Winston-Salem, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

Winston-Salem, NC

Private, Non-Profit, City

90% acceptance rate
346 undergraduate students
67% graduation rate
$10,492 average per year after aid
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University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Winston Salem, NC • Public, City

Winston Salem, NC

Public, City

30% acceptance rate
935 undergraduate students
70% graduation rate
$13,097 average per year after aid
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Elon University

Elon, NC • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

Elon, NC

Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

78% acceptance rate
6,302 undergraduate students
83% graduation rate
$39,437 average per year after aid
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC • Public, City

Charlotte, NC

Public, City

79% acceptance rate
23,708 undergraduate students
66% graduation rate
$16,873 average per year after aid
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East Carolina University

Greenville, NC • Public, City

Greenville, NC

Public, City

94% acceptance rate
21,231 undergraduate students
66% graduation rate
$16,162 average per year after aid
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University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC • Public, City

Greensboro, NC

Public, City

91% acceptance rate
14,889 undergraduate students
58% graduation rate
$11,110 average per year after aid
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High Point University

High Point, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

High Point, NC

Private, Non-Profit, City

80% acceptance rate
4,871 undergraduate students
70% graduation rate
$39,317 average per year after aid
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Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, NC • Public, Town

Elizabeth City, NC

Public, Town

77% acceptance rate
1,807 undergraduate students
40% graduation rate
$4,060 average per year after aid
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Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC • Public, City

Winston-Salem, NC

Public, City

81% acceptance rate
4,581 undergraduate students
46% graduation rate
$13,435 average per year after aid
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University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, NC • Public, Town

Pembroke, NC

Public, Town

92% acceptance rate
6,179 undergraduate students
43% graduation rate
$11,160 average per year after aid
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Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC • Public, City

Fayetteville, NC

Public, City

82% acceptance rate
4,986 undergraduate students
37% graduation rate
$6,623 average per year after aid
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North Carolina Wesleyan University

Rocky Mount, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

Rocky Mount, NC

Private, Non-Profit, City

28% acceptance rate
1,362 undergraduate students
40% graduation rate
$18,119 average per year after aid
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Mars Hill University

Mars Hill, NC • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

Mars Hill, NC

Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

80% acceptance rate
1,018 undergraduate students
34% graduation rate
$19,513 average per year after aid
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Saint Augustine's University

Raleigh, NC • Private, Non-Profit, City

Raleigh, NC

Private, Non-Profit, City

75% acceptance rate
1,239 undergraduate students
22% graduation rate
$18,047 average per year after aid
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It’s no secret that North Carolina has some great options for college. With schools like Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest, North Carolina draws in students from all across the country every year. Check out the North Carolina colleges below to find the right fit for you.

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