Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
104 accredited institutions in North Carolina offering education programs, ranked by annual graduates (IPEDS 2023–24).
104
Colleges
12,975
Graduates/yr
71
Public
Bachelor's
Top Degree
Ranked: Education Programs in North Carolina
1
PublicBachelor's
Appalachian State University
Boone
1,143
Graduates/yr
89%
Acceptance
$4,242
In-State Tuition
73%
Grad Rate
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2
PublicBachelor's
East Carolina University
Greenville
1,059
Graduates/yr
90%
Acceptance
$4,452
In-State Tuition
62%
Grad Rate
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3
PublicMaster's
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte
993
Graduates/yr
80%
Acceptance
$3,812
In-State Tuition
68%
Grad Rate
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4
PublicMaster's
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh
933
Graduates/yr
40%
Acceptance
$6,535
In-State Tuition
85%
Grad Rate
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5
PublicBachelor's
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee
723
Graduates/yr
87%
Acceptance
$1,000
In-State Tuition
59%
Grad Rate
View →
6
PublicMaster's
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke
678
Graduates/yr
92%
Acceptance
$1,000
In-State Tuition
45%
Grad Rate
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7
Private NonprofitMaster's
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs
624
Graduates/yr
87%
Acceptance
$32,470
Tuition
60%
Grad Rate
$17,642
Net Price <$30K
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8
PublicBachelor's
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro
540
Graduates/yr
90%
Acceptance
$4,422
In-State Tuition
58%
Grad Rate
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9
PublicMaster's
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington
477
Graduates/yr
74%
Acceptance
$4,443
In-State Tuition
71%
Grad Rate
View →
10
PublicMaster's
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill
456
Graduates/yr
19%
Acceptance
$7,019
In-State Tuition
92%
Grad Rate
View →
11
Private NonprofitMaster's
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem
369
Graduates/yr
22%
Acceptance
$63,608
Tuition
91%
Grad Rate
$12,795
Net Price <$30K
View →
12
PublicMaster's
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro
309
Graduates/yr
46%
Acceptance
$3,540
In-State Tuition
55%
Grad Rate
View →
13
Private NonprofitBachelor's
University of Mount Olive
Mount Olive
252
Graduates/yr
78%
Acceptance
$24,850
Tuition
46%
Grad Rate
$15,882
Net Price <$30K
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14
PublicMaster's
North Carolina Central University
Durham
243
Graduates/yr
90%
Acceptance
$3,728
In-State Tuition
46%
Grad Rate
View →
15
Private NonprofitMaster's
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte
198
Graduates/yr
68%
Acceptance
$40,790
Tuition
66%
Grad Rate
$23,594
Net Price <$30K
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16
PublicMaster's
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville
195
Graduates/yr
80%
Acceptance
$1,000
In-State Tuition
35%
Grad Rate
View →
17
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Elon University
Elon
141
Graduates/yr
67%
Acceptance
$44,029
Tuition
83%
Grad Rate
$22,319
Net Price <$30K
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18
PublicAssociate's
Stanly Community College
Albemarle
135
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
19
PublicBachelor's
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem
135
Graduates/yr
69%
Acceptance
$3,401
In-State Tuition
49%
Grad Rate
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20
PublicAssociate's
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte
126
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
21
Private NonprofitMaster's
Greensboro College
Greensboro
123
Graduates/yr
92%
Acceptance
$20,300
Tuition
41%
Grad Rate
$15,725
Net Price <$30K
View →
22
Private NonprofitMaster's
High Point University
High Point
120
Graduates/yr
77%
Acceptance
$38,748
Tuition
69%
Grad Rate
$31,039
Net Price <$30K
View →
23
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Wingate University
Wingate
120
Graduates/yr
85%
Acceptance
$41,631
Tuition
47%
Grad Rate
$15,847
Net Price <$30K
View →
24
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Campbell University
Buies Creek
111
Graduates/yr
94%
Acceptance
$37,750
Tuition
55%
Grad Rate
$19,337
Net Price <$30K
View →
25
PublicAssociate's
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury
111
Graduates/yr
$1,824
In-State Tuition
View →
26
PublicAssociate's
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh
102
Graduates/yr
$2,076
In-State Tuition
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27
Private NonprofitMaster's
Salem College
Winston-Salem
99
Graduates/yr
87%
Acceptance
$32,236
Tuition
56%
Grad Rate
$14,974
Net Price <$30K
View →
28
PublicMaster's
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City
93
Graduates/yr
70%
Acceptance
$1,000
In-State Tuition
48%
Grad Rate
View →
29
PublicAssociate's
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville
90
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
30
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Catawba College
Salisbury
84
Graduates/yr
78%
Acceptance
$33,400
Tuition
52%
Grad Rate
$15,793
Net Price <$30K
View →
31
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory
81
Graduates/yr
81%
Acceptance
$30,000
Tuition
51%
Grad Rate
$21,606
Net Price <$30K
View →
32
PublicAssociate's
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown
69
Graduates/yr
$2,128
In-State Tuition
View →
33
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Lees-McRae College
Banner Elk
66
Graduates/yr
81%
Acceptance
$28,790
Tuition
44%
Grad Rate
$17,535
Net Price <$30K
View →
34
PublicAssociate's
Pitt Community College
Winterville
66
Graduates/yr
$1,824
In-State Tuition
View →
35
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer
60
Graduates/yr
95%
Acceptance
$32,580
Tuition
43%
Grad Rate
$19,384
Net Price <$30K
View →
36
PublicAssociate's
Haywood Community College
Clyde
60
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
37
PublicAssociate's
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem
57
Graduates/yr
$1,824
In-State Tuition
View →
38
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Duke University
Durham
51
Graduates/yr
7%
Acceptance
$63,450
Tuition
96%
Grad Rate
$3,931
Net Price <$30K
View →
39
PublicAssociate's
Sandhills Community College
Pinehurst
51
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
40
PublicAssociate's
Central Carolina Community College
Sanford
48
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
41
PublicAssociate's
Durham Technical Community College
Durham
48
Graduates/yr
$2,128
In-State Tuition
View →
42
PublicAssociate's
Southwestern Community College
Sylva
48
Graduates/yr
$5,472
In-State Tuition
View →
43
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Guilford College
Greensboro
48
Graduates/yr
84%
Acceptance
$40,400
Tuition
48%
Grad Rate
$20,697
Net Price <$30K
View →
44
PublicAssociate's
Wilson Community College
Wilson
45
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
45
PublicAssociate's
Blue Ridge Community College
Flat Rock
45
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
46
PublicAssociate's
Edgecombe Community College
Tarboro
45
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
47
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont
45
Graduates/yr
90%
Acceptance
$19,500
Tuition
46%
Grad Rate
$17,915
Net Price <$30K
View →
48
PublicAssociate's
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Asheville
42
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
49
PublicAssociate's
Alamance Community College
Graham
42
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
50
PublicAssociate's
Cleveland Community College
Shelby
42
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
51
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Mars Hill University
Mars Hill
42
Graduates/yr
78%
Acceptance
$37,270
Tuition
42%
Grad Rate
$15,963
Net Price <$30K
View →
52
PublicAssociate's
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Hudson
39
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
53
PublicAssociate's
Isothermal Community College
Spindale
39
Graduates/yr
$1,824
In-State Tuition
View →
54
PublicAssociate's
Randolph Community College
Asheboro
39
Graduates/yr
$2,280
In-State Tuition
View →
55
PublicAssociate's
Vance-Granville Community College
Henderson
39
Graduates/yr
$1,824
In-State Tuition
View →
56
PublicAssociate's
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro
39
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
57
Private NonprofitBachelor's
St. Andrews University
Laurinburg
36
Graduates/yr
$29,400
Tuition
26%
Grad Rate
$29,371
Net Price <$30K
View →
58
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Methodist University
Fayetteville
36
Graduates/yr
75%
Acceptance
$38,936
Tuition
40%
Grad Rate
$24,418
Net Price <$30K
View →
59
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Barton College
Wilson
36
Graduates/yr
96%
Acceptance
$35,600
Tuition
52%
Grad Rate
$19,973
Net Price <$30K
View →
60
PublicAssociate's
Johnston Community College
Smithfield
36
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
61
Private NonprofitMaster's
Chowan University
Murfreesboro
36
Graduates/yr
72%
Acceptance
$27,110
Tuition
29%
Grad Rate
$14,953
Net Price <$30K
View →
62
Private NonprofitMaster's
Meredith College
Raleigh
33
Graduates/yr
75%
Acceptance
$43,816
Tuition
65%
Grad Rate
$15,404
Net Price <$30K
View →
63
PublicAssociate's
Piedmont Community College
Roxboro
33
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
64
PublicAssociate's
Southeastern Community College
Whiteville
30
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
65
PublicAssociate's
Coastal Carolina Community College
Jacksonville
27
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
66
PublicAssociate's
South Piedmont Community College
Polkton
27
Graduates/yr
$1,824
In-State Tuition
View →
67
PublicAssociate's
Robeson Community College
Lumberton
27
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
68
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Montreat College
Montreat
24
Graduates/yr
66%
Acceptance
$31,460
Tuition
41%
Grad Rate
$20,689
Net Price <$30K
View →
69
PublicAssociate's
Bladen Community College
Dublin
24
Graduates/yr
$2,128
In-State Tuition
View →
70
PublicAssociate's
James Sprunt Community College
Kenansville
24
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
71
PublicAssociate's
Richmond Community College
Hamlet
24
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
72
PublicAssociate's
Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory
24
Graduates/yr
$2,128
In-State Tuition
View →
73
PublicAssociate's
Surry Community College
Dobson
24
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
74
Private NonprofitMaster's
Shaw University
Raleigh
21
Graduates/yr
30%
Acceptance
$12,408
Tuition
20%
Grad Rate
$14,584
Net Price <$30K
View →
75
PublicAssociate's
Craven Community College
New Bern
21
Graduates/yr
$1,824
In-State Tuition
View →
76
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Brevard College
Brevard
21
Graduates/yr
40%
Acceptance
$29,400
Tuition
39%
Grad Rate
$17,716
Net Price <$30K
View →
77
PublicAssociate's
Gaston College
Dallas
21
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
78
PublicAssociate's
Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro
18
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
79
PublicAssociate's
Western Piedmont Community College
Morganton
18
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
80
PublicAssociate's
Davidson-Davie Community College
Thomasville
18
Graduates/yr
$2,125
In-State Tuition
View →
81
PublicAssociate's
Nash Community College
Rocky Mount
18
Graduates/yr
$2,600
In-State Tuition
View →
82
PublicAssociate's
Beaufort County Community College
Washington
15
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
83
PublicAssociate's
McDowell Technical Community College
Marion
15
Graduates/yr
$1,824
In-State Tuition
View →
84
Private NonprofitBachelor's
North Carolina Wesleyan University
Rocky Mount
15
Graduates/yr
78%
Acceptance
$34,936
Tuition
39%
Grad Rate
$15,577
Net Price <$30K
View →
85
Private NonprofitBachelor's
William Peace University
Raleigh
15
Graduates/yr
97%
Acceptance
$32,550
Tuition
44%
Grad Rate
$21,009
Net Price <$30K
View →
86
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Davidson College
Davidson
15
Graduates/yr
14%
Acceptance
$59,510
Tuition
92%
Grad Rate
$7,547
Net Price <$30K
View →
87
PublicAssociate's
Brunswick Community College
Bolivia
15
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
88
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College
Wendell
15
Graduates/yr
$10,350
Tuition
55%
Grad Rate
$13,616
Net Price <$30K
View →
89
PublicAssociate's
Halifax Community College
Weldon
12
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
90
PublicAssociate's
Montgomery Community College
Troy
12
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
91
PublicAssociate's
Sampson Community College
Clinton
12
Graduates/yr
$3,116
In-State Tuition
View →
92
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Livingstone College
Salisbury
12
Graduates/yr
74%
Acceptance
$15,917
Tuition
24%
Grad Rate
$16,780
Net Price <$30K
View →
93
PublicAssociate's
Tri-County Community College
Murphy
12
Graduates/yr
$2,304
In-State Tuition
View →
94
PublicAssociate's
College of the Albemarle
Elizabeth City
9
Graduates/yr
$2,102
In-State Tuition
View →
95
PublicAssociate's
Rockingham Community College
Wentworth
9
Graduates/yr
$1,824
In-State Tuition
View →
96
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Elizabeth City
9
Graduates/yr
76%
Acceptance
$16,200
Tuition
43%
Grad Rate
$19,658
Net Price <$30K
View →
97
PublicAssociate's
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington
9
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
98
PublicAssociate's
Lenoir Community College
Kinston
9
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
99
PublicAssociate's
Carteret Community College
Morehead City
6
Graduates/yr
$2,128
In-State Tuition
View →
100
Private NonprofitBachelor's
Bennett College
Greensboro
6
Graduates/yr
34%
Acceptance
$16,640
Tuition
21%
Grad Rate
$21,419
Net Price <$30K
View →
101
PublicAssociate's
Martin Community College
Williamston
6
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
102
PublicAssociate's
Mitchell Community College
Statesville
6
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
103
PublicAssociate's
Roanoke-Chowan Community College
Ahoskie
3
Graduates/yr
$2,432
In-State Tuition
View →
104
PublicAssociate's
Pamlico Community College
Grantsboro
3
Graduates/yr
$1,824
In-State Tuition
View →
Studying Education in North Carolina
North Carolina has 104 accredited colleges offering education programs, producing 12,975 graduates annually. Of these, 71 are public institutions with subsidized in-state tuition for North Carolina residents.
When evaluating programs, consider accreditation, internship placement rates, and faculty expertise. Always file the FAFSA — the net price after grants can be dramatically lower than sticker tuition, especially at public institutions.
Other Programs in North Carolina
Communications TechnologyComputer SciencePersonal & Culinary ServicesEngineeringEngineering TechnologyForeign LanguagesFamily & Consumer SciencesLegal Studies / Pre-LawEnglishLiberal ArtsLibrary ScienceBiologyMathematics & StatisticsMilitary ScienceInterdisciplinary StudiesParks & RecreationPhilosophy & Religious StudiesTheology & MinistryPhysical SciencesScience Technology
Data source: Graduate counts from IPEDS 2023–24 C2023_A Completions survey (NCES). Tuition, acceptance rate, and graduation rate from IPEDS HD2023, ADM2023, DRVGR2023.