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North Carolina Colleges

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North Carolina Nursing Colleges

90 Colleges
$39,116 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$27,491 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

North Carolina ranked #12 in the nation for nursing degrees handed out in 2021. Around 7,425 students received some type of diploma that year. The average in-state tuition for students attending college in North Carolina is $9,779 a year, while the average out-of-state tuition is $15,123 a year.

An estimated 34% of college students in North Carolina take out loans, with the average loan amount being $6,873 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

#1

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$7,238 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
49% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at University of North Carolina at Wilmington is 17,915, of which 14,650 students are undergraduates and of those, 11,989 are full-time. It takes the average UNCW undergraduate about 4.2 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 68%. Of the accepted students, 32% are men and 68% are women.

Roughly 49% of students at UNCW take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $7,895 a year. UNCW has a 1.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from UNCW is $44,324.

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$62,688 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
20% Freshmen Loans

There are 16,172 students at Duke in total, 6,717 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 6,572 are full-time. Students tend to stick around at Duke. The freshman retention rate is 98%.

This a very selective school with only 6% of students getting accepted. Of the accepted students, 45% are men and 55% are women.

Approximately 20% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $7,590 a year. The student loan default rate of 0.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Duke is $82,232.

#3

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$7,325 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
53% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at East Carolina University is 28,798, of which 23,056 students are undergraduates and of those, 18,886 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

Around 94% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 36% are men and 64% are women.

Roughly 53% of students at ECU take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $7,134 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.7% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from ECU with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $43,995 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#4

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$7,498 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
58% Freshmen Loans

There are 15,995 undergraduates at UNC Greensboro, of which 13,391 are full-time, and there are 19,764 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

Around 91% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 32% are men and 68% are women.

Approximately 58% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $5,934 a year. UNC Greensboro has a 2.7% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from UNC Greensboro is $38,795.

#5

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$6,276 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
79% Freshmen Loans

There are 4,689 undergraduates at WSSU, of which 4,033 are full-time, and there are 5,169 students altogether. It takes the average WSSU undergraduate about 4.6 years to complete their degree.

About 81% of students who apply get accepted. Around 25% of accepted students are men, and 75% are women.

Roughly 79% of students at WSSU take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $6,378 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 5.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from WSSU is $37,148.

#6

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$7,214 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
50% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at University of North Carolina at Charlotte is 30,146, of which 24,175 students are undergraduates and of those, 21,104 are full-time. For undergraduates at UNC Charlotte, the average graduation time is 4.5 years.

About 79% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 42% are men and 58% are women.

Approximately 50% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $7,202 a year. UNC Charlotte has a 1.7% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $44,858 during the early-career years.

#7

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$4,453 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
57% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Western Carolina University is 12,243, of which 10,517 students are undergraduates and of those, 8,760 are full-time. For undergraduates at WCU, the average graduation time is 4.4 years.

About 79% of students who apply get accepted. Around 38% of accepted students are men, and 62% are women.

Approximately 57% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $6,242 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.3% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $39,995 during the early-career years.

#8

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$3,906 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
50% Freshmen Loans

There are 6,726 students at Fayetteville State University in total, 5,661 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 3,959 are full-time. It takes the average Fayetteville State University undergraduate about 4.7 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 82%. Around 28% of accepted students are men, and 72% are women.

Approximately 50% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $5,480 a year. Fayetteville State University has a 6.0% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Fayetteville State University is $33,500.

#9

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$8,989 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
19% Freshmen Loans

There are 30,092 students at UNC Chapel Hill in total, 19,395 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 18,505 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

The acceptance rate at UNC Chapel Hill is 20%, making it one of the most selective schools in the country. Around 39% of accepted students are men, and 61% are women.

Approximately 19% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,501 a year. The student loan default rate of 0.9% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $52,831 during the early-career years.

#10

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$40,830 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
92% Freshmen Loans

There are 2,338 students at Queens in total, 1,670 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 1,535 are full-time. It takes the average Queens undergraduate about 4.2 years to complete their degree.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 69%. Of the accepted students, 27% are men and 73% are women.

Roughly 92% of students at Queens take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $7,955 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 0.9% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Queens is $43,145.

#11

Gardner - Webb University

Boiling Springs, North Carolina
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$32,200 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
64% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Gardner - Webb University is 3,536, of which 2,071 students are undergraduates and of those, 1,726 are full-time. For undergraduates at Gardner - Webb, the average graduation time is 4.2 years.

About 79% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 39% are men and 61% are women.

Approximately 64% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $7,510 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.8% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Gardner - Webb with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $40,409 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#12

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$7,450 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
46% Freshmen Loans

There are 18,061 undergraduates at Appalachian State, of which 16,905 are full-time, and there are 20,023 students altogether. It takes the average Appalachian State undergraduate about 4.3 years to complete their degree.

About 85% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 39% are men and 61% are women.

Roughly 46% of students at Appalachian State take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $6,810 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.3% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Appalachian State is $41,309.

#13

Carolinas College of Health Sciences

Charlotte, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$16,179 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 94 full-time undergraduates at Carolinas College of Health Sciences, and 514 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.

About 61% of students who apply get accepted.

Carolinas College of Health Sciences has a 1.1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Carolinas College of Health Sciences is $58,235.

#14

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,768 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
19% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Wake Technical Community College is 21,760, which includes 6,944 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

19% of Wake Technical Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $4,617 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Wake Technical Community College is $33,317.

#15

Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,152 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
17% Freshmen Loans

There are 7,587 students at Forsyth Tech in total, 2,712 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.

Roughly 17% of students at Forsyth Tech take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $3,795 a year. Forsyth Tech has a 3.9% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Forsyth Tech is $28,637.

#16

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$1,940 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
12% Freshmen Loans

There are 3,031 full-time undergraduates at Pitt Community College, and 7,688 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Roughly 12% of students at Pitt Community College take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $6,366 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 6.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Pitt Community College is $29,200.

Public Public vs. Private
$2,832 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
6% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,916 full-time undergraduates at A-B Tech, and 6,601 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.

Roughly 6% of students at A-B Tech take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,730 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 5.9% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from A-B Tech is $30,001.

#17

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,792 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
1% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Central Piedmont Community College is 16,668, which includes 6,367 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

Approximately 1% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,499 a year. Central Piedmont Community College has a 2.2% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

Students who graduate from Central Piedmont Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $30,895 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#19

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$3,495 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
55% Freshmen Loans

There are 8,262 students at UNC Pembroke in total, 6,436 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 4,945 are full-time. It takes the average UNC Pembroke undergraduate about 4.5 years to complete their degree.

Around 92% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 36% are men and 64% are women.

55% of UNC Pembroke students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $5,275 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 5.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from UNC Pembroke with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $35,126 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#20

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

Concord, North Carolina
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$15,560 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
90% Freshmen Loans

There are 526 students at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in total, 452 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 159 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 46%. Around 4% of accepted students are men, and 96% are women.

90% of Cabarrus College of Health Sciences students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $6,944 a year. The student loan default rate of 1.0% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is $50,288.

#21

Lenoir - Rhyne University

Hickory, North Carolina
Private not-for-profit Public vs. Private
$43,000 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
71% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Lenoir - Rhyne University is 2,686, of which 1,783 students are undergraduates and of those, 1,566 are full-time. It takes the average Lenoir - Rhyne University undergraduate about 4.2 years to complete their degree.

Around 86% of students who apply get accepted. Of the accepted students, 39% are men and 61% are women.

Roughly 71% of students at Lenoir - Rhyne University take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $6,974 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $40,829 during the early-career years.

#22

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Salisbury, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,024 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
1% Freshmen Loans

There are 2,143 full-time undergraduates at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, and 7,109 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Approximately 1% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $4,140 a year. The student loan default rate of 2.3% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $28,437 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#23

Davidson County Community College

Thomasville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,208 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
14% Freshmen Loans

There are 3,765 students at DCCC in total, 1,537 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

14% of DCCC students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $7,024 a year. The student loan default rate of 5.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from DCCC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $30,350 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#24

North Carolina Central University

Durham, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$6,599 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
67% Freshmen Loans

There are 8,078 students at North Carolina Central University in total, 6,067 of which are undergraduates, and of those, 4,962 are full-time. The average graduation time for an undergraduate student at North Carolina Central University is 4.6 years.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 76%. Of the accepted students, 29% are men and 71% are women.

67% of North Carolina Central University students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,211 a year. North Carolina Central University has a 4.1% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $33,054 during the early-career years.

#25

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$3,186 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 5,345 students at Gaston College in total, 1,230 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

Students who graduate from Gaston College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $29,346 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Other North Carolina Colleges

Rank School Yearly Graduations
26 Cape Fear Community College 69
27 Fayetteville Technical Community College 68
28 Guilford Technical Community College 64
29 North Carolina A & T State University 62
30 Sandhills Community College 60
31 Wilson Community College 52
31 Barton College 52
33 Catawba Valley Community College 50
33 Mitchell Community College 50
35 Chamberlain University - North Carolina 47
35 Vance-Granville Community College 47
35 Surry Community College 47
38 Johnston Community College 46
39 Southeastern Community College 45
40 Campbell University 44
41 Craven Community College 43
42 Bladen Community College 39
42 Lenoir Community College 39
42 Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute 39
45 Richmond Community College 38
45 Wayne Community College 38
47 College of the Albemarle 37
48 Robeson Community College 36
48 Sampson Community College 36
50 Wake Forest University 34
50 Rockingham Community College 34
52 University of Mount Olive 32
52 Coastal Carolina Community College 32
52 Durham Technical Community College 32
52 Beaufort County Community College 32
56 Piedmont Community College 31
57 Lees - McRae College 29
57 Western Piedmont Community College 29
57 Wilkes Community College 29
60 Blue Ridge Community College 27
60 Wingate University 27
62 Isothermal Community College 26
62 Brunswick Community College 26
64 McDowell Technical Community College 24
65 Catawba College 23
66 Southwestern Community College 22
66 Nash Community College 22
68 Tri-County Community College 21
68 Carteret Community College 21
70 Stanly Community College 20
70 Alamance Community College 20
70 James Sprunt Community College 20
73 Haywood Community College 19
73 Cleveland Community College 19
73 South Piedmont Community College 19
73 Pfeiffer University 19
73 Halifax Community College 19
78 Edgecombe Community College 17
79 Mars Hill University 16
79 Mayland Community College 16
81 William Peace University 14
81 Methodist University 14
83 Central Carolina Community College 13
84 Roanoke-Chowan Community College 10
85 Randolph Community College 7
86 Montgomery Community College 4
87 Watts School of Nursing 0
87 Belmont Abbey College 0
87 South University, High Point 0
87 North Carolina Wesleyan College 0

References

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