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Most Popular Online Nursing Schools in North Carolina

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2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Schools in North Carolina

19 Colleges
$65,879 Avg Salary
$19,587 Avg Student Debt

Nursing is the most popular major in North Carolina with 7,425 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.

With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

The Most Popular Online Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 19 schools in North Carolina to see which ones were the most popular online programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Online Nursing Colleges.

#1

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC

Our analysis found East Carolina University to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue an online degree in North Carolina. Located in the small city of Greenville, ECU is a public college with a very large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at ECU accumulate an average of around $26,000 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $261.

Read full report on Nursing at East Carolina University

Out of the 19 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the # 2 spot on the list. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Greensboro.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UNC Greensboro take out is $22,250. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $151.

Read full report on Nursing at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

#3

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Winston - Salem State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Located in the medium-sized city of Winston-Salem, WSSU is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at WSSU take out is $24,946. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $135.

Full Nursing at Winston - Salem State University Report

#4

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Fayetteville State University is a great place for nursing students pursuing an online degree. Fayetteville State University is a medium-sized public school located in the medium-sized city of Fayetteville.

On average, nursing graduates from Fayetteville State University take out $22,125 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at Fayetteville State University

The excellent online programs at University of North Carolina at Charlotte helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in North Carolina. UNC Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at UNC Charlotte accumulate an average of around $23,828 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $166, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at University of North Carolina at Charlotte Report

Western Carolina University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. WCU is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Cullowhee.

Nursing majors at WCU take out an average of $23,614 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $215.

Read full report on Nursing at Western Carolina University

North Carolina Central University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at North Carolina Central University take out is $40,658. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $197.

Read full report on Nursing at North Carolina Central University

North Carolina A & T State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list. NC A&T is a fairly large public school located in the city of Greensboro.

On average, nursing graduates from NC A&T take out $30,303 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at North Carolina A & T State University

Carolinas College of Health Sciences landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the city of Charlotte, Carolinas College of Health Sciences is a public school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Carolinas College of Health Sciences carry an average student debtload of $23,000.

Read More…

#10

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, NC

University of Mount Olive came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. UMO is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Mount Olive.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at UMO accumulate an average of around $25,000 in student debt.

Read More…

Best Nursing Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Most Popular Nursing Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Mississippi 2,838
Alabama 7,364
Kentucky 6,395
Tennessee 6,004
Louisiana 3,502
Florida 21,209
Arkansas 2,882
Georgia 7,112
West Virginia 1,771
South Carolina 3,296
Virginia 6,775

More Nursing Rankings in North Carolina

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 266,651
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 16,104
Nursing Administration 9,838
Nursing Practice 7,992
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 5,092
Nursing Science 4,600
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 2,287
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 2,021
Nurse Anesthetist 1,936
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing 1,883
Critical Care Nursing 773
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing 563
School Nursing 553
Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery 509
Clinical Nurse Leader 444
Clinical Nurse Specialist 419
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing 331
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing 181
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing 57
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing 53
Palliative Care Nursing 14
Forensic Nursing 14

Related Major Annual Graduates
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 19 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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