2026 Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in North Carolina? Our ranking highlights 163 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 129 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in North Carolina
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Wake Forest University this year in North Carolina. Located in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,642. Wake Forest University Nursing students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. See the full Wake Forest University profile
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A rank of #2 makes Duke University one of the top choices in North Carolina. Based in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Duke University
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You'll be in good company at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $15,117. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
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You'll be in good company at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $24,673. See the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte profile
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A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Greensboro one of the top choices in North Carolina. Based in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Greensboro report
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East Carolina University landed the #6 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. More on East Carolina University
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Winston Salem State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. Winston Salem State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Graduates carry a median of $27,653 in student loans. Get the full Winston Salem State University report
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University Of North Carolina At Wilmington did well this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Wilmington, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Graduates carry a median of $23,013 in student loans. See the full University Of North Carolina At Wilmington profile
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North Carolina A And T State University placed #9 among Nursing schools in North Carolina. Set in Greensboro, NC, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. North Carolina A And T State University Nursing students take on a median of $29,078 in debt. Get the full North Carolina A And T State University report
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Mount Olive College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Mount Olive, NC, Mount Olive College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 48% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $27,366. Typical Nursing student debt is $30,798. Read more about Mount Olive College
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Appalachian State University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Appalachian State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. The median Nursing program debt is $21,992. See the full Appalachian State University profile
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Western Carolina University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Western Carolina University is a public school based in Cullowhee, NC. Western Carolina University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete their Nursing program here. Get the full Western Carolina University report
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Fayetteville State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville State University is a public institution. Fayetteville State University graduates 38% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Fayetteville State University
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North Carolina Central University did well this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Durham, NC. About 42% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full North Carolina Central University profile
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Gaston College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Dallas, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Gaston College Nursing students take on a median of $10,915 in debt. Read more about Gaston College
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Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hickory, NC. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,900. Typical Nursing student debt is $26,900. Read more about Lenoir Rhyne University
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Lees Mcrae College placed #17 among Nursing schools in North Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Banner Elk, NC. About 42% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,850. Graduates carry a median of $19,821 in student loans. Get the full Lees Mcrae College report
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Central Piedmont Community College did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Get the full Central Piedmont Community College report
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Queens University Of Charlotte ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Charlotte, NC, Queens University Of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $45,846 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,245 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Queens University Of Charlotte profile
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Campbell University placed #20 among Nursing schools in North Carolina. Campbell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Buies Creek, NC. About 60% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,600. The median Nursing program debt is $23,641. Get the full Campbell University report
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Montgomery Community College placed #21 among Nursing schools in North Carolina. Montgomery Community College is a public school based in Troy, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,538, compared with $8,682 for out-of-state students. Get the full Montgomery Community College report
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Wingate University landed the #22 spot in North Carolina this year. Wingate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wingate, NC. Wingate University graduates 46% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,576. The median Nursing program debt is $25,556. See the full Wingate University profile
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Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #23 spot in North Carolina this year. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Forsyth Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,374. More on Forsyth Technical Community College
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Brunswick Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Bolivia, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,553, while out-of-state students pay about $8,697. The median Nursing program debt is $5,500. Read the full report on Brunswick Community College
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Barton College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wilson, NC. About 46% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,000. Typical Nursing student debt is $27,122. See the full Barton College profile
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Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
College Of The Albemarle placed #26 among Nursing schools in North Carolina. Set in Elizabeth City, NC, College Of The Albemarle is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $10,240. Read more about College Of The Albemarle
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Gardner Webb University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boiling Springs, NC. Gardner Webb University posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. Students from in state pay about $34,750 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Read the full report on Gardner Webb University
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Surry Community College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Dobson, NC, Surry Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. The median Nursing program debt is $9,537. See the full Surry Community College profile
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Craven Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Craven Community College is a public school based in New Bern, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. The median Nursing program debt is $8,924. Get the full Craven Community College report
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Mcdowell Technical Community College came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Set in Marion, NC, Mcdowell Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,032, with out-of-state students paying around $6,640. Get the full Mcdowell Technical Community College report
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Sampson Community College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Clinton, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $12,596. Read the full report on Sampson Community College
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South Piedmont Community College did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in Polkton, NC, South Piedmont Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,098 in student loans. Get the full South Piedmont Community College report
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Johnston Community College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Located in Smithfield, NC, Johnston Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Johnston Community College Nursing students take on a median of $9,490 in debt. More on Johnston Community College
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Richmond Community College landed the #34 spot in North Carolina this year. Located in Hamlet, NC, Richmond Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Typical Nursing student debt is $8,407. Read more about Richmond Community College
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Pfeiffer University landed the #35 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Misenheimer, NC, Pfeiffer University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $35,070 in tuition and fees. Pfeiffer University Nursing students take on a median of $26,375 in debt. More on Pfeiffer University
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University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #36 among Nursing schools in North Carolina. Located in Pembroke, NC, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $27,089. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Pembroke report
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Alamance Community College landed the #37 spot in North Carolina this year. Based in Graham, NC, Alamance Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Get the full Alamance Community College report
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Rowan Cabarrus Community College placed #38 among Nursing schools in North Carolina. Set in Salisbury, NC, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Get the full Rowan Cabarrus Community College report
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Wake Technical Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $17,900. More on Wake Technical Community College
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Pitt Community College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Winterville, NC, Pitt Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,871, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $19,741. Read the full report on Pitt Community College
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Central Carolina Community College placed #41 among Nursing schools in North Carolina. Central Carolina Community College is a public school based in Sanford, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical Nursing student debt is $10,266. See the full Central Carolina Community College profile
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Mars Hill College landed the #42 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Mars Hill, NC, Mars Hill College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $37,736 in tuition and fees. Mars Hill College Nursing students take on a median of $26,886 in debt. Read more about Mars Hill College
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Guilford Technical Community College landed the #43 spot in North Carolina this year. This public school is set in Jamestown, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $20,501. Read more about Guilford Technical Community College
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Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College came in at #44 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Asheville, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,882, while out-of-state students pay about $9,026. Typical Nursing student debt is $18,883. Read the full report on Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
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Durham Technical Community College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Durham, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Durham Technical Community College Nursing students take on a median of $20,408 in debt. See the full Durham Technical Community College profile
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Methodist University landed the #46 spot in North Carolina this year. Based in Fayetteville, NC, Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 43% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,250. The median Nursing program debt is $27,604. Read more about Methodist University
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Wilson Community College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Set in Wilson, NC, Wilson Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Wilson Community College Nursing students take on a median of $15,846 in debt. Get the full Wilson Community College report
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Cape Fear Community College placed #48 among Nursing schools in North Carolina. Located in Wilmington, NC, Cape Fear Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Cape Fear Community College
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Sandhills Community College ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Based in Pinehurst, NC, Sandhills Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Sandhills Community College Nursing students take on a median of $9,238 in debt. More on Sandhills Community College
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Cleveland Community College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Shelby, NC, Cleveland Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $7,131. See the full Cleveland Community College profile
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 129 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 163 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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