North Carolina maintains 127 degree-granting institutions of higher education and sees more than 120,000 people graduate each year from state universities, private colleges, and community colleges. Since the pandemic, North Carolina has passed extensive legislation that may have helped increase enrollment and lower college cost rates.
In the guide below, we'll use information from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to explore North Carolina's top colleges, online learning in the state, and how to save money on tuition.
Our data-derived list of top online schools in North Carolina, ranked by tuition cost, can help you find the right program. You can explore which schools offer online education and what majors you might pursue.
Recommended Reading
Overview of Online Colleges in North Carolina
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in North Carolina
North Carolina has 133 post-secondary institutions, comprising 75 public, 49 nonprofit, and nine for-profit schools. Of these institutions, 75 public schools include 17 four-year universities and 58 community colleges. North Carolina has enrolled over 500,000 students in its institutions annually since 2010.[dataviz-stats public="75" non-profit="49" for-profit="9"]According to NCES, North Carolina students in public, two-year schools, such as community colleges, pay $2,527 in tuition and fees annually. This rate is much lower than the average of other states, which falls around $3,598 for tuition and fees for in-state learners. At public, four-year schools, North Carolina residents pay an average of $7,327 each year.To help with these costs, North Carolina has provided more than $214 million in need-based aid to students attending their schools and over $3 million in non-need-based aid, which includes their National Guide Tuition Assistance Program and a School of Science and Math Tuition Grant.
Higher Education in North Carolina
The State of Online Higher Education in North Carolina
Many states, including North Carolina, use distance education programs to reach students who cannot attend on-campus classes due to distance or busy professional lives. The 2019 Distance Education State Almanac ranked North Carolina ninth in total student enrollment at 568,563 students and 19th in the percentage of students exclusively taking online courses at 108,551.This number includes undergraduate and graduate students, with 243,382 undergraduates enrolled in at least one online course. In addition, approximately 90% of the state's distance education learners live in-state, with just 9% of out-of-state residents taking online classes in North Carolina.[dataviz-nces online="19" undergrad="89" in-state="91"]
Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
The following section includes our rankings of the best online four-year programs in the Tar Heel State. Our profiles look at how schools approach accredited online education and then list services for distance students and popular, fully online degrees in North Carolina.After reviewing the best online schools in North Carolina, explore our state resources, such as a database of every college and university in North Carolina or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
College Graduate Outlook in North Carolina
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Qualifying out-of-state students can access generous tuition breaks at North Carolina's public universities and colleges. For example, four universities participate in NC Promise, which caps tuition at $500 for residents and $2,500 per semester for non-resident enrollees.North Carolina State University partners with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Yellow Ribbon program. This initiative provides up to $5,700 per semester to help close the gap between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates for veterans who are not North Carolina residents.North Carolina also participates in the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), an academic community composed of member states. As part of the SREB, North Carolina colleges and universities participate in the academic common market, an initiative that allows students to pursue majors in other states at in-state costs if no public university in their home state offers that program.North Carolina is one of 49 states that participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). SARA allows distance education providers to offer their degrees across state borders.
Job Opportunities in North Carolina for College Graduates
With a population of 10.8 million and a GDP of $767 billion, North Carolina offers a robust and growing economy. The state is home to at least two major economic hubs: Charlotte, the nation's second-largest banking center, and Research Triangle, headquarters for more than 200 companies.In April 2024, the BLS reported that North Carolina's unemployment rate stood at 3.5%, lower than the national average of 3.9%. North Carolinians with bachelor's degrees earn an average of $17,470 per year more than residents with a high school diploma.North Carolina's growing population demands more talented and equipped educators and healthcare providers. People with bachelor's and graduate degrees can pursue high-paying careers in the state's fastest-growing industries, such as healthcare, special education, and entertainment. Earning an online degree in North Carolina can equip you for service in these and other fast-growing fields.