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.
Featured Online Programs
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.
in 2013, North Carolina had 133 degree-granting institutions
- 75 public
- 49 non-profit
- 9 for-profit
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.
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.
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.
| Rank | School Name | School Logo | City | Cost | Address & Contact Info | School Links | Acclaim for Online Programs | School Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Raleigh | $$$$$ | North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC 27695 (919) 515-2011 | School Website | Featuring more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, North Carolina State University (NCSU) ranks among the largest higher education networks in its region. The school's vibrant and diverse learning community includes more than 37,800 students and 2,400 faculty members. NCSU students can pursue over 120 online and distance-learning degrees. Many programs lead to undergraduate certificates, but students can earn fully online bachelor's degrees in agricultural science and public sector leadership. Hybrid formats open up even more opportunities, as NCSU offers more than 1,000 online or distance courses across its 12 colleges. Cost per Credit: In-State | $272 Out-of-State | $1,225 Credits to Earn Bachelor's: 120 for most bachelor's programs Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Programmatic Accreditation: ABET, American Psychological Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and more | ||
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | $$$$$ | UNC-Chapel Hill, Suite 3100 Chapel Hill, NC 27599 (919) 962-0504 | School Website | First opening in 1789, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) holds the distinction of being the first public university in U.S. history. UNC-Chapel Hill continues its rich traditions with innovative online programs for 21st-century learners. The school features 21 fully online programs, along with certificate, professional education, and bootcamp opportunities. Beyond a fully online bachelor's degree in nursing, UNC-Chapel Hill offers online courses in the humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, STEM, and more. Online course offerings vary by term but include hybrid degrees in dozens of subject areas. Credits to Earn Bachelor's: 120 for most bachelor's programs Cost per Credit: In-State | $292 Out-of-State | $1,557 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics; Council on Education for Public Health; Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration | ||
| 3 | Pfeiffer University | Misenheimer | $$$$$ | P.O. Box 960 Misenheimer, NC 28109 (800) 338-2060 | School Website | Pfeiffer University has followed a trajectory of growth and innovation since opening in 1885 as a small private institution. The Christian university has maintained a formal affiliation with the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1903. Today, Pfeiffer offers seven fully online bachelor's degree-completion and graduate programs. Undergraduates can earn online degrees in education and nursing, along with a licensure program in academically and intellectually gifted education. Pfeiffer's convenient online learning experience features asynchronous course delivery. Learners have complete control over their scheduling and 24/7 access to support resources. Credits to Earn Bachelor's: 120 for most bachelor's programs Cost per Credit: In-State | $676 Out-of-State | $676 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation | ||
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke | $$$$$ | 1 University Drive Pembroke, NC 28372 (910) 521-6000 | School Website | University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) features an extensive lineup of online degree-completion programs for undergraduates. Transfer students can earn bachelor's degrees in accounting, American Indian studies, birth-to-kindergarten education, and interdisciplinary studies, among others. UNCP also offers an RN-to-BSN program. Uniquely, UNCP maintains a dedicated Office of Online Learning (OOL). This institution provides faculty with a forum for improving the quality of UNCP's online educational programs. The OOL also liaises with multiple student support programs and services to deliver welcoming learning experiences in the digital space. Credits to Earn Bachelor's: 120-128 Cost per Credit: In-State | $42 Out-of-State | $208 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Programmatic Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, Council on Social Work Education, and more | ||
| 5 | Montreat College | Montreat | $$$$$ | 310 Gaither Circle Montreat, NC 28757 (828) 669-8012 | School Website | Montreat College is a private, nondenominational Christian liberal arts college. Montreat offers a varied lineup of fully online programs through its School of Adult and Graduate Studies. In total, the school features 25 undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels. Most of Montreat's online undergraduate programs lead to bachelor's degrees, with major options including accounting, communications, human resource management, and psychology. Students can also earn tech-focused BS degrees in cybersecurity or data analytics. Credits to Earn Bachelor's: 120 for most bachelor's programs Cost per Credit: In-State | $425 Out-of-State | $425 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Programmatic Accreditation: Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs | ||
| 6 | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | $$$$$ | 1 University Drive Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828) 227-7211 | School Website | Western Carolina University (WCU) features a varied lineup of fully online undergraduate majors and minors. Students can earn online degrees in majors such as education, engineering technology, finance, and nursing. WCU also offers online bachelor's programs in emergency medical care, emergency and disaster management, and entrepreneurship. Online WCU students can also take advantage of generous transfer credit policies and degree-completion options. Most online courses feature asynchronous delivery, making it easy for students to balance work and other commitments with their education. Credits to Earn Bachelor's: 120-128 Cost per Credit: In-State | $41 Out-of-State | $208 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Programmatic Accreditation: ABET, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, Council on Social Work Education, National Association of School Psychologists, Project Management Institute, and more | ||
| 7 | Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory | $$$$$ | 625 7th Avenue NE Hickory, NC 28601 (828) 328-1741 | School Website | Lenoir-Rhyne University serves working undergraduates and graduate students with its online course and degree offerings. These programs combine e-learning with traditional face-to-face instruction at the school's campus in Hickory, North Carolina. Online learners at Lenoir-Rhyne enjoy full access to extensive resources, including librarian assistance and 24/7/365 technical support. Lenoir-Rhyne reports that its graduates enjoy excellent outcomes, with 97% of alumni securing jobs or grad school placements within six months of finishing their bachelor's degrees. Credits to Earn Bachelor's: 128 for most bachelor's programs Cost per Credit: In-State | $690 Out-of-State | $690 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Education for Public Health, and more | ||
| 8 | North Carolina Central University | Durham | $$$$$ | 1801 Fayetteville Street Durham, NC 27707 (919) 530-6100 | School Website | North Carolina Central University (NCCU) features four fully online undergraduate programs: business administration, health administration, information technology, and nursing. As a historically Black college, NCCU offers special appeal to Black students and members of other racial minority groups. All online NCCU students can readily obtain one-on-one academic advisory and support services, along with helpful career placement programs for learners nearing graduation. Credits to Earn Bachelor's: 120 for most bachelor's programs Cost per Credit: In-State | $185 Out-of-State | $728 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Programmatic Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, Association of American Law Schools, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and more | ||
| 9 | Barton College | Wilson | $$$$$ | P.O. Box 5000 Wilson, NC 27893 (252) 399-6300 | School Website | Barton College serves an intimate, close-knit learning community of about 1,200 undergraduate students. Distance learning takes place via its Office of Graduate and Professional Studies, which offers 100% online bachelor's and degree-completion programs in six areas. Students can earn undergraduate degrees in justice administration, social work, and multiple education disciplines. Barton also features an online RN-to-BSN program. Beyond its online undergraduate degree offerings, Barton also features multiple certificate programs in healthcare and technology. These options can lead to credentials that pair well with existing education or professional experience. Credits to Earn Bachelor's: 126 for most bachelor's programs Cost per Credit: In-State | $450 Out-of-State | $450 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Programmatic Accreditation: National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction | ||
| 10 | University of North Carolina at Wilmington | Wilmington | $$$$$ | 601 South College Road Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 962-3000 | School Website | University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) uses cutting-edge technologies, asynchronous and synchronous delivery models, and flexible scheduling options to deliver an innovative online learning experience. Bachelor's students can pursue six fully online degrees. Supported majors include nursing, clinical research, criminology, elementary education, international studies, and workforce learning and development. Students open to blended learning formats can access hybrid undergraduate programs in business administration, German, Spanish, and respiratory therapy. All UNCW online programs feature the same specialized accreditations held by their campus-based counterparts. UNCW joined the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements in 2017, opening its online programs to a national student base. Credits to Earn Bachelor's: 120 for most bachelor's programs Cost per Credit: In-State | $185 Out-of-State | $838 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) Programmatic Accreditation: ABET, American Psychological Association, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Commission of Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, Council on Social Work Education, and more |
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.
Scholarships and Financial Aid in North Carolina
Southern Automotive Women’s Forum Scholarship Program
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT VARIES
DEADLINE: March 25
Applicants must be female high school students or graduates planning to enroll in a STEM program at a two- or four-year school.
Henderson County DREAM Scholarship
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $2,500
DEADLINE: Last Friday in April
Applicants must be undocumented Henderson County high school graduates or have worked in the county for at least two years.
Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT VARIES
DEADLINE: VARIES
Students pursuing higher education at an accredited university are welcome to apply. The committee is especially interested in applicants majoring in healthcare.
Mary Lewis Wyche Fellowship
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $5,000
DEADLINE: May 31
The North Carolina Nurses Association provides this fellowship, which supports registered nurses pursuing master’s degrees or doctorates in the field.
N.C. Tomato Growers Association Scholarship Application
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $3,000
DEADLINE: May 31
North Carolina residents pursuing majors in horticulture or agribusiness at North Carolina universities may apply. Each candidate needs a 2.5 GPA.
NC Need-Based Scholarship for Private College Students
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT VARIES
DEADLINE: VARIES
This scholarship, funded by the North Carolina legislature, supports North Carolina residents with financial needs who attend in-state private schools.
Next NC Scholarship
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $3,000 (two-year school) or $5,000 (four-year school)
DEADLINE: Aug. 15
Each candidate must be a North Carolina resident with a high school diploma (or equivalent) and come from a household with an annual adjusted gross income of $80,000 or less.
North Carolina REACH
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT VARIES
DEADLINE: June 30
This state-sponsored scholarship awards up to four years of tuition at North Carolina public institutions of higher education for students who have aged out of foster care or were adopted through the foster care system.
The Dottie Martin Teachers Scholarship
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT: $500
DEADLINE: June 1
Students pursuing teaching, counseling, and child guidance degrees can compete for this scholarship, funded by the North Carolina Federation of Republican Women.
Winston-Salem Foundation Scholarships
SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT VARIES
DEADLINE: April 30 (merit-based) or July 1 (need-based)
The Winston-Salem Foundation offers a single application for 150 scholarship funds and 743 awards to Forsyth, Davidson, Davie, Stokes, Surry, Wilkes, or Yadkin Counties students.
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