How many online colleges are in North Carolina?

North Carolina is home to 84 colleges that offer online programs. You have a variety of options to choose from, including private and public four-year schools, along with many community colleges.

Can you go to college for free in North Carolina?

Many scholarship and grant programs for North Carolina students can make your college education nearly free. North Carolina's Next NC Scholarship will cover tuition costs if you're a community college student from a family with an income below $80,000. The scholarship may also apply to some state universities.

What is the #1 college in North Carolina?

Duke University is widely recognized as the #1 college in North Carolina. Duke is frequently counted among the country's Hidden Ivies — schools that aren't technically in the Ivy League but rival them for academic excellence and reputation. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is considered the best public college in the state. Founded in the 18th century, it has been crafting a strong reputation as a research university for over two centuries.

What is the easiest online college to get into in North Carolina?

A few colleges in North Carolina have very high acceptance rates and online programs. The most notable is UNC Greensboro, which admits 92% of all applicants. Manna University, Barton College, and East Carolina University all have acceptance rates of over 90%.

Best Online Colleges in North Carolina of 2025

Are you looking for the right online college in North Carolina for your career goals? Here is your guide to the best online colleges in NC.

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Updated December 4, 2024

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There are many reasons to attend an online college in North Carolina. North Carolina has some of the top public and private research institutions.

Many of these colleges offer online programs — an education just as valuable as an in-person learning experience.

You may be looking for flexibility in your schedule or to take advantage of the cost savings of an online program. Regardless of the reason, discover the best online colleges in North Carolina, average tuition, and the fastest-growing careers in the state.

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In this Article

2025 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,242

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$21,238

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

89%

Acceptance Rate

56%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,839

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,849

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

21,253

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,242

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,238

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,242

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,238

Acceptance Rate

89%

Online Enrollment

56%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,839

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,849

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

21,253

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$18,474

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

80%

Acceptance Rate

56%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,337

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,482

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

30,298

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,474

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$3,812

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,474

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment

56%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,337

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,482

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

30,298

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,063

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

69%

Acceptance Rate

70%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,719

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,104

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

17,843

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,063

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,443

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,063

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

70%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,719

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,104

Retention Rate

83%

Students Enrolled

17,843

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$20,729

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

90%

Acceptance Rate

72%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

26,785

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,452

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,729

Acceptance Rate

90%

Online Enrollment

72%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$4,749

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$17,898

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

26,785

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC4 yearCampus + Online

$4,422

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$19,582

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

90%

Acceptance Rate

69%

Online Enrollment

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,219

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,937

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

17,743

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,422

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,582

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$4,422

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$19,582

Acceptance Rate

90%

Online Enrollment

69%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$5,219

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,937

Retention Rate

76%

Students Enrolled

17,743

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Cost of College in North Carolina

The average cost of tuition in North Carolina is less than the national average.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the national average tuition cost for in-state students at public universities was $9,596 and $27,457 for out-of-state students in 2021-2022. The average tuition cost in North Carolina was a few thousand dollars cheaper, whether you’re in-state or out-of-state.

Tuition and fees may also be different if you attend online. Many universities offer a flat rate for online programs, regardless of your residency status.

Cost of College in North Carolina in 2021-2022
Institution Type	Average Tuition & Required Fees
Public Four-Year (In-State)	$7,337
Public Four-Year (Out-of-State)	$23,452
Private Four-Year	$38,346
Public Two-Year (In-State)	$2,524
Public Two-Year (Out-of-State)	$8,537

Source: NCES

10 Fast-Growing Jobs in North Carolina

Many STEM careers in North Carolina are projected to grow over the next ten years, according to the NC Department of Commerce Labor & Economic Analysis.

The top-growing job that requires a bachelor’s degree is a data scientist, with a growth rate of 41%. Information security analysts, web developers, and software developers are also in top positions. Careers in industries like finance and healthcare are also projected to grow faster than average.

A bachelor’s degree is the first step to qualify for these jobs, and online colleges are making education more accessible than ever.

Fastest-Growing Careers in North Carolina 2021-2030
Job	Projected Growth Rate	Median Annual Wage (2022)	Minimum Educational Requirement
Data Scientists	41%	$121,970	Bachelor’s degree
Logisticians	37%	$68,410	Bachelor’s degree
Information Security Analysts	36%	$117,860	Bachelor’s degree
Web Developers	36%	$71,740	Bachelor’s degree
Medical and Health Services Managers	31%	$102,910	Bachelor’s degree
Software Developers	31%	$126,520	Bachelor’s degree
Operations Research Analysts	27%	$96,450	Bachelor’s degree
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	26%	$97,700	Bachelor’s degree
Financial Examiners	25%	$83,610	Bachelor’s degree
Market Research Analysts	24%	$65,710	Bachelor’s degree
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	24%	$49,050	Bachelor’s degree