Colleges in Charlotte: All 11 Schools

Thanks to its booming job market, low cost of living, and pleasant climate, Charlotte is a great place to launch a career. And North Carolina colleges can help you earn the degree necessary for high-paying jobs.

Charlotte’s 11 colleges bring nearly 50,000 students to North Carolina’s largest city. The city’s online colleges add to that number.

Considering colleges in Charlotte? Then check out our resources on popular colleges, the cost of college in Charlotte, and scholarships for Charlotte colleges.

Want to find the perfect fit in North Carolina’s largest city? Here are some of the most popular colleges in Charlotte based on factors like overall prestige, academic rigor, and number of applicants.

An urban research institution in North Carolina’s largest city, UNC Charlotte stands out for its diverse majors, large student body, and impressive alumni network.

You can choose from over 170 majors. And if you’ve got a strong academic record, you can apply to an accelerated master’s program as a first-year student and earn your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree.

In-state students can expect a tuition rate of $7,214, while out-of-state students pay $21,338.

A small liberal arts college, Davidson College dates back to 1837. Connect with classmates, engage with professors, and explore Charlotte from a scenic campus outside the city. More than a quarter of students participate in varsity athletics, and interdisciplinary programs encourage innovative thought and leadership skills.

Undergrads can expect an average annual tuition and fees of $57,340. Davidson meets 100% of calculated financial need through institutional aid that does not include loans.

Located in the historic Myers Park neighborhood, Queens University of Charlotte offers personalized attention. The small college has 42 majors that encourage critical thinking and engagement. Most undergrads also study abroad during their time at Queens. You can also earn a master’s degree online through this private university.

Queens reports an annual tuition rate of around $40,830 per year. As an accredited institution, you can qualify for many forms of financial aid.

We’ve created a complete list of all four-year nonprofit colleges in Charlotte and the surrounding area. You can use the table below to compare data on student population and the average net cost.

The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). All data is from 2022. Note that colleges with a total undergraduate enrollment of fewer than 500 were not considered for this list.

College costs continue to grow. So, how much is college in Charlotte? If you’re considering Charlotte colleges, you can expect to pay $14,000-$22,000 per year, depending on the school.

North Carolina’s public colleges report affordable tuition rates. Charlotte’s public college, UNC Charlotte, reports the lowest annual net price for colleges in the city. And private colleges can be surprisingly affordable when factoring in financial aid.

Note that the average annual net price for public, four-year colleges is based on the only public college in the Charlotte area, UNC Charlotte.

Charlotte undergrads qualify for several college scholarships. Check out our resources for North Carolina students for more opportunities.

If you’re attending a UNC school, you might qualify for the NC Scholarship. You’ll need a family income of $75,000 or less and an expected family contribution of $7,500 or less. The program guarantees at least $5,000 in financial aid from combined federal and state programs. Fill out the FAFSA before June 1 to qualify.

UNC Charlotte offers the Freeman Endowed Scholarship to support students with exceptional academic records. The scholarship covers in-state tuition and fees for up to four years. You’ll need to apply to UNC Charlotte’s Honors College by Dec. 1st and submit the FAFSA by Jan. 1 to be considered for the scholarship.

Davidson offers the John M. Belk Scholarship to eight incoming students each year. The scholarship offers comprehensive funding, which includes tuition, fees, and room and board. Belk Scholars also receive a stipend. School counselors or principals must nominate you for the scholarship. Davidson admission staff can also nominate applicants.

Charlotte’s most affordable college is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The public university reports an annual net price of $13,951, according to NCES data. Many of the city’s private colleges also report affordable net prices because of financial aid opportunities.

Charlotte is home to 11 four-year nonprofit colleges and universities. This number includes colleges in Charlotte proper and in the surrounding areas. The city’s colleges include the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Davidson College, and Queens University of Charlotte. In total, nearly 50,000 students attend colleges in Charlotte.

The biggest college in Charlotte is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The public university enrolls nearly 30,000 students, which is more than half of all college students in the city. The next-largest colleges are Wingate University and Gardner-Webb University, with just over 3,000 students each.