The best college in North Carolina for 2027 is Duke University in Durham, followed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Davidson College. Duke and UNC Chapel Hill share a storied basketball rivalry, and many of the state’s dozens of colleges and universities put a strong emphasis on sports.

North Carolina students can choose from large research universities, midrange colleges, and small private liberal arts colleges, with public schools and universities in Charlotte, Greenville, Greensboro, Wilmington, Durham, Asheville, and Raleigh, the state capital. This list covers 25 North Carolina schools.

Our order follows the UM World University Rankings methodology and our university rankings. Use it to compare costs, majors and campus life before you apply.

The Best Colleges In North Carolina 2027

1. Duke University

Duke University began in 1838 as Brown’s Schoolhouse in what is now Trinity, North Carolina, and moved to Durham in 1892. It became Duke University in 1924. This private research university has a historic tie to the United Methodist Church and enrolled about 17,300 students in fall 2025.

Its 12 schools and institutes include Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, the Pratt School of Engineering, and Duke Kunshan University in China. Duke anchors the Research Triangle with NC State and UNC Chapel Hill. The Blue Devils compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have won 17 NCAA team championships. Alumni include former Pfizer chief executive Edmund T. Pratt Jr.

 

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was chartered on December 11, 1789, and began enrolling students in 1795. It is a public R1 research university and a member of the Association of American Universities, with about 32,200 students in fall 2023.

The College of Arts & Sciences is joined by 13 professional schools, including medicine, law, business, nursing and public health. In 1994, its student radio station WXYC became the first to broadcast over the internet. The Tar Heels play in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have won 51 NCAA team championships. Alumni include President James K. Polk and Michael Jordan.

 

3. Davidson College

Davidson College was founded in 1837 by the Concord Presbytery and named for Revolutionary War general William Lee Davidson. This private liberal arts college is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and sits about 19 miles north of Charlotte, with a 110-acre campus on Lake Norman.

About 2,000 students follow an honour code that allows self-scheduled, unproctored final exams. The Wildcats play NCAA Division I, with most sports in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Alumni include President Woodrow Wilson, who attended for one year before transferring to Princeton, NBA champion Stephen Curry and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Football is played in the Pioneer Football League.

 

4. Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University opened on February 3, 1834, as the Wake Forest Manual Labour Institute north of Raleigh. It moved to Winston-Salem in 1956 and became a university in 1967. The private research university was tied to the Baptist State Convention until 1986.

Schools cover business, arts and sciences, professional studies, divinity, law and medicine, and about 9,100 students were enrolled in fall 2023. The Demon Deacons play NCAA Division I in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Alumni include golfer Arnold Palmer, basketball star Tim Duncan, and U.S. senator Richard Buri. It was Wake Forest College until 1967, and the Demon Deacons have won 11 NCAA team championships.

 

5. North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University was created in 1887 by the General Assembly as an agricultural and mechanical college and is now a public land-grant R1 research university in Raleigh. About 39,300 students enrolled in fall 2025.

Eleven colleges include Engineering, Agriculture and Life Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, Design, Textiles and the Poole College of Management. NC State is one of three anchors of the Research Triangle, alongside Duke and UNC Chapel Hill. The Wolfpack are founding members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Alumni include astronaut Christina Koch and NFL quarterback Philip Rivers. It began in 1917 as North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering and took its current official name in 1965.

 

6. Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences began in 1942 as the Cabarrus County Hospital School of Nursing, founded by Louise Harkey, and the first 16 students entered on February 2, 1942. It has used its current name since 1996.

The private college is located in Concord on the Atrium Health Cabarrus campus and offers 19 degree programs in 11 health science disciplines, on campus, online, and in hybrid formats. Credentials run from diplomas and associate degrees to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits it, and it is part of Advocate Health. It was the Louise Harkey School of Nursing from 1992 to 1996.

 

7. University of North Carolina School of the Arts

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts was founded in 1963 by Governor Terry Sanford as the North Carolina School of the Arts. It was the first public arts conservatory in the United States, and it took its current name in 2008.

The public school sits on a 77-acre urban campus in Winston-Salem near Old Salem and has been part of the UNC System since 1972. It teaches dance, design and production, drama, filmmaking and music, and it also awards a high school diploma. About 1,100 students attend, including high schoolers. Actor Terrence Mann is an alumnus. The board voted in 2008 to rename the school to raise its profile.

 

8. University of North Carolina – Greensboro

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro opened in 1892 as the State Normal and Industrial School. Men were first admitted in 1963, when it took its current name. It is the state’s first and only public university founded to educate women.

The public research university offers more than 100 undergraduate, 61 master’s, and 26 doctoral programs through eight academic units, and enrolled about 19,800 students in fall 2020. The Spartans play NCAA Division I in the Southern Conference. Nobel laureate Louise Glück was a visiting poet there in 1973. It was North Carolina College for Women from 1919 and the University of North Carolina’s Women’s College from 1932.

 

9. North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina A&T State University was founded on March 9, 1891, as the Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race and moved to Greensboro in 1893. It is a public, historically Black land-grant research university.

It offers 61 undergraduate programs, dozens of master’s degrees and more than a dozen doctoral programs through eight colleges, one school and one joint school. The Aggies compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association. Alumni include astronaut Ronald McNair, EPA Administrator Michael Regan and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson. It began as an annex of Shaw University in Raleigh, and the current name dates to 1967. About 15,300 students are enrolled.

 

10. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte started in 1946 as the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina and became UNC Charlotte in 1965. It is a public R1 research university with about 32,200 students in fall 2025.

The main campus is in University City, with a Center City campus in Uptown. It offers 79 bachelor’s, 66 master’s and 24 doctoral degree programs. The 49ers play NCAA Division I football in The American. Being in the state’s largest city puts students close to banking, energy and healthcare employers. It was Charlotte College from 1949 to 1965. Major League pitchers Bryan Harvey and John Maine are alumni.

 

11. Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University began in 1889 as Cullowhee Academy in Jackson County and became Western Carolina University in 1967. The public university had about 11,900 students in spring 2023.

Six colleges cover Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Allied Professions, Fine and Performing Arts, Health and Human Sciences, and Engineering and Technology, plus the Brinson Honours College and a Graduate School. The Catamounts play NCAA Division I FCS in the Southern Conference. Alumni include humorist David Sedaris, actress Ariana DeBose and author Ron Rash. Earlier names include Cullowhee Normal and Industrial School (1905) and Western Carolina College (1953).

 

12. Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City State University was founded in 1891 as the State Colored Normal School at Elizabeth City. It has been Elizabeth City State University since 1969. The public, historically Black university enrolls roughly 2,100 to 2,500 students.

It offers 28 baccalaureate and four master’s degrees, including the only four-year aviation science degree program in North Carolina. The Vikings compete in NCAA Division II in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Alumni include former NFL defensive tackle Jethro Pugh. It was Elizabeth City State Teachers College from 1937 to 1961. Departments include education, business, natural sciences, and aviation and emergency management. Basketball player Mike Gale is also an alumnus.

 

13. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke was founded in 1887 as Croatan Normal School and opened in 1888 in Pembroke. It was Pembroke State College for Indians in 1941 and has been UNC Pembroke since 1996.

The public university offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral pathways on campus, online, and in hybrid formats through six units, including Optometric Medicine and the Esther G. Maynor Honours College. The Braves compete in NCAA Division II. Alumni include UFC fighter Derek Brunson and Olympic marathon runner Pardon Ndhlovu. It was Pembroke State University from 1969 to 1996, and applied mathematician Freda Porter is an alumna.

 

14. Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University was founded on September 28, 1892, as Slater Industrial Academy. It was Winston-Salem Teachers College from 1925 and Winston-Salem State College from 1963. It is a public, historically Black university in the UNC System.

More than 40 majors and 10 graduate degrees are organized into four units, including the School of Health Sciences. The Rams compete in NCAA Division II in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Alumni include NBA Hall of Famer Earl Monroe and ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith. The school was founded as Slater Industrial and Normal School in 1899. The Rams played in NCAA Division I’s MEAC from 2007-08 through 2009-10.

 

15. Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University began in 1899 as Watauga Academy and became Appalachian State University in 1967. This public research university sits on 1,300 acres in Boone, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and opened a second campus in Hickory in 2023.

About 21,800 students attend, choosing from more than 150 bachelor’s degrees and 70 graduate programs across eight colleges. The Mountaineers play NCAA Division I FBS in the Sun Belt Conference, and the football team won three straight FCS national championships from 2005 to 2007. Alumni include novelist Charles Frazier and singer Eric Church. It was Appalachian State Teachers College from 1929 to 1967, and U.S. senator Ted Budd is an alumnus.

 

16. East Carolina University

East Carolina University opened on March 8, 1907, as East Carolina Teachers Training School in Greenville. It became East Carolina University in 1967 and joined the UNC System in 1972. About 28,000 students attend this public research university.

The campus includes nine undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, and four professional schools, including medicine, dentistry, and engineering. The Pirates play NCAA Division I FBS in The American. Alumni include actress Sandra Bullock, Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Rick Atkinson. It was East Carolina Teachers College from 1920 and East Carolina College from 1951. About 22,500 students are undergraduates, and 5,600 are graduate students.

 

17. Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University was founded in 1867 as the Howard School. It is a public, historically Black university in the UNC System with about 6,700 students in fall 2021.

It offers bachelor’s degrees in 43 areas, master’s degrees in 23 and one doctorate in educational leadership. The Broncos compete in NCAA Division II in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Alumni include former NBA player Darrell Armstrong and wrestler Sylvester Ritter, who was known as Junkyard Dog. It was the State Colored Normal School from 1877 to 1939 and Fayetteville State Teachers College from 1939. Alumnus Marvin W. Lucas served in the North Carolina General Assembly.

 

18. Elon University

Elon University was chartered in 1889 as Elon College and became Elon University in 2001. This private, nonsectarian university sits on a 656-acre campus between Greensboro and Raleigh and was historically tied to the United Church of Christ.

It has six schools offering bachelor’s degrees, plus master’s programs in business, education and physician assistant studies and doctoral programs in physical therapy and law. About 6,300 undergraduates attended in 2019. The Phoenix compete in NCAA Division I in the Coastal Athletic Association, and the mascot changed from the Fighting Christian in 2000. It was Elon College from 1889 to 2001, and it also has campuses in Charlotte and Greensboro.

 

19. High Point University

High Point University opened on September 14, 1924, as High Point College and became High Point University in 1991. It is a private university affiliated with the United Methodist Church and had about 6,550 students in fall 2025, its largest enrollment to date.

It offers 66 undergraduate degree programs and 68 minors across schools including business, communication, arts and design, pharmacy, health sciences, engineering, and law. The Panthers play NCAA Division I, mostly in the Big South Conference. Alumni include racing driver Austin Dillon and basketball coach Tubby Smith. Mark Martin, former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, is also an alumnus, and the Panthers field 16 varsity teams.

 

20. University of North Carolina – Wilmington

The University of North Carolina Wilmington started on September 4, 1947, as Wilmington College and became part of the UNC System in 1969. It is a public university with about 19,900 students in fall 2025, an extension campus in Jacksonville and a Center for Marine Science.

It offers 55 undergraduate, 35 master’s and six doctoral programs across seven colleges. The Seahawks play NCAA Division I in the Coastal Athletic Association. Faculty have included novelists Clyde Edgerton and Jason Mott, and the coastal location suits students interested in marine science. It was Wilmington College until 1969, and Carnegie classifies it as R2.

 

21. Queens University of Charlotte

Queens University of Charlotte was founded in 1857 as the Charlotte Female Institute in what is now Uptown Charlotte. It became Queens College in 1912 and Queens University of Charlotte in 2002. It is a private university affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).

About 1,600 students enrolled in fall 2024, including 1,225 undergraduates and 374 graduate students. The Royals play NCAA Division I in the ASUN Conference, and the mascot is Rex the Royal. Newbery Medal-winning children’s author Betsy Byars is among the notable people linked to the school. Earlier names include Presbyterian College for Women (1896) and Queens-Chicora College (1930). Burwell Hall was renamed Queens Hall in 2020.

 

22. North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University was chartered in 1909 and opened in 1910 in Durham, founded by James E. Shepard. It was North Carolina College for Negroes from 1925 and took its current name in 1969. It is a public, historically Black university in the UNC System.

About 9,200 students enrolled in fall 2025, with programs at the undergraduate, master’s, professional and doctoral levels, including law and library science, plus NCCU Online. The Eagles play NCAA Division I FCS in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Alumni include civil rights lawyer Julius L. Chambers and former Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson. It was North Carolina College at Durham from 1947 to 1969.

 

23. Meredith College

Meredith College was founded in 1891 as the Baptist Female University and has been Meredith College since 1909. It is a private women’s liberal arts college with a coeducational graduate school, on 225 acres on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh near NC State.

About 1,600 students enrolled in fall 2023, choosing from 42 majors, and a five-year dual-degree engineering program with NC State is available. The Avenging Angels play NCAA Division III. Alumni include former North Carolina Chief Justice Sarah Parker, journalist Judy Woodruff and Tony Award-winning actor Beth Leavel. It was Baptist University for Women from 1904, and its name honours Thomas Meredith. It has been a member of the USA South Athletic Conference since 2007.

 

24. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University was founded in 1891 as Highland Academy in Hickory and became Lenoir-Rhyne University in 2008. This private university is affiliated with the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and has additional campuses in Asheville and Columbia, South Carolina.

It offers over 50 undergraduate majors and nearly 30 graduate programs. The Bears play NCAA Division II in the South Atlantic Conference, and the men’s lacrosse team won the 2023 Division II national championship. Alumni include college basketball coach Rick Barnes and comedian Tom Segura. The football team won the NAIA national championship in 1960. It was Lenoir College, then Lenoir-Rhyne College, before 2008.

 

25. University of Mount Olive

The University of Mount Olive was chartered in 1951 and opened in 1952 as Mount Allen Junior College. It became Mount Olive College in 1970 and the University of Mount Olive in 2013. The campus covers 250 acres in Mount Olive, and the Original Free Will Baptist Convention sponsors the private university.

It offers associate and baccalaureate degrees, with some master’s programs and some programs online. About 2,200 undergraduates were enrolled in fall 2022. The Trojans play NCAA Division II in Conference Carolinas, and the baseball team won the 2008 Division II national championship. Motivational speaker Nido Qubein is an alumnus.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college in North Carolina?

Duke University in Durham is first on our 2027 list, followed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Davidson College. Duke and UNC are two of the three anchors of the Research Triangle.

What is the largest university in North Carolina?

North Carolina State University in Raleigh, with about 39,300 students in fall 2025. UNC Charlotte follows with about 32,200, and UNC Chapel Hill had about 32,200 in fall 2023.

What is the oldest public university in North Carolina?

UNC Chapel Hill, chartered on December 11, 1789, began enrolling students in 1795.

Which North Carolina colleges are historically Black?

North Carolina A&T State University, Elizabeth City State University, Winston-Salem State University, Fayetteville State University and North Carolina Central University are all public, historically Black universities in the UNC System.

What is the Research Triangle?

It is the region anchored by Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State University, located in Durham, Chapel Hill, and Raleigh.

Is there a public arts conservatory in North Carolina?

Yes. The University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem was founded in 1963 and was the first public arts conservatory in the United States.

Top 25 Best Colleges in North Carolina 2027: Ranked List

1. Duke University
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
3. Davidson College
4. Wake Forest University
5. North Carolina State University
6. Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
7. University of North Carolina School of the Arts
8. University of North Carolina – Greensboro
9. North Carolina A&T State University
10. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
11. Western Carolina University
12. Elizabeth City State University
13. University of North Carolina at Pembroke
14. Winston-Salem State University
15. Appalachian State University
16. East Carolina University
17. Fayetteville State University
18. Elon University
19. High Point University
20. University of North Carolina – Wilmington
21. Queens University of Charlotte
22. North Carolina Central University
23. Meredith College
24. Lenoir-Rhyne University
25. University of Mount Olive

 

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