Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in North Carolina offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.
Among these schools are over 60 public colleges and universities, including the state’s largest school, North Carolina State University, which serves almost 30,000 students. Tuition costs average about $9,000, just below the national average, and students also have the option to enroll in over 1,000 online courses. Another notable public school is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which is one of the country’s oldest universities.
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The 25,000 students who attend UNC will walk the same halls as Francis Collins, Thomas Wolfe, and former president James K. Polk. North Carolina’s private schools have also made a name for themselves, including the well-known Duke University located in Durham. Here, students can earn degrees in some of the top programs, like nursing, political science, and business. Additionally, students can attend one of the many small schools which serve less than 5,000 students, like Campbell University in Buies Creek, or a religiously affiliated school, like Mid-Atlantic Christian University in Elizabeth City.
From its coastal beaches to its lush forests, it’s no wonder the Wright Brothers dreamed of taking flight over North Carolina. This state is rich with history, scenic views, and famous people who once called it home, like John Coltrane and Nicholas Sparks. Students hoping to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree also have the option of choosing from over 100 schools in the Tar Heel State.
Whether you prefer ocean views or wooded forests, North Carolina has something for everyone. Discover more about the state’s higher learning options.
There are 16 doctorate-granting graduate schools in North Carolina. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the North Carolina is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
96%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/34
Duke University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
20%
Graduation
90%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1385/30
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
47%
Graduation
84%
Student body
31K
Median SAT/ACT
1320/29
North Carolina State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
25%
Graduation
90%
Student body
8K
Wake Forest University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
66%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/24
University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
66%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/21
East Carolina University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
58%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/22
University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
51%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
930/17
North Carolina Central University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
73%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/24
Appalachian State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
70%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/25
High Point University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
53%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/19
North Carolina A&T State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
61%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/22
Western Carolina University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
72%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1235/25
University of North Carolina Wilmington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
37%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
920/18
Fayetteville State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
61%
Student body
3K
Wingate University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
48%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1052/21
Gardner–Webb University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.
Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.