Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina 2024

Q: Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Badge for BEST IN NORTH CAROLINA LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES

By Dr. James Barham

Published: Mar 25, 2021
Updated: Oct 26, 2023

Liberal arts colleges are a great option for students seeking a well-rounded education in an intimate campus setting. The best liberal arts colleges in North Carolina offer a diverse selection of degree programs with opportunities for a highly individualized educational experience.

10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina

Davidson College
North Carolina Central University
Appalachian State University
High Point University
Meredith College
Western Carolina University
Shaw University
Queens University of Charlotte
Catawba College
University of North Carolina at Asheville

Davidson College
Winston-Salem State University
North Carolina Central University
Shaw University
Appalachian State University
Meredith College
Guilford College
Western Carolina University
Johnson C. Smith University
High Point University

Belmont Abbey College 97%
University of North Carolina at Pembroke 90%
Salem College 87%
Western Carolina University 85%
North Carolina Central University 84%
Greensboro College 84%
Guilford College 84%
Warren Wilson College 84%
Appalachian State University 83%
Fayetteville State University 81%

Fayetteville State University 18 to 1
High Point University 17 to 1
Appalachian State University 16 to 1
Western Carolina University 16 to 1
Salem College 16 to 1
Elizabeth City State University 16 to 1
University of Mount Olive 16 to 1
Winston-Salem State University 15 to 1
North Carolina Central University 14 to 1
University of North Carolina at Pembroke 14 to 1

Davidson College $57,340
Meredith College $42,540
High Point University $41,916
Guilford College $41,140
Queens University of Charlotte $40,830
Warren Wilson College $38,450
Mars Hill University $36,557
Catawba College $32,868
Salem College $31,016
Montreat College $30,525

High Point University $29,500
Warren Wilson College $20,950
Guilford College $19,200
Johnson C. Smith University $18,308
University of Mount Olive $18,300
Belmont Abbey College $16,680
Meredith College $13,357
Queens University of Charlotte $12,914
Mars Hill University $12,684
Shaw University $10,404

Montreat College
Livingstone College
University of Mount Olive
Mars Hill University
Elizabeth City State University
Johnson C. Smith University
Greensboro College
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Winston-Salem State University
Belmont Abbey College

University of Mount Olive
Fayetteville State University
Montreat College
Belmont Abbey College
Livingstone College
Elizabeth City State University
Greensboro College
Mars Hill University
Queens University of Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Davidson College 17%
Johnson C. Smith University 25%
Bennett College 45%
Shaw University 61%
Livingstone College 64%
Catawba College 67%
Montreat College 68%
Queens University of Charlotte 71%
Meredith College 73%
Winston-Salem State University 73%

Bennett College 6 to 1
Warren Wilson College 8 to 1
Davidson College 9 to 1
Queens University of Charlotte 9 to 1
Meredith College 10 to 1
Greensboro College 10 to 1
Catawba College 11 to 1
Johnson C. Smith University 11 to 1
Mars Hill University 11 to 1
Shaw University 12 to 1

Western Carolina University $1,000
Fayetteville State University $1,000
University of North Carolina at Pembroke $1,000
Elizabeth City State University $1,000
Winston-Salem State University $3,401
North Carolina Central University $3,728
University of North Carolina at Asheville $4,122
Appalachian State University $4,242
Shaw University $16,480
Livingstone College $18,296

Elizabeth City State University $3,375
Fayetteville State University $3,438
Catawba College $3,594
Winston-Salem State University $3,872
University of North Carolina at Pembroke $4,280
Greensboro College $4,308
Western Carolina University $4,435
North Carolina Central University $4,740
Appalachian State University $4,839
University of North Carolina at Asheville $4,914

Table of Contents

Colleges and Universities in North Carolina

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.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

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.

What are North Carolina’s Colleges & Universities?

North Carolina’s Best Overall

How do we determine North Carolina's best colleges and universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

A liberal arts college is a school that puts a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. We’ve identified 36 liberal arts colleges in North Carolina. To be ranked among the 25 best liberal arts colleges in North Carolina, schools must fully accredited institutions.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina 2023

North Carolina’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines.

Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you? If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students.

Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).

Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships and make walks across campus more fun. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers.

Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available.

Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degrees you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no distinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online.

Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whether you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands.

Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.

Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands of balancing work and life, or because the online college affords them the chance to attend a better school without moving.

If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are asynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.

The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors.

Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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.

Check out our directory of liberal arts colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top liberal arts schools in every state.

Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina 2024

10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina

Colleges and Universities in North Carolina

What are North Carolina’s Colleges & Universities?

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in North Carolina 2023

Career Outlook for degree at Davidson College

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at North Carolina Central University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Appalachian State University

Most Influential Alumni

Appalachian State University’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at High Point University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Meredith College

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Western Carolina University

Most Influential Alumni

Western Carolina University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Shaw University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Queens University of Charlotte

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Catawba College

Most Influential Alumni

Catawba College’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at University of North Carolina at Asheville

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Guilford College

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Warren Wilson College

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Salem College

Career Outlook for degree at Bennett College

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Fayetteville State University

Most Influential Alumni

Fayetteville State University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Belmont Abbey College

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Winston-Salem State University

Most Influential Alumni

Winston-Salem State University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Most Influential Alumni

University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Greensboro College

Most Influential Alumni

Greensboro College’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Johnson C. Smith University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Elizabeth City State University

Most Influential Alumni

Elizabeth City State University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Career Outlook for degree at Mars Hill University

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at University of Mount Olive

University of Mount Olive’s Online Degrees

Career Outlook for degree at Livingstone College

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at Montreat College

Most Influential Alumni

Montreat College’s Online Degrees

North Carolina’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Your Area of Interest