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 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, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. 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.

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 degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction 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. Whehter 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 balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford 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 aynchronous, 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 Research Universities in North Carolina 2023

By James Barham

Published: Mar 25, 2021
Updated: Jan 24, 2023

Interested in attending a STEM school in North Carolina? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

10 Best Research Universities in North Carolina 2022

Duke University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University
Wake Forest University
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
East Carolina University
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Campbell University
Elon University
North Carolina A&T State University

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 research 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 research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 13 research universities in North Carolina. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

Best Research Universities in North Carolina 2022

#1
Duke University
Durham , NC
#1 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #1 50 Best Christian Colleges and Universities 2023 #11 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #13 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
6%
Graduation
96%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1520/34
What is Duke University known for?

Duke University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Religious Studies
Nursing
Medical
Political Science
Education
Philosophy
Law
Business
Psychology
Sociology

Most Influential Alumni

Jerome Bruner
Ken Wilber
Fred Brooks
Charlie Rose
John W. Campbell
Dan Ariely
David G. Bromley
Russell Kirk
Charles H. Townes
Paul Farmer
G. William Domhoff
Robert Lefkowitz
#2
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill , NC
#6 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #7 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2023 #16 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #17 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
20%
Graduation
90%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1385/30
What is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill known for?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Law
Communications
History
Literature
Education
Philosophy
Mathematics
Business
Psychology
Sociology

Most Influential Alumni

James E. Webb
Francis Collins
Dan Ariely
Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Howard T. Odum
Charles Tart
Jeffrey Beall
Christine Blasey Ford
Taylor Branch
Robert F. Furchgott
Robert Cialdini
James Rachels
#3
North Carolina State University
Raleigh , NC
#2 Best Public Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #3 Best Grad Schools in North Carolina 2023 #3 Best Colleges in North Carolina 2023
Other Rankings
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
- #22 Best Research Universities for Social Work Degrees
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
47%
Graduation
84%
Student body
31K
Median SAT/ACT
1320/29
What is North Carolina State University known for?

North Carolina State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Engineering
Biology
Chemistry
Mathematics
Physics
Education
Business
Computer Science
Philosophy
Earth Sciences

Most Influential Alumni

Munir Ahmad Khan
Hugh Shelton
Shree K. Nayar
James W. Owens
Tomoko Ohta
Wes Jackson
Raymond T. Odierno
Russell Wilson
Christina Koch
John Edwards
J. Turner Whitted
Robert Bryant
North Carolina State University’s Online Degrees
BA in Leadership In The Public Sector

Required Credits: 12
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#4
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem , NC
#2 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #4 Best Grad Schools in North Carolina 2023 #4 Best Colleges in North Carolina 2023
Tuition + fees
$60K
Acceptance
25%
Graduation
90%
Student body
8K
What is Wake Forest University known for?

Wake Forest University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Medical
Literature
Communications
Business
Religious Studies
Political Science
History
Law
Biology
Mathematics

Most Influential Alumni

Arnold Palmer
Al Hunt
Tim Duncan
Chris Paul
Thomas Marshburn
David L. Heymann
Jesse Helms
Graham Martin
Robert Wilkie
Melissa Harris-Perry
Harold Hayes
Jason Benetti
#5
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte , NC
#3 Best Public Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #5 Best Grad Schools in North Carolina 2023 #5 Best Colleges in North Carolina 2023
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
66%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/24
What is University of North Carolina at Charlotte known for?

University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Anthropology
Computer Science
Engineering
Business
Economics
Earth Sciences
History
Mathematics
Physics
Criminal Justice

Most Influential Alumni

Benjamin Chavis
Kerry S. Walters
Vani Hari
Joe Posnanski
Matt Hardy
Joseph R. Swedish
Clyde Caldwell
Michael Haley
Cedric Maxwell
Peter Joseph Jugis
Glenda Gilmore
Malek Jandali
University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Online Degrees
BA in Respiratory Therapy

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing (Rn To Bsn)

Required Credits: 121
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Engineering Technology

Degree Concentrations
Electrical
Fire Safety

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#6
East Carolina University
Greenville , NC
#4 Best Public Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #6 Best Grad Schools in North Carolina 2023 #6 Best Colleges in North Carolina 2023
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
66%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/21
What is East Carolina University known for?

East Carolina University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Nursing
Medical
Business
History
Biology
Education
Political Science
Earth Sciences
Communications
Psychology

Most Influential Alumni

Rick Atkinson
MrBeast
Mary Robinette Kowal
Mark Kemp
Dan Neil
Brian Shul
Patrick Minges
Howell Binkley
Christopher R. Barron
William C. Chasey
Constance Bumgarner Gee
John Beard
East Carolina University’s Online Degrees
BS in Communication

Degree Concentrations
Interpersonal/Organizational

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Hospitality Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Industrial Distribution And Logistics

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in Management

Degree Concentrations
Management And General Business
Human Resource Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in Marketing

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in Supply Chain Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSBA in Management Information Systems

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Birth Through Kindergarten (B-K) Teacher Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education (K-6)

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Family And Consumer Sciences Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Middle Grades Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Special Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in University Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Health Information Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Health Services Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing

Degree Concentrations
Rn To Bsn

Required Credits: 125-133
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#7
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro , NC
#5 Best Public Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #7 Best Grad Schools in North Carolina 2023 #8 Best Colleges in North Carolina 2023
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
58%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/22
What is University of North Carolina at Greensboro known for?

University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Psychology
Education
Sociology
Literature
History
Physics
Economics
Mathematics
Political Science
Biology

Most Influential Alumni

Emily V. Gordon
Norman B. Anderson
Kelly Link
Clyde Caldwell
Justin Tornow
Kelly Cherry
Claudia Emerson
Eleanor Ross Taylor
Emily Spivey
Mary Ellen Snodgrass
Robert Morgan
Keith Lee Morris
University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s Online Degrees
BA in Entrepreneurship

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Business Administration (Business Studies)

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Information Systems And Supply Chain Management

Required Credits: 125
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Peace And Conflict Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Birth-Kindergarten Teacher Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Integrated Professional Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BLS in Liberal Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Philosophy

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#8
Campbell University
Buies Creek , NC
#7 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2023 #2 Best Small Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #3 Best Christian Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #4 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina 2023
Tuition + fees
$38K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
56%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1110/22
What is Campbell University known for?

Campbell University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Nursing
Social Work
Psychology
Law
Medical
Chemistry
Education
Economics
History
Biology

Most Influential Alumni

Paul Green
Gaylord Perry
J. D. Greear
Ryan Fournier
Eric Swalwell
John M. Tyson
Stuart Couch
Kristin Cooper
Donna Stroud
Eugene McDaniel
Susan Higginbotham
Bob Etheridge
Campbell University’s Online Degrees
BAS in Accounting

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BBA in Accounting

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BBA in Business Administration

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Information Technology And Security

Degree Concentrations
Management

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Information Technology And Security

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Criminal Justice

Degree Concentrations
Pre-Law

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice

Degree Concentrations
Pre-Law

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice Administration

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Homeland Security

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Homeland Security

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education (K-6)

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Christian Studies

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Communication Studies

Degree Concentrations
Generalist
Public Relations And Corporate Communication

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Liberal Arts

Degree Concentrations
Humanities

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BBA in Healthcare Management

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn

Required Credits: 124
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#9
Elon University
Elon , NC
#5 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina 2023
Tuition + fees
$39K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
83%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/27
What is Elon University known for?

Elon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Communications
Business
History
Education
Law
Economics
Mathematics
Political Science
Anthropology
Philosophy

Most Influential Alumni

William E. Gortney
Rich Blomquist
Wes Durham
H. Shelton Smith
Reno Collier
Jack McKeon
James Danieley
Mike Trainor
James S. Denton
Phillip Kellam
Frank Haith
Nat Robertson
Elon University’s Online Degrees
BSBA in Business Administration

Degree Concentrations
Management & Entrepreneurship
Marketing & Mis
Economics & Finance

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Homeland Security

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies

Degree Concentrations
Global Studies
Community Services
Individualized
Security Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#10
North Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro , NC
#8 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2000-2020 #8 Best Public Colleges in North Carolina 2023 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina 2023
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
53%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/19
What is North Carolina A&T State University known for?

North Carolina A&T State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Physics
Political Science
Education
Engineering
Mathematics
Chemistry
Criminal Justice
Biology
Economics
Sociology

Most Influential Alumni

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed
Jesse Jackson
Ronald McNair
Joseph McNeil
J. R. Smith
Bob Beamon
Randolph Blackwell
Johnnie B. Rawlinson
Franklin McCain
Taraji P. Henson
Harold L. Martin
Janeen Uzzell
North Carolina A&T State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Economics

Required Credits: 179
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Electronics Technology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Information Technology

Degree Concentrations
Business

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Liberal Studies

Degree Concentrations
African American Studies
Applied Cultural Thought
Applied Cultural Thought

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Nursing

Degree Concentrations
Rn Completion Option

Required Credits: 31
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Agricultural Sciences

Degree Concentrations
Agricultural Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Environmental Health And Safety

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#11
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington , NC
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
72%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1235/25
What is University of North Carolina Wilmington known for?

University of North Carolina Wilmington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Biology
Chemistry
Anthropology
Literature
Psychology
Earth Sciences
Mathematics
Computer Science
Communications
Sociology

Most Influential Alumni

John Calipari
Jill Mikucki
Terry Schappert
Joshua Poteat
Lavonne J. Adams
Skeet Ulrich
David Harpp
Anna Kooiman
Derek Nikitas
Matt Fish
Martha Cheney
David Riggs
University of North Carolina Wilmington’s Online Degrees
BA in Criminology

Required Credits: 24
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Clinical Research

Required Credits: 83-84
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
#12
Wingate University
Wingate , NC
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
61%
Student body
3K
What is Wingate University known for?

Wingate University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Medical
Nursing
History
Education
Biology
Criminal Justice
Political Science
Communications
Sociology
Social Work

Most Influential Alumni

Jesse Helms
Todd Grisham
Richard Lindsay
Rohit Gupta
Mike Martin
Alvin Morman
Kenwin Cummings
Luke Mulholland
Lorinza Harrington
Anthony Dean Griffey
David Hayes
David Jones
#13
Gardner–Webb University
Boiling Springs , NC
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
48%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1052/21
What is Gardner–Webb University known for?

Gardner–Webb University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Religious Studies
Social Work
Literature
Chemistry
Mathematics
Political Science
Psychology
Biology
History
Nursing

Most Influential Alumni

Robert M. Price
Scott Hahn
Tim Keller
Ben Witherington III
Kevin DeYoung
Artis Gilmore
Roger Nicole
Kimberly Hahn
Stephen A. Hayner
Gordon Hugenberger
Gary N. Knoppers
John Drew
Gardner–Webb University’s Online Degrees
BA in Business Foundations

Required Credits: 9
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSA in Accounting

Required Credits: 60
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Management

Required Credits: 60
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Computer Information Systems

Required Credits: 60
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice

Required Credits: 30
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Birth-Kindergarten Education

Required Credits: 73
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education

Degree Concentrations
Teacher Assistants To Teachers

Required Credits: 48
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Christian Ministry

Required Credits: 38
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Human Services

Required Credits: 39
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSN in Rn To Bachelor Of Science In Nursing

Required Credits: 30
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online

Find the Best Research Universities in North Carolina for 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, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. 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 degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction 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. Whehter 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 balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford 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 aynchronous, 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 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.

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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