The Best Online Colleges in North Carolina | TheBestSchools
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North Carolina is home to one of the nation’s largest state university systems as well as many private colleges and universities that offer online degrees.
Students in North Carolina continue to pursue bachelor’s degrees at increasingly higher rates. To address a shortage in college-educated professionals, the state coordinated with myFutureNC to set a goal for more than 54% of adults over the age of 25 in the state to hold a bachelor’s degree by 2030 — an increase of 5% from 2019.
To better accommodate students, many universities and colleges in North Carolina have turned to online education. Online learning allows students from all corners of the state to access programs with reduced travel and living costs. In fact, North Carolina boasts one of the largest online educational systems, offering more than 400 degree options.
Featured Online Schools
Students considering attending an online university in North Carolina may feel intimidated by the sheer number of available options. We hope to help make that process a little easier with this page, which ranks of best online colleges in North Carolina. Our list considers the top schools in the state, along with available employment opportunities after graduation.
The Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,452
- Out-of-state$20,729
- In-State$4,749
- Out-of-state$17,898
- Retention Rate80%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled27,151
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- Greensboro, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,422
- Out-of-state$19,581
- In-State$5,219
- Out-of-state$18,937
- Retention Rate73%
- Acceptance Rate92%
- Students Enrolled17,978
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment82%
- AccreditationYes
Western Carolina University
- Cullowhee, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$1,000
- Out-of-state$5,000
- In-State$4,435
- Out-of-state$14,842
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled11,635
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment54%
- AccreditationYes
Fayetteville State University
- Fayetteville, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,982
- Out-of-state$14,590
- In-State$3,438
- Out-of-state$14,503
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled6,787
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment90%
- AccreditationYes
North Carolina State University
- Raleigh, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$6,535
- Out-of-state$28,276
- In-State$9,095
- Out-of-state$28,301
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate47%
- Students Enrolled36,700
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
Appalachian State University
- Boone, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$7,950
- Out-of-state$20,246
- In-State$4,839
- Out-of-state$19,849
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate83%
- Students Enrolled20,436
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment60%
- AccreditationYes
North Carolina Central University
- Durham, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,728
- Out-of-state$16,435
- In-State$4,740
- Out-of-state$18,048
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled7,553
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Wilmington, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,443
- Out-of-state$19,063
- In-State$4,719
- Out-of-state$19,104
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled17,843
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Charlotte, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,812
- Out-of-state$17,936
- In-State$4,337
- Out-of-state$18,482
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled29,551
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
Campbell University
- Buies Creek, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$35,580
- Out-of-state$35,580
- In-State$14,041
- Out-of-state$14,041
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate89%
- Students Enrolled5,272
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment27%
- AccreditationYes
Online Colleges in North Carolina Ranking Guidelines
We selected the online schools in North Carolina based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, and faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
Employment in North Carolina
The overall employment outlook in the state appears strong. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) project the addition of more than 300,000 jobs from 2018-2028. The unemployment rate of 6.2% is about the same as the national unemployment rate.
The state offers growing opportunities in most of its major industries, including aerospace and defense, biotechnology, and business and financial services. Many organizations within these industries and others focus on innovation, which bodes well for future professionals in those industries.
According to BLS data, the state’s $47,200 median annual salary exceeds the median annual salary for all occupations by more than $7,000. Additionally, the 90.6 cost of living index suggests that life in North Carolina is less expensive than the national average.
Below are some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying careers in North Carolina, including some of the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in North Carolina. Salary information applies specifically to North Carolina, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary (2019) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optometrists | $138,200 | 4% | Doctoral |
| Veterinarians | $112,930 | 16% | Doctoral |
| Real Estate Brokers | $84,770 | 3% | High School Diploma |
| Interpreters and Translators | $58,040 | 20% | Bachelor’s Degree |
The following data reflects the highest-paying roles employing more than 3,500 professionals in North Carolina. Salary figures apply specifically to North Carolina, while job growth data refers to the United States as a whole.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary (2019) | Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | Education Typically Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Postsecondary Teachers | $140,740 | 21% | Master’s or Doctoral |
| Financial Examiners | $73,400 | 7% | Bachelor’s |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $62,740 | 5% | Associate or Trade |
| Flight Attendants | $56,270 | 17% | High School Diploma |
Online Associate and Graduate Degrees
In addition to the many bachelor’s degrees available through online colleges in North Carolina, the state also offers access to online associate and graduate programs. With COVID-19 pushing many classes across the country online, the state strengthened its online learning infrastructure, allowing for more programs and courses in the future.
Many of North Carolina’s online schools focus on growth industries, encouraging students to take advantage of the state’s major employment sectors. For example, students can find programs in nursing, business, and information technology at the associate, bachelor’s, and graduate levels.
These programs and other online degrees provide the same training as on-campus schools, but through different delivery modes and schedules. Online students can commonly choose between asynchronous and synchronous programs, with the former providing more flexibility and the latter offering a more collaborative, real-time environment. Online programs may also offer accelerated completion schedules for learners who can handle a heavier course load.
In addition to delivery mode, online learners should consider other factors that vary with online learning. For example, students should think about tuition price differences for residents and nonresidents, on-campus residency requirements, and online transfer credit opportunities. For more information about online education, check out our online learning overview and resource guide.
