University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best programs in North Carolina.
The state of North Carolina has five million people employed in the civilian workforce (those who don’t work for the government). Employment has been increasing since late 2021 and had previously been increasing prior to the pandemic. The unemployment rate was approaching 5% but has been decreasing since the last quarter of 2021 and is now at 3.5% Most industries have reported an increase in employment, with business and finance, manufacturing, and construction seeing the largest increases. The median income for a North Carolina resident is $28,836, while families make an average of $54,602.
Now, while these all might seem like dry, unimportant numbers, it’s important to understand the economy of the state in which you will be living and working, at least a little bit. An upward or downward trend in an industry may change your plans when it comes to college. Make sure that you know what’s going on in your industry of choice before signing on to complete a degree in that field.
Top 25 Best Online Associate & Community Colleges in North Carolina
1
Beaufort County Community College
Score: 86.12
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,540
- Out-of-State:$8,684
- Net Price: $7,279
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 1,741
- Undergrad Students: 1,741
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $45,900
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
2
Wilkes Community College
Score: 83.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,572
- Out-of-State:$8,716
- Net Price: $3,471
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 2,321
- Undergrad Students: 2,321
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,500
- Student-to-faculty: 7:1
3
Isothermal Community College
Score: 78.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,030
- Out-of-State:$6,638
- Net Price: $6,756
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 1,876
- Undergrad Students: 1,876
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,600
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
4
Wayne Community College
Score: 77.82
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,524
- Out-of-State:$8,668
- Net Price: $4,694
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 2,732
- Undergrad Students: 2,732
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $30,300
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
5
Wake Technical Community College
Score: 74.76
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,336
- Out-of-State:$7,582
- Net Price: $3,914
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 21,551
- Undergrad Students: 21,551
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $39,200
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
6
Blue Ridge Community College-Flat Rock
Score: 74.38
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,660
- Out-of-State:$8,804
- Net Price: $7,677
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 2,794
- Undergrad Students: 2,794
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $31,400
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
7
Roanoke-Chowan Community College
Score: 74.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,642
- Out-of-State:$8,786
- Net Price: $8,538
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 569
- Undergrad Students: 569
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
8
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Score: 73.07
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,537
- Out-of-State:$8,681
- Net Price: $6,286
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 3,703
- Undergrad Students: 3,703
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,300
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
9
Edgecombe Community College
Score: 72.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,640
- Out-of-State:$8,784
- Net Price: $5,996
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 28%
- Total Enrollment: 1,313
- Undergrad Students: 1,313
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $37,100
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
10
Southeastern Community College-Whiteville
Score: 72.59
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,600
- Out-of-State:$8,744
- Net Price: $2,028
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 1,228
- Undergrad Students: 1,228
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $27,900
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
11
Randolph Community College
Score: 72.56
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,416
- Out-of-State:$8,176
- Net Price: $8,104
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 2,469
- Undergrad Students: 2,469
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,200
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
12
Richmond Community College
Score: 72.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,552
- Out-of-State:$8,696
- Net Price: $4,986
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 2,290
- Undergrad Students: 2,290
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,800
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
13
Nash Community College
Score: 72.04
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,883
- Out-of-State:$8,883
- Net Price: $7,102
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 2,645
- Undergrad Students: 2,645
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $35,600
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
14
Stanly Community College
Score: 71.86
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,672
- Out-of-State:$8,816
- Net Price: $6,063
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 2,319
- Undergrad Students: 2,319
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
15
Craven Community College
Score: 71.72
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,022
- Out-of-State:$6,630
- Net Price: $6,055
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 2,701
- Undergrad Students: 2,701
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,600
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
16
Western Piedmont Community College
Score: 71.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,650
- Out-of-State:$8,794
- Net Price: $7,821
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 1,749
- Undergrad Students: 1,749
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,300
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
17
Vance-Granville Community College
Score: 71.52
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,956
- Out-of-State:$6,564
- Net Price: $3,193
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 2,814
- Undergrad Students: 2,814
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $33,400
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
18
Southwestern Community College-Sylva
Score: 71.37
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,806
- Out-of-State:$19,630
- Net Price: $8,858
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 2,256
- Undergrad Students: 2,256
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
19
Brunswick Community College
Score: 71.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,532
- Out-of-State:$8,676
- Net Price: $7,656
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 40%
- Total Enrollment: 1,678
- Undergrad Students: 1,678
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,700
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
20
James Sprunt Community College
Score: 71.23
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,592
- Out-of-State:$8,736
- Net Price: $3,907
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 1,359
- Undergrad Students: 1,359
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $29,900
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
21
Bladen Community College
Score: 68.62
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,558
- Out-of-State:$8,702
- Net Price: $9,059
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 47%
- Total Enrollment: 978
- Undergrad Students: 978
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $27,800
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
22
Davidson-Davie Community College
Score: 68.58
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $1,978
- Out-of-State:$6,586
- Net Price: $7,278
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 36%
- Total Enrollment: 3,921
- Undergrad Students: 3,921
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,400
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
23
Tri-County Community College
Score: 68.17
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,363
- Out-of-State:$8,507
- Net Price: $5,592
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 37%
- Total Enrollment: 888
- Undergrad Students: 888
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $28,200
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
24
Coastal Carolina Community College
Score: 67.95
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,462
- Out-of-State:$8,606
- Net Price: $9,278
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 38%
- Total Enrollment: 3,611
- Undergrad Students: 3,611
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $31,900
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
25
Central Carolina Community College
Score: 67.92
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,554
- Out-of-State:$8,698
- Net Price: $6,311
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 33%
- Total Enrollment: 5,231
- Undergrad Students: 5,231
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $30,500
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Top 25 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
1
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Score: 92.8
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,989
- Out-of-State:$39,330
- Net Price: $10,614
- Acceptance Rate: 17%
- Retention Rate: 96%
- Graduation Rate: 91%
- Total Enrollment: 31,705
- Undergrad Students: 20,029
- Graduate Students: 11,676
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
2
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Score: 89.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,895
- Out-of-State:$31,767
- Net Price: $14,852
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 36,700
- Undergrad Students: 26,254
- Graduate Students: 10,446
- Grads Salary: $82,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
3
North Carolina A&T State University
Score: 80.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,748
- Out-of-State:$20,408
- Net Price: $9,189
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Total Enrollment: 13,487
- Undergrad Students: 11,833
- Graduate Students: 1,654
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
4
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Score: 78.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,214
- Out-of-State:$21,876
- Net Price: $13,951
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 84%
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- Total Enrollment: 29,551
- Undergrad Students: 23,461
- Graduate Students: 6,090
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
5
Appalachian State University
Score: 75.55
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,541
- Out-of-State:$24,537
- Net Price: $13,084
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 75%
- Total Enrollment: 20,436
- Undergrad Students: 18,558
- Graduate Students: 1,878
- Grads Salary: $64,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
6
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Score: 74.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,317
- Out-of-State:$22,985
- Net Price: $18,709
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 83%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 17,843
- Undergrad Students: 14,294
- Graduate Students: 3,549
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
7
East Carolina University
Score: 74.34
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,361
- Out-of-State:$23,638
- Net Price: $14,410
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 27,151
- Undergrad Students: 21,688
- Graduate Students: 5,463
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
8
Winston-Salem State University
Score: 73.15
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,735
- Out-of-State:$17,391
- Net Price: $14,097
- Acceptance Rate: 73%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 50%
- Total Enrollment: 5,004
- Undergrad Students: 4,513
- Graduate Students: 491
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
9
Elizabeth City State University
Score: 71.63
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,412
- Out-of-State:$7,412
- Net Price: $4,120
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 42%
- Total Enrollment: 2,149
- Undergrad Students: 2,033
- Graduate Students: 116
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
10
Western Carolina University
Score: 71.35
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,532
- Out-of-State:$8,532
- Net Price: $13,022
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 11,635
- Undergrad Students: 9,956
- Graduate Students: 1,679
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
11
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Score: 70.77
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,593
- Out-of-State:$23,339
- Net Price: $10,979
- Acceptance Rate: 92%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 17,978
- Undergrad Students: 14,198
- Graduate Students: 3,780
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
12
Fayetteville State University
Score: 69.62
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,969
- Out-of-State:$7,969
- Net Price: $6,355
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 6,787
- Undergrad Students: 5,748
- Graduate Students: 1,039
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
13
Wingate University
Score: 69.44
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $40,196
- Out-of-State:$40,196
- Net Price: $18,823
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 57%
- Total Enrollment: 3,396
- Undergrad Students: 2,510
- Graduate Students: 886
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
14
Lees-McRae College
Score: 68.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $31,140
- Out-of-State:$31,140
- Net Price: $24,108
- Acceptance Rate: 61%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 46%
- Total Enrollment: 855
- Undergrad Students: 855
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
15
Queens University of Charlotte
Score: 67.67
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,285
- Out-of-State:$43,285
- Net Price: $29,459
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 1,873
- Undergrad Students: 1,317
- Graduate Students: 556
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 9:1
16
Salem College
Score: 66.87
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $32,236
- Out-of-State:$32,236
- Net Price: $18,354
- Acceptance Rate: 87%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 469
- Undergrad Students: 364
- Graduate Students: 105
- Grads Salary: $62,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
17
Catawba College
Score: 66.14
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,400
- Out-of-State:$33,400
- Net Price: $19,701
- Acceptance Rate: 67%
- Retention Rate: 65%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 1,172
- Undergrad Students: 1,094
- Graduate Students: 78
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
18
University of Mount Olive
Score: 65.68
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,950
- Out-of-State:$25,950
- Net Price: $17,878
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 2,239
- Undergrad Students: 2,019
- Graduate Students: 220
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
19
Campbell University
Score: 65.51
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $40,410
- Out-of-State:$40,410
- Net Price: $24,280
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 5,272
- Undergrad Students: 2,965
- Graduate Students: 2,307
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
20
North Carolina Central University
Score: 65.25
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,542
- Out-of-State:$19,578
- Net Price: $13,708
- Acceptance Rate: 84%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 7,553
- Undergrad Students: 5,634
- Graduate Students: 1,919
- Grads Salary: $62,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
21
Johnson C. Smith University
Score: 65.05
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,480
- Out-of-State:$20,480
- Net Price: $20,045
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 57%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 1,093
- Undergrad Students: 1,052
- Graduate Students: 41
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
22
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Score: 64.79
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,571
- Out-of-State:$7,571
- Net Price: $8,208
- Acceptance Rate: 90%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 7,666
- Undergrad Students: 5,643
- Graduate Students: 2,023
- Grads Salary: $56,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
23
Gardner-Webb University
Score: 64.7
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,450
- Out-of-State:$33,450
- Net Price: $22,339
- Acceptance Rate: 75%
- Retention Rate: 66%
- Graduation Rate: 52%
- Total Enrollment: 3,144
- Undergrad Students: 1,812
- Graduate Students: 1,332
- Grads Salary: $66,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
24
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Score: 64.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $30,900
- Out-of-State:$30,900
- Net Price: $21,843
- Acceptance Rate: 83%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 2,354
- Undergrad Students: 1,529
- Graduate Students: 825
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
25
Pfeiffer University
Score: 63.72
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,930
- Out-of-State:$33,930
- Net Price: $21,575
- Acceptance Rate: 69%
- Retention Rate: 61%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 1,076
- Undergrad Students: 683
- Graduate Students: 393
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
