According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the state’s key industries include business and finance, energy, food processing and manufacturing, and information technology. From campuses based in the Blue Ridge Mountains to the coast, online colleges in North Carolina offer the degrees you need to succeed. Our rankings can help you find your best choice.
Top 5 online schools in North Carolina: Quick facts
The 10 best online colleges in North Carolina
ZDNet’s ranking methodology assesses colleges and universities for their academic quality, affordability, reputation, and the number of available bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Our expert curation and rigorous review and editing processes ensure the most up-to-date and accurate information. Boone, NC Greenville, NC Wilmington, NC Charlotte, NC Greensboro, NC Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard. Note that for public colleges, the average annual net price given is for in-state students.
- Appalachian State UniversityBoone, North Carolina About the school: Appalachian State University offers online bachelor’s programs in communication, education, management, nursing, and veterinary technology. Master’s options include health administration, education administration, library science, social work, and an MBA.
Acceptance rate: 80% Graduation rate: 74%Avg. annual net price: $13,989Student body population: 20,023Student-to-teacher ratio: 16:1Number of bachelor degree programs: 10Number of master’s degree programs: 13Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 540-630; math 530-610 Minimum GPA: Varies by applicant statusCourse delivery method: Asynchronous; synchronous
Accreditation: Appalachian State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 2. East Carolina UniversityGreenville, North Carolina About the school: East Carolina University online students can earn degrees in such areas as business administration, communication, education, management, and industrial technology. Undergraduate programs are degree completion tracks.
Acceptance rate: 88% Graduation rate: 67% Avg. annual net price: $16,550Student body population: 28,798Student-to-teacher ratio: 19:1Number of bachelor degree programs: 26Number of master’s degree programs: 60Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 510-590; math510-580Minimum GPA: Undergraduate transfer: 2.0; graduate, program-specificCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: East Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 3. University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington, North Carolina About the school: Online bachelor’s completion programs at UNCW include clinical research, criminology, education, nursing, and interdisciplinary and international studies. Master’s students can choose such fields as business, conflict management and resolution, integrated marketing communication, and several education specialties.
Acceptance rate: 68% Graduation rate: 73% Avg. annual net price: $19,136Student body population: 17,915Student-to-teacher ratio: 17:1Number of bachelor degree programs: EightNumber of master’s degree programs: 28Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 590-660; math 570-650 Minimum GPA: Undergraduate transfer: 2.5; graduate, program-specificCourse delivery method: Asynchronous; synchronous; hybrid
Accreditation: University of North Carolina Wilmington is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 4. University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, North Carolina About the school: UNC Charlotte’s distance education offers bachelor’s degree completion programs in education, engineering, health and human services, and liberal arts and sciences. Graduate students can earn online MBAs and master’s in education, engineering, management, and nursing.
Acceptance rate: 80% Graduation rate: 59% Avg. annual net price: $17,634Student body population: 30,146Student-to-teacher ratio: 20:1Number of bachelor degree programs: EightNumber of master’s degree programs: 23Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 560-640; math 550-640Minimum GPA: Undergraduate transfer: 2.0; graduate, program-specificCourse delivery method: Asynchronous and synchronous; some programs require on-campus visits
Accreditation: University of North Carolina at Charlotte is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 5. University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, North Carolina About the school: UNCG offers online bachelor’s degrees in business, education, health, and humanities/social sciences and interdisciplinary fields. Master’s degrees include applied arts and sciences, music education, peace and conflict studies, and sustainability and environment.
Acceptance rate: 88% Graduation rate: 57% Avg. annual net price: $11,629Student body population: 19,764Student-to-teacher ratio: 16:1Number of bachelor degree programs: 13Number of master’s degree programs: 26Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 490-590; math 490-570 Minimum GPA: 2.0 for transfer students; first-year admittees avg. GPA: 3.59Course delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: University of North Carolina at Greensboro is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 6. Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, North Carolina About the school: WCU’s distance and online programs award degrees in business, criminal justice, emergency and disaster management, education, nursing, and more. Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs are available.
Acceptance rate: 48% Graduation rate: 64% Avg. annual net price: $13,924Student body population: 12,243Student-to-teacher ratio: 17:1Number of bachelor degree programs: 11Number of master’s degree programs: 12Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 510-620; math 510-600 Minimum GPA: Program-specificCourse delivery method: Primarily asynchronous; hybrid
Accreditation: Western Carolina University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 7. Campbell UniversityBuies Creek, North Carolina About the school: Baptist-affiliated Campbell University offers online bachelor’s degrees in areas including Christian studies, communications, criminal justice, cybersecurity, and liberal arts/humanities. Master’s degrees focus on business administration and teaching.
Acceptance rate: 81% Graduation rate: 47% Avg. annual net price: $26,169Student body population: 5,964Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1Number of bachelor degree programs: 18Number of master’s degree programs: TwoAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 510-610; math 500-600 Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Accelerated
Accreditation: Campbell University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 8. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State UniversityGreensboro, North Carolina About the school: Online degree-seekers at N.C. A&T can complete their bachelor’s in agricultural education, environmental health and safety, or nursing, and new students can focus on economics, geomatics, IT, liberal studies, and more. Master’s degrees include education, engineering, and technology fields.
Acceptance rate: 57% Graduation rate: 50% Avg. annual net price: $10,563Student body population: 12,753Student-to-teacher ratio: 19:1Number of bachelor degree programs: 10Number of master’s degree programs: 10Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 480-570; math480-560Minimum GPA: Varies by program or applicant statusCourse delivery method: Primarily asynchronous
Accreditation: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 9. Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville, North Carolina About the school: Fayetteville State University’s online bachelor’s degree completion and master’s degree options include business administration, criminal justice, nursing, psychology, and sociology.
Acceptance rate: 79% Graduation rate: 45% Avg. annual net price: $6,969Student body population: 6,726Student-to-teacher ratio: 17:1Number of bachelor degree programs: 15Number of master’s degree programs: FiveAvg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 430-510; math 410-490 Minimum GPA: Degree completion, 2.0; graduate, program-specificCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Fayetteville State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). 10. Gardner-Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, North Carolina About the school: Southern Baptist-affiliated Gardner-Webb University offers online bachelor’s completion programs in accounting, computer information systems, criminal justice, education, and healthcare. Graduate students can pursue MBAs, master’s in sport management, advanced nursing degrees, and education specialty areas.
Acceptance rate: 78% Graduation rate: 53% Avg. annual net price: $20,776Student body population: 3,536Student-to-teacher ratio: 13:1Number of bachelor degree programs: 10Number of master’s degree programs: 10Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Critical reading 480-580; math 465-580 Minimum GPA: Degree completion, 2.0 (RN-to-BSN: 2.5); graduate, program-specificCourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Gardner-Webb University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
In conclusion
Online colleges offer numerous fields of study for first-time college students, those who want to complete their bachelor’s, and master’s degree-seekers. Follow the links in our rankings to explore online colleges in North Carolina and compare schools’ admissions requirements, learning platforms, and online college costs.
