Colleges in North Carolina
Why go to College in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a long history of educational firsts. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill opened in 1795 as the first public university in the country. Salem College, founded in 1772, is the country's oldest continually operating educational institution for women. Shaw University was both the first historically black college in the South and the first HBCU to become coeducational. Finally, Guilford College was the first coeducational college in the South. The state boasts 188 public and private colleges, so students should be able to find one that matches their education goals, price point, and desired environment.
What Options are Available for Colleges in North Carolina?
On-Campus
There are several benefits of an on-campus college experience. Attending classes in person can sometimes help students stay on track with their studies, as it provides more accountability than studying online. Additionally, some students feel that they learn better in a classroom; listening to a lecture and asking questions throughout can be beneficial, as well as seeing the professor face-to-face multiple times per week. Students who want to experience campus life, including extracurricular activities and events, should certainly consider an on-campus program. The ideal student for an on-campus program is someone who can attend classes during the weekdays, as most colleges have limited night and weekend class options, and who likes learning and interacting with peers in a traditional classroom environment.
Online Programs
Online courses can be completed remotely without any requirements to attend classes on campus. Courses are typically offered through an online platform, where students can access coursework and turn in assignments. Many online classes have attendance requirements, which is determined through the time spent logged into the course and participation in online posts and responses to classmates. While on-campus students receive instruction through a lecture, online deliver coursework using the following methods: reading materials, a video or livestream of the professor giving the lecture, or an online presentation.
One of the main benefits of online programs is flexibility. Students usually have the freedom to log in and complete coursework whenever is best for their schedule, instead of having to attend class at a certain time each day. Distance learning also eliminates a student's commute, leaving them more time for completing coursework or spending time with their family. Students can complete online programs that are offered by schools throughout the country without having to relocate. However, online students must be self-motivated or else they risk falling behind on their coursework.
Hybrid Programs
A hybrid program includes both online and on-campus courses. The ratio of online to on-campus courses varies from program to program. Some universities may allow most classes to be completed online, while others may require that most courses be completed on-campus. Some programs require short on-campus intensives that can be completed in one or two weeks, typically during a summer term.
The theory behind hybrid programs is that some material should be taught in a face-to-face environment, rather than online. For example, students in a medical program may be able to complete lecture and seminar classes online, but will need to come to campus to take lab-focused courses.
Popular Degree Programs in North Carolina
A state's main industries usually reflect the most popular majors in the state . North Carolina is known for its energy, business and financial services, aerospace and defense, automotive manufacturing, and plastics and chemicals industries. As such, two of the most popular degree programs are nuclear engineering and business management and administration.
Nuclear Engineering With an energy sector in the state that includes both nuclear energy and smart grids, it's no surprise that nuclear engineering is one of the most popular majors in North Carolina. Nuclear engineering majors study a variety of topics, including radiation, nuclear risk assessment, and thermodynamics. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in aerospace engineering, energy, and medicine.
Business Management and Administration This degree is the most common major in North Carolina, which is no surprise given that the state is the third-largest financial center in the country. Business management and administration students enroll in classes on subjects such as accounting, economics, finance, and leadership. Major companies with headquarters in the state include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, AT&T, and Microsoft.
Source: Business Insider
What Are the Best Online Colleges in North Carolina?
Choosing the right online school in North Carolina can be difficult, especially since there are many institutions in the state that offer distance learning programs. The process of visiting each school's website, verifying that they offer online programs, and looking into their tuition rates can be very time consuming. This list of the best online colleges in North Carolina can help you find the right fit for your online education needs. Now that we've tackled the details on scholarships, cost of living, and different regions, we can explore the best online schools in North Carolina.
Top 25 Online Colleges in North Carolina for 2019
Admissions Rate
31%
Graduation Rate
90%
Online Enrollment
4%
Retention Rate
97%
Default Rate
2%
The University of North Carolina, chartered in 1789, is one of the nation's oldest public universities and ranks fifth on U.S. News and World Report's list of top public schools. The school receives over $585 million dollars in federal funding for research. UNC is also dedicated to providing accessible education through the Carolina Covenant program, which helps low-income students pay for college without student loans. UNC's distance education program offers 13 graduate degrees, nine certificates, and courses from 27 departments. More than 60 courses are completely online and self-paced. Individual courses are open to students not affiliated with UNC and those wishing to transfer credits without an application process. The school is one of the best online colleges in North Carolina.
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What Are the Best Online Community Colleges in North Carolina?
The main difference between a community college and a university is the type of degree that each school offers. Community colleges offers two-year associate degrees, while universities offer four-year bachelor's programs as well as graduate degrees. Community colleges are well known for their affordability, especially when compared to universities. It is common for some students to study for one or two years at a community college before transferring their credits into a four-year program at a university. Many community colleges now offer online programs, so read on to find the best online colleges in NC offering two-year degrees.
Top 25 Online Community Colleges in North Carolina for 2019
Graduation Rate
29%
Online Enrollment
53%
Retention Rate
59%
Default Rate
0%
Centrally located in Albermarle, North Carolina, Stanly Community College contributes to its local community through more than 30 academic programs that the school makes accessible on campus and online. The school promotes career readiness and economic advancement through programs that emphasize diversity and integrity. Online students may pursue a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. In addition to offering associate degrees, such as a degree in human services and information technology business support , the college features a transferable associate in arts degree that allows students to seamlessly transfer to any bachelor's program offered by a North Carolina college. Prospective students complete a three-step orientation process that concludes with course registration.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in North Carolina
North Carolina spends more money per full-time student than the average state in the U.S. What's more, North Carolina has the third-largest percentage of tax revenue allocated to higher education (11%), behind only New Mexico and Wyoming. North Carolina has a slightly higher than average percentage of students with an associate degree, while those with a graduate or professional degree is slightly below the national average. When it comes to students with a bachelor's degree, North Carolina is in line with the national average.
| North Carolina | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $8,894 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 11% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 9% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 18.4% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 9.9% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in North Carolina
The cost of your education should always be a consideration when choosing one of the many online schools in NC. This is true whether you plan to be an on-campus student or attend one of North Carolina's online schools. You will have to weigh the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and books against any potential scholarships or financial aid that you may receive. Public college tuition in North Carolina is below the national average, but you'll also have to consider cost of living, which includes rent, housing, and food costs.
Tuition Prices
While the in-state tuition for public two-year and four-year institutions in North Carolina is below the national average, there are many other factors to consider when determining the cost of an education. Additional expenses can include books as well as fees for student activities, the gym, or lab classes. Housing expenses can include either on-campus dorms and a meal plan, or rent and grocery costs for off-campus students. Commuters must also consider transportation fees.
Financial Aid
Financial aid for college can include need or merit-based scholarships, grants, work study opportunities, and student loans. All students entering college should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA must be completed to determine a student's eligibility for federal financial aid, with some colleges also requiring the FAFSA to qualify for need-based institutional scholarships.
Financial aid from the government can include grants, loans, and work study opportunities. Federal student loans must be paid back with interest, although they offer deferred payment plans and much lower interest rates than private loans. Grants and scholarships do not have to be repaid, so try to take advantage of these first. A work study provides a student with a part-time job, which allows them to earn money to help pay education expenses. Students should also look for private scholarships, which may vary based on future degree and college of choice or personal circumstances.
Cost for Online Programs in North Carolina
Financial aid is also available to students who plan to attend online schools in North Carolina. Prospective online students should always complete the FAFSA to become eligible for federal aid. Many online universities offer merit- and need-based scholarships to distance learners, just as they do for on-campus students. Online programs also eliminate costs associated with transportation, fees for on-campus services, and some textbook costs, though this varies for program to program.
Tuition for online programs is often the same or lower than for on-campus programs, particularly at private colleges. Students from other states considering online colleges in North Carolina should be aware that only some public colleges allow online students to take advantage of in-state tuition rates, while others will charge the out-of-state tuition.
Cost of Living by Region
College expenses and the cost of living can vary greatly depending on where you choose to study. Cost of living includes all housing, food, transportation, and entertainment expenses. If your expenses are high, then it may be wise to take out a loan to fund your education. The table below compares the housing costs in two popular North Carolina cities with those in three other major cities around the U.S. that have a similar quantity of colleges.
Scholarships for North Carolina College Students
Can All Scholarships Be Used for Online Programs?
Most scholarships can be used for both on-campus programs and online schools in NC. However, some private scholarships might have stipulations that students have to meet, such as attending full-time, maintaining a certain GPA, or completing a specific major. In all cases, whether the scholarship is from a university or an outside source, make sure to read the details to ensure that you are applying for scholarships that fit your educational goals.
Employment Outlook in North Carolina
The employment outlook in North Carolina is similar to the rest of the U.S., though the unemployment rate and annual median wage are slightly lower. The state's top industries are finance, insurance, real estate, government, and professional and business services. North Carolina is a business-friendly state that has a low corporate income tax, which has led to many businesses and financial institutions choosing it for their headquarters. The state government is the largest employer, which is not surprising given the large number of state universities and hospitals. Other popular employment areas in North Carolina include biotechnology, automotive, aerospace, furniture, and information technology.
Top Employers and Industries in North Carolina
Top Industries in North Carolina
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Rental, and Leasing: In 2016, this industry accounted for 19.2% of the GDP in North Carolina. Many financial companies, such as Bank of America, have headquarters in the state as North Carolina because it has the lowest corporate income tax rate in the region.
Government: This industry, which includes federal, state, and local government, accounted for 13.3% of North Carolina's GDP in 2016. The state government is the state's largest employer , employing people at agencies, branches, and various universities.
Professional & Business Services: Over the past three years, this industry has accounted for more than one in four new jobs in the state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , this supersector consists of professional, scientific, and technical services, management of companies and enterprises, and administrative support and waste management services.
Top Employers in North Carolina
North Carolina State Government 133,000 employees
Walmart Associates Inc 58,103 employees
Duke University 37,142 employees
Accreditation for Colleges in North Carolina
Online colleges in NC may be either regionally or nationally accredited. Regional accreditation is considered more prestigious than national accreditation. The regional accreditation body for the state is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. This accrediting body is responsible for determining if a college has met certain academic standards and whether or not they deserve accreditation. There are also national accrediting agencies for colleges in this state. Nationally recognized accrediting agencies are generally focused on a specific trade or career path, so they accredit colleges across the country, not just in a certain region. One national accreditor is the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, which specifically focuses on online colleges.
Regional accreditation is considered more prestigious than national accreditation.
There are several reasons why it is important to study at an accredited school. Studying at a regionally accredited institution will allow you to transfer your credits to another school. There are also many graduate programs that require students to have earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally-accredited college to be considered. Finally, colleges that are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education can receive federal financial aid.
Resources for Students in North Carolina
North Carolina Services and Information: Education : This website provides information regarding financial aid, grants, and education assistance for veterans. There are also various college resources such as a search feature that helps students find their local community college out of the 58 located across the state.
College Foundation of North Carolina : CFNC provides students, parents, adult learners, and military members with information on SAT/ACT prep help, FAFSA completion assistance, and applying to colleges in North Carolina.
North Carolina Public Schools, Career & College Promise : The CCP is a dual enrollment program for high school students that allows them to enroll in community colleges and universities in North Carolina through their high school in order to earn college credit.
University of North Carolina: State Residence : If you're confused about whether you qualify as a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes, check out this section of the UNC system's website. It features both a state residence classification manual and a link to a residency determination system.
eLearningNC : Students interested in attending online colleges in North Carolina should check out this resource, which provides information about eLearning in the state for all stages of education. Specific information includes preparation and payment resources for eLearning programs.
NCCCS Virtual Learning Community : The VLC allows students to search online and hybrid courses offered through the 58 institutions that comprise the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). Students can also request assistance regarding their distance learning opportunities.
NCCCS Disability Resource Guide : This PDF provides information regarding both college and student responsibilities, as well as a list of disabilities and the recommended accommodations, and documentation guidelines divided by disability. There is also a section on the transition from high school to college.