Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

17 Best Universities in North Carolina

Exploring the academic landscape of North Carolina, our index provides a definitive ranking of the top 17 higher education institutions. By assessing 173.5K research papers and their 5.24M citations, we reveal the most impactful research centers. Factoring in the global influence of 41.6K notable graduates, this index isolates true institutional success beyond traditional prestige.

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1

Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

#44 in United States #47 in North America

42% Acceptance

28,422 Enrollment

1385 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

2

Buies Creek

Campbell University

#546 in United States #601 in North America

87% Acceptance

5,382 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

3

Boiling Springs

Gardner-Webb University

#1071 in United States #1146 in North America

77% Acceptance

23,556 Enrollment

1087 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

4

Fayetteville, NC

Methodist University

#1082 in United States #1157 in North America

75% Acceptance

1,467 Enrollment

1165 Avg SAT

1956 Founded

5

Wake Forest

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

#1331 in United States #1409 in North America

75% Acceptance

1,183 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

$16,031 Net Price

6

Salisbury, NC

Livingstone College

#1426 in United States #1511 in North America

59% Acceptance

63,012 Enrollment

940 Avg SAT

1879 Founded

7

Concord, NC

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

#1434 in United States #1519 in North America

23% Acceptance

816 Enrollment

22 Avg ACT

1942 Founded

8

Murfreesboro, NC

Chowan University

#1519 in United States #1605 in North America

69% Acceptance

603 Enrollment

1848 Founded

$15,206 Net Price

9

Mount Olive

University of Mount Olive

#1556 in United States #1642 in North America

76% Acceptance

1,944 Enrollment

1165 Avg SAT

1951 Founded

10

Montreat

Montreat College

#1597 in United States #1684 in North America

69% Acceptance

781 Enrollment

1035 Avg SAT

1916 Founded

11

Winston-Salem

Piedmont International University

#1786 in United States #1875 in North America

40% Acceptance

460 Enrollment

925 Avg SAT

1945 Founded

12

Elizabeth City

Mid-Atlantic Christian University

#1981 in United States #2074 in North America

62% Acceptance

140 Enrollment

1020 Avg SAT

1948 Founded

13

Wilmington, NC

Platt College-Miller-Motte-Wilmington

#2129 in United States #2226 in North America

100% Acceptance

46 Enrollment

$22,321 Net Price

14

Fayetteville, NC

Carolina College of Biblical Studies

#2200 in United States #2299 in North America

100% Acceptance

159 Enrollment

$13,745 Net Price

15

Charlotte

Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary

#2235 in United States #2336 in North America

100% Acceptance

24 Enrollment

$15,124 Net Price

16

Winston-Salem

Carolina Christian College

#2312 in United States #2413 in North America

100% Acceptance

52 Enrollment

$21,274 Net Price

17

Fayetteville, NC

Manna University

#2347 in United States #2448 in North America

53% Acceptance

202 Enrollment

$12,736 Net Price