Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

30 Best Universities in North Carolina

Exploring the academic landscape of North Carolina, our index provides a definitive ranking of the top 30 higher education institutions. By assessing 915.4K research papers and their 35.58M citations, we reveal the most impactful research centers. Factoring in the global influence of 225.2K notable graduates, this index isolates true institutional success beyond traditional prestige.

Active Filters: North Carolina Ph.D. Clear All

Filter

Field of Study

Sub-Branch

1

Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#24 in United States #26 in North America

15% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1460 Avg SAT

1789 Founded

2

Durham, NC

Duke University

#27 in United States #29 in North America

6% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1838 Founded

3

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

4

Winston-Salem

Wake Forest University

#111 in United States #127 in North America

22% Acceptance

3,246 Enrollment

1465 Avg SAT

1834 Founded

5

Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

#174 in United States #198 in North America

89% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1155 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

6

Charlotte

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

#191 in United States #216 in North America

80% Acceptance

4,202 Enrollment

1235 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

7

Greensboro

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

#201 in United States #228 in North America

89% Acceptance

14,416 Enrollment

1253 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

8

Boone

Appalachian State University

#247 in United States #278 in North America

90% Acceptance

7,895 Enrollment

1200 Avg SAT

1899 Founded

9

Wilmington, NC

University of North Carolina Wilmington

#288 in United States #319 in North America

64% Acceptance

3,193 Enrollment

1285 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

10

Greensboro

North Carolina A&T State University

#310 in United States #344 in North America

50% Acceptance

3,242 Enrollment

1105 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

11

Cullowhee

Western Carolina University

#370 in United States #413 in North America

82% Acceptance

12,230 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1889 Founded

12

Elon

Elon University

#393 in United States #439 in North America

66% Acceptance

6,452 Enrollment

1205 Avg SAT

1889 Founded

13

Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

#445 in United States #492 in North America

87% Acceptance

2,238 Enrollment

1205 Avg SAT

1910 Founded

14

Buies Creek

Campbell University

#546 in United States #601 in North America

87% Acceptance

5,382 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

15

Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

#601 in United States #658 in North America

93% Acceptance

5,437 Enrollment

1085 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

16

High Point

High Point University

#620 in United States #679 in North America

75% Acceptance

5,135 Enrollment

1215 Avg SAT

1924 Founded

17

Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

#632 in United States #691 in North America

82% Acceptance

12,230 Enrollment

990 Avg SAT

1867 Founded

18

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem State University

#648 in United States #708 in North America

78% Acceptance

4,192 Enrollment

925 Avg SAT

1892 Founded

19

Boiling Springs

Gardner-Webb University

#1071 in United States #1146 in North America

77% Acceptance

23,556 Enrollment

1087 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

20

Wingate

Wingate University

#1074 in United States #1149 in North America

91% Acceptance

2,673 Enrollment

1110 Avg SAT

1896 Founded

21

Fayetteville, NC

Methodist University

#1082 in United States #1157 in North America

75% Acceptance

1,467 Enrollment

1165 Avg SAT

1956 Founded

22

Hickory

Lenoir-Rhyne University

#1165 in United States #1240 in North America

85% Acceptance

1,472 Enrollment

1115 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

23

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

24

Winston-Salem

Piedmont International University

#1786 in United States #1875 in North America

40% Acceptance

460 Enrollment

925 Avg SAT

1945 Founded

25

Asheville

Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts

#2169 in United States #2268 in North America

80% Acceptance

26

Cary

Shepherds Theological Seminary

#2175 in United States #2274 in North America

90% Acceptance

27

Charlotte

Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary

#2235 in United States #2336 in North America

100% Acceptance

24 Enrollment

$15,124 Net Price

28

Salisbury, NC

Hood Theological Seminary

#2287 in United States #2388 in North America

76% Acceptance

29

Winston-Salem

Carolina Christian College

#2312 in United States #2413 in North America

100% Acceptance

52 Enrollment

$21,274 Net Price

30

Fayetteville, NC

Manna University

#2347 in United States #2448 in North America

53% Acceptance

202 Enrollment

$12,736 Net Price