Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

30 Best Universities in North Carolina for Education

Focusing specifically on Education, our data science engine identified the 30 most influential universities in North Carolina. To determine these leaders, we isolated 928.5K specialized research publications which collectively generated 35.82M citations. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

Active Filters: Education North Carolina Clear All

Ranking Methodology Notice

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1

Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

For Education

#14 in United States #15 in North America

15% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1460 Avg SAT

1789 Founded

2

Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

For Education

#46 in United States #51 in North America

42% Acceptance

28,422 Enrollment

1385 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

3

Durham, NC

Duke University

For Education

#55 in United States #60 in North America

6% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1535 Avg SAT

1838 Founded

4

Charlotte

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

For Education

#80 in United States #91 in North America

80% Acceptance

4,202 Enrollment

1235 Avg SAT

1946 Founded

5

Greensboro

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

For Education

#101 in United States #113 in North America

89% Acceptance

14,416 Enrollment

1253 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

6

Winston-Salem

Wake Forest University

For Education

#191 in United States #216 in North America

22% Acceptance

3,246 Enrollment

1465 Avg SAT

1834 Founded

7

Greensboro

Greensboro College

For Education

#980 in United States #1051 in North America

70% Acceptance

6,885 Enrollment

1190 Avg SAT

1838 Founded

8

High Point

High Point University

For Education

#859 in United States #925 in North America

75% Acceptance

5,135 Enrollment

1215 Avg SAT

1924 Founded

9

Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

For Education

#111 in United States #123 in North America

89% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1155 Avg SAT

1907 Founded

10

Hickory

Lenoir-Rhyne University

For Education

#1013 in United States #1084 in North America

85% Acceptance

1,472 Enrollment

1115 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

11

Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

For Education

#627 in United States #680 in North America

93% Acceptance

5,437 Enrollment

1085 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

12

Fayetteville, NC

Methodist University

For Education

#840 in United States #906 in North America

75% Acceptance

1,467 Enrollment

1165 Avg SAT

1956 Founded

13

Asheville

University of North Carolina at Asheville

For Education

#703 in United States #763 in North America

92% Acceptance

8,791 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1927 Founded

14

Wingate

Wingate University

For Education

#715 in United States #775 in North America

91% Acceptance

2,673 Enrollment

1110 Avg SAT

1896 Founded

15

Buies Creek

Campbell University

For Education

#837 in United States #903 in North America

87% Acceptance

5,382 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1887 Founded

16

Boiling Springs

Gardner-Webb University

For Education

#861 in United States #927 in North America

77% Acceptance

23,556 Enrollment

1087 Avg SAT

1905 Founded

17

Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

For Education

#519 in United States #569 in North America

87% Acceptance

2,238 Enrollment

1205 Avg SAT

1910 Founded

18

Elizabeth City

Elizabeth City State University

For Education

#1042 in United States #1114 in North America

64% Acceptance

3,242 Enrollment

1000 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

19

Davidson

Davidson College

For Education

#588 in United States #640 in North America

13% Acceptance

1,869 Enrollment

1465 Avg SAT

1837 Founded

20

Raleigh

Meredith College

For Education

#1047 in United States #1119 in North America

74% Acceptance

1,206 Enrollment

1223 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

21

Elon

Elon University

For Education

#287 in United States #321 in North America

66% Acceptance

6,452 Enrollment

1205 Avg SAT

1889 Founded

22

Greensboro

Guilford College

For Education

#935 in United States #1004 in North America

80% Acceptance

4,709 Enrollment

1190 Avg SAT

1837 Founded

23

Cullowhee

Western Carolina University

For Education

#257 in United States #288 in North America

82% Acceptance

12,230 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1889 Founded

24

Charlotte

Queens University of Charlotte

For Education

#699 in United States #758 in North America

62% Acceptance

1,225 Enrollment

1240 Avg SAT

1857 Founded

25

Greensboro

North Carolina A&T State University

For Education

#333 in United States #369 in North America

50% Acceptance

3,242 Enrollment

1105 Avg SAT

1891 Founded

26

Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem State University

For Education

#436 in United States #483 in North America

78% Acceptance

4,192 Enrollment

925 Avg SAT

1892 Founded

27

Wilmington, NC

University of North Carolina Wilmington

For Education

#216 in United States #244 in North America

64% Acceptance

3,193 Enrollment

1285 Avg SAT

1947 Founded

28

Winston-Salem

Piedmont International University

For Education

#901 in United States #969 in North America

40% Acceptance

460 Enrollment

925 Avg SAT

1945 Founded

29

Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

For Education

#561 in United States #613 in North America

82% Acceptance

12,230 Enrollment

990 Avg SAT

1867 Founded

30

Boone

Appalachian State University

For Education

#177 in United States #201 in North America

90% Acceptance

7,895 Enrollment

1200 Avg SAT

1899 Founded