Top Rated North Carolina Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in North Carolina for 2023

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in North Carolina. Leading the rankings for 2023 as the highest ranked private college in North Carolina is Duke University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


18 results

Duke University
D
Durham, NC

Duke University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#3 Best Colleges in America

  • 17,620enrollment
  • $26,932net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1468-1558SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.94Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

Davidson College
D
Davidson, NC

Davidson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,973enrollment
  • $28,615net price
  • 18%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

Elon University
E
Elon, NC

Elon University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 7,127enrollment
  • $39,401net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.65Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

Queens University of Charlotte
Q
Charlotte, NC

Queens University of Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,063enrollment
  • $25,756net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1238SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.41Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1

Meredith College
M
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,711enrollment
  • $25,357net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1098-1273SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Campbell University
C
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 5,622enrollment
  • $26,299net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA

Catawba College
C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,207enrollment
  • $18,657net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA

Pfeiffer University
P
Misenheimer, NC

Pfeiffer University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,122enrollment
  • $22,121net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 891-1165SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Gardner Webb University
G
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,441enrollment
  • $20,363net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 960-1215SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA

Methodist University
M
Fayetteville, NC
 

Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,916enrollment
  • $31,730net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1230SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Guilford College
G
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,198enrollment
  • $24,640net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 950-1200SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Montreat College
M
Montreat, NC
 

Montreat College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,013enrollment
  • $23,906net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

North Carolina Wesleyan College
N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,531enrollment
  • $16,772net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Johnson C Smith University
J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,166enrollment
  • $20,468net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA

Mount Olive College
M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,288enrollment
  • $14,805net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 15

Barton College
B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,213enrollment
  • $24,111net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Belmont Abbey College
B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,517enrollment
  • $22,333net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1028-1206SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Saint Augustines College
S
HBCU
Raleigh, NC

Saint Augustines College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,261enrollment
  • $18,662net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 780-940SAT range
  • 12-16ACT range
  • 2.5Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1