Top Rated North Carolina Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in North Carolina for 2025

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in North Carolina as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the best public college in North Carolina is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.
North Carolina Public 4 year

16 results

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Chapel Hill, NC

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in America

  • 32,234enrollment
  • $11,140net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1530SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.83Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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North Carolina State University at Raleigh
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N
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#20 Best Public Universities in America

  • 37,323enrollment
  • $14,860net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of North Carolina School of the Arts
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Winston-Salem, NC

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $11,163net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1350SAT range
  • 24-27ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 15

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University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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Wilmington, NC

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,987enrollment
  • $18,606net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1360SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of North Carolina at Asheville
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Asheville, NC

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,925enrollment
  • $14,175net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 30,298enrollment
  • $13,768net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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East Carolina University
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E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 26,785enrollment
  • $14,470net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

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Appalachian State University
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A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 21,253enrollment
  • $14,712net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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N
Greensboro, NC

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,743enrollment
  • $10,592net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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Western Carolina University
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Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,628enrollment
  • $12,252net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

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North Carolina A & T State University
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HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,885enrollment
  • $10,258net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 960-1190SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1

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Winston Salem State University
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HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 4,776enrollment
  • $12,948net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

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Elizabeth City State University
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HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,165enrollment
  • $7,363net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

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University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,630enrollment
  • $9,687net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

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North Carolina Central University
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HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,965enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 980-1100SAT range
  • 17-18ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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Fayetteville State University
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HBCU
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 6,847enrollment
  • $7,298net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 855-1045SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

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