Top Rated North Carolina Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in North Carolina for 2021

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in North Carolina as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2021 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
N
Chapel Hill, NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#12 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 30,011enrollment
  • $10,085net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1500SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 4.6Avg GPA
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North Carolina State University at Raleigh
N
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in America

  • 35,479enrollment
  • $14,958net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1420SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 4.37Avg GPA
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University of North Carolina School of the Arts
N
Winston-Salem, NC
University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 1,042enrollment
  • $12,579net price
  • 29%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
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University of North Carolina at Wilmington
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N
Wilmington, NC
University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 16,747enrollment
  • $17,981net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1320SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 4.06Avg GPA
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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N
Charlotte, NC
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 29,710enrollment
  • $15,200net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1290SAT range
  • 22-26ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA
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University of North Carolina at Asheville
N
Asheville, NC
University of North Carolina at Asheville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 3,762enrollment
  • $13,388net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.98Avg GPA
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Appalachian State University
A
Boone, NC
Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 19,108enrollment
  • $10,525net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 4.05Avg GPA
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East Carolina University
E
Greenville, NC
East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 28,718enrollment
  • $13,635net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1190SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
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University of North Carolina at Greensboro
N
Greensboro, NC
University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 20,106enrollment
  • $11,108net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1180SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
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Western Carolina University
W
Cullowhee, NC
Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,639enrollment
  • $12,965net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
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Winston Salem State University
W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 5,190enrollment
  • $11,783net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1030SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA
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Elizabeth City State University
E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC
Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 1,677enrollment
  • $2,465net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 875-1050SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA
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North Carolina A & T State University
N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 12,142enrollment
  • $9,097net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 2.68Avg GPA
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Fayetteville State University
F
HBCU
Fayetteville, NC
 
Fayetteville State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 6,318enrollment
  • $5,587net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 870-1010SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA
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North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC
North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 8,207enrollment
  • $13,755net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1050SAT range
  • 17-19ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
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University of North Carolina at Pembroke
N
Pembroke, NC
University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,137enrollment
  • $9,888net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 930-1080SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA
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