Top Rated North Carolina Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in North Carolina for 2023

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in North Carolina as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2023 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.


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

#9 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 31,641enrollment
  • $10,038net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1380SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.83Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 5

North Carolina State University at Raleigh
N
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#22 Best Public Universities in America

  • 36,831enrollment
  • $14,600net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1440SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA

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

  • 1,119enrollment
  • $11,940net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1380SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

University of North Carolina at Wilmington
N
Wilmington, NC
University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 18,030enrollment
  • $17,946net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1330SAT range
  • 24-28ACT range
  • 3.56Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

University of North Carolina at Asheville
N
Asheville, NC
University of North Carolina at Asheville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 3,233enrollment
  • $13,854net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1330SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

University of North Carolina at Charlotte
N
Charlotte, NC
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 30,448enrollment
  • $16,029net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Appalachian State University
A
Boone, NC
Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 20,641enrollment
  • $10,687net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 31

University of North Carolina at Greensboro
N
Greensboro, NC
University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 19,038enrollment
  • $9,853net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1095-1260SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

East Carolina University
E
Greenville, NC
East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 28,021enrollment
  • $15,403net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

Western Carolina University
W
Cullowhee, NC
Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,877enrollment
  • $13,221net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC
North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,953enrollment
  • $13,324net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

North Carolina A & T State University
N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,322enrollment
  • $9,541net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Winston Salem State University
W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC
Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 5,226enrollment
  • $11,868net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 880-1040SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Elizabeth City State University
E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC
Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,054enrollment
  • $3,270net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 860-1070SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA

University of North Carolina at Pembroke
N
Pembroke, NC
University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 8,318enrollment
  • $10,069net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 15

Fayetteville State University
F
HBCU
Fayetteville, NC
 
Fayetteville State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#16 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 6,748enrollment
  • $7,016net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 830-1040SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 1