North Carolina is one of the top places you can get online education. The state is known for having some of the best online colleges in the USA. An online college is a college that allows students to study, join conversations, and complete coursework online. Online students can attend their classes and complete coursework entirely online from the comfort of their homes or wherever they may find themselves.
Distance education offers flexibility and this makes it suitable for professionals who want to advance their careers while maintaining their full-time jobs, it is also suitable for family commitments.
College education is a huge investment and since it is an investment, the ROI must match the amount invested. One of the ways you can ensure that you gain as much as you spend is by choosing the best college for your studies. To determine the best online college in North Carolina for your studies, you need to consider the cost of tuition, the programs offered, the accreditation status, and the graduation rate. Once you take these factors into cognizance and find a college that ticks the boxes, then you are well on your way to getting the best college education.
Below in this article, we have a list of the best online colleges in North Carolina, this will give you a headstart in choosing the online college that fits your academic needs.
Top 10 Online Colleges in North Carolina
1. University of North Carolina Wilmington
The University of North Carolina at Wilmington otherwise known as UNC Wilmington was founded in 1947. It was initially established as Wilmington College, it later became a part of the University of North Carolina System in 1969 and was renamed the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
At UNC Wilmington, students can choose to study on campus, hybrid, or fully online, this allows for flexibility and convenience. There are six full online bachelor’s programs in criminology, international studies, workforce learning and development, nursing, elementary education, and clinical research.
As an undergraduate student at UNC, your tuition falls around $4,443 if you are a resident of North Carolina and $19,063 if you reside outside North Carolina.
2. East Carolina University
East Carolina University (ECU) was founded in 1907. It began as a teacher training school called East Carolina Teachers Training School and has since grown into a large public research university located in Greenville, North Carolina.
Its campus at Greenville offers undergraduate transfer students the opportunity to complete their degrees online. If you have already earned some credits at a community college, this option is ideal for you. Students can study the following programs online: technology, business administration, psychology, etc.
As an undergraduate student at ECU, your tuition falls around $4,452 if you are a resident of North Carolina and $20,729 if you reside outside North Carolina.
3. Appalachian State University
Appalachian State University (App State) was founded in 1899. It was originally named Watauga Academy and was established to provide education and training for teachers. App State has since grown into a comprehensive university offering many undergraduate and graduate programs.
App State offers many majors including education, supply chain management, and advertising fully online. As an undergraduate student at App State, your tuition falls around $7,950 if you are a resident of North Carolina and $20,246 if you reside outside North Carolina. AppState Online also offers financial aid opportunities to students.
4. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, commonly referred to as UNC Charlotte, was founded in 1946. It was initially established as the Charlotte Center of the University of North Carolina to serve the educational needs of returning World War II veterans. Over time, the institution evolved, gaining university status in 1965, and is now a prominent urban research university offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
UNC Charlotte is one of the best online colleges in North Carolina, it offers online bachelor’s degrees in political science, business, engineering, respiratory therapy, and more.
The average cost of undergraduate programs at UNC Charlotte is $3,812 for in-state students and $17,936 for out-of-state students.
5. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, commonly known as UNC Greensboro or UNCG, was founded in 1891. It was originally established as the State Normal and Industrial School, it was created to train women to become teachers and to contribute to the industrial development of the state.
UNCG has evolved into a coeducational institution and one of the largest universities in the UNC system. It offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs and is recognized for its strong commitment to research, community engagement, and academic excellence.
Students can choose majors in business, health, humanities and social sciences, and arts and sciences. These can be taken fully online. The average cost of undergraduate programs in UNC Greensboro is $4,422 for in-state students and $19,581 for out-of-state students.
6. Western Carolina University
Western Carolina University (WCU) was founded in 1889. It was originally established as a semi-public secondary school called Cullowhee Academy, it was intended to educate the youth of the western region of North Carolina. WCU has grown significantly over the years and now serves as a comprehensive public university within the University of North Carolina system.
WCU offers 12 online undergraduate programs.
The online study option is designed mainly for professional programs like emergency and disaster management, nursing, and finance. As an undergraduate student at WCU, your tuition falls around $1,000 if you are a resident of North Carolina and $5,000 if you reside outside North Carolina.
7. Campbell University
Campbell University was founded on January 5, 1887, by Baptist minister J.A. Campbell. It was originally named Buies Creek Academy and was established in the rural community of Buies Creek, North Carolina, to provide a quality education to residents. Over the years, the institution evolved, becoming Campbell Junior College in 1926, Campbell College in 1961, and finally Campbell University in 1979.
Students can choose from 17 fully online undergraduate majors including criminal justice, accounting, psychology, etc. Campbell University charges an annual tuition rate of $35,580 for both in-state and out-of-state students.
Average Cost of Attending College in North Carolina
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the average tuition and fees for in-state students at public four-year institutions in North Carolina are approximately $7,283 per year. The cost is significantly higher for out-of-state students, they pay about $23,210 per year.
In addition to tuition, other expenses such as room and board, books, supplies, and personal expenses contribute to the total cost of attendance. On average, room and board can cost around $10,000 annually, while books and supplies might add another $1,200 to $1,500 per year (UnivStats).
Most In-demand Jobs in North Carolina
Here are some of the most in-demand jobs in North Carolina, including their projected growth rates, median annual wages for 2023, and minimum educational requirements:-
| Job | Projected Growth Rate | Median Annual Wage (2023) | Minimum Educational Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | 22% | $112,000 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Registered Nurses | 9% | $77,600 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 32% | $104,280 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Market Research Analysts | 18% | $71,570 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Information Security Analysts | 33% | $102,600 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Management Analysts | 14% | $87,660 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Financial Managers | 17% | $129,890 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Construction Managers | 11% | $97,180 | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Physical Therapists | 21% | $91,010 | Doctoral or Professional Degree |
| Industrial Engineers | 10% | $88,950 | Bachelor’s Degree |
These figures provide an overview of the promising job opportunities in North Carolina, emphasizing sectors with high growth and competitive salaries.