How does FindMySchool.ai work?

FindMySchool.ai analyzes over 6,400 U.S. colleges using verified federal data from the College Scorecard and IPEDS. Students answer a short questionnaire about their academics, personal interests, goals, location preferences, and budget. Our AI then generates a personalized report with ranked school recommendations, financial fit estimates, admissions factor analysis, and career outcome data.

How much does FindMySchool.ai cost?

FindMySchool.ai provides the same quality of college guidance that private counselors charge $5,000–$15,000 for — starting at just $29 per report.

What data sources does FindMySchool.ai use?

FindMySchool.ai uses U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), Common Data Set submissions from individual colleges, and Clery Act campus safety statistics. All data is from official federal and institutional sources.

How is FindMySchool.ai different from College Confidential or Niche?

Unlike ranking sites or review platforms, FindMySchool.ai builds a personalized match for each student using their interests, goals, and priorities — not generic rankings. Recommendations include financial fit estimates by family income, admissions factor importance (from each school's Common Data Set), career outcome data by intended major, and AI-generated counselor-quality profiles explaining why each school fits that specific student.

What is the Common Data Set?

The Common Data Set (CDS) is a standardized survey that U.S. colleges complete annually, reporting admissions factors, test score ranges, cost information, graduation rates, and more. FindMySchool.ai uses CDS Section C7 data to identify which admissions factors each college rates as 'Very Important' — including whether demonstrated interest affects admissions decisions.

Best Colleges in North Carolina (2026)

175 colleges ranked by graduate earnings, acceptance rates, and outcomes — powered by federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.

175

Colleges

$39,366

Avg Earnings (10yr)

$14,622

Avg Net Price

70%

Avg Admit Rate

47%

Avg Grad Rate

State Overview

North Carolina is home to 175 colleges and universities, ranging from research universities to community colleges. Duke University leads the state in graduate earnings, with state alumni earning $39,366 on average ten years after enrollment. Whether you're looking for a flagship research university, a liberal arts college, or a career-focused program, North Carolina offers diverse options across all price points.

Quick Facts — North Carolina Colleges

Highest Earning

Duke University

$97,800median earnings

Most Selective

Duke University

7%acceptance rate

Best Grad Rate

Duke University

96%6-yr grad rate

Most Affordable

Wilkes Community College

-$28avg net price

Top 10 Colleges in North Carolina by Graduate Earnings

Ranked by median earnings 10 years after enrollment. Public and private nonprofit only.

Duke University

Durham·Private Nonprofit

Admit

Net Price

$34,454

Grad Rate

96%

Earnings

$97,800

Davidson College

Davidson·Private Nonprofit

Admit

14%

Net Price

$18,127

Grad Rate

92%

Earnings

$81,400

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem·Private Nonprofit

Admit

22%

Net Price

$28,746

Grad Rate

90%

Earnings

$78,158

Elon University

Elon·Private Nonprofit

Admit

67%

Net Price

$41,048

Grad Rate

83%

Earnings

$74,545

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill·Public

Admit

19%

Net Price

$12,983

Grad Rate

92%

Earnings

$72,200

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh·Public

Admit

40%

Net Price

$16,931

Grad Rate

85%

Earnings

$68,758

Carolinas College of Health Sciences

Charlotte·Public

Admit

81%

Net Price

N/A

Grad Rate

N/A

Earnings

$64,624

High Point University

High Point·Private Nonprofit

Admit

77%

Net Price

$40,721

Grad Rate

69%

Earnings

$61,389

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

Concord·Private Nonprofit

Admit

49%

Net Price

$17,271

Grad Rate

47%

Earnings

$58,708

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte·Private Nonprofit

Admit

68%

Net Price

$27,786

Grad Rate

67%

Earnings

$57,673

Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina

Lowest average net price after grants and scholarships. Public and private nonprofit only.

#1 Most AffordablePublic

Wilkes Community College

Wilkesboro, NC

-$28/ yr avg net

54% grad rate

#2 Most AffordablePublic

Cleveland Community College

Shelby, NC

$414/ yr avg net

25% grad rate

#3 Most AffordablePublic

Central Carolina Community College

Sanford, NC

$616/ yr avg net

36% grad rate

#4 Most AffordablePublic

Durham Technical Community College

Durham, NC

$1,183/ yr avg net

30% grad rate

#5 Most AffordablePublic

Rockingham Community College

Wentworth, NC

$2,380/ yr avg net

25% grad rate

Popular Majors

Compare the best colleges for top fields of study — ranked by graduate earnings nationwide.

Business Administration Accounting Marketing Finance Business International Business Computer Science Computer & Information Science Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Civil Engineering View all majors

Personalized Match

Find your best-fit North Carolina college

Get a personalized report based on your interests, goals, and what matters most to you — in minutes.

Find my North Carolina college

All Colleges in North Carolina

All 175 accredited institutions. Click column headers to sort.

School	City	Type	Admit Rate	Net Price	Grad Rate	Earnings (10yr)
Alamance Community College	Graham	Public	N/A	$16,465	31%	$34,241
Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design	Greenville	Private For-Profit	N/A	$14,976	79%	N/A
Appalachian State University	Boone	Public	89%	$16,487	74%	$51,836
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College	Asheville	Public	N/A	$12,851	32%	$36,048
Aveda Institute-Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill	Private For-Profit	N/A	$21,152	73%	$26,873
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte	Charlotte	Private For-Profit	N/A	$21,256	54%	$42,759
Barton College	Wilson	Private Nonprofit	96%	$23,665	49%	$47,913
Beaufort County Community College	Washington	Public	N/A	$5,105	41%	$32,519
Belmont Abbey College	Belmont	Private Nonprofit	90%	$23,613	47%	$47,937
Bennett College	Greensboro	Private Nonprofit	34%	$22,858	20%	$36,654
Beyond Measure Barbering Institute	Mebane	Private For-Profit	N/A	$11,406	76%	N/A
Bladen Community College	Dublin	Public	N/A	$7,858	38%	$30,591
Blue Ridge Community College	Flat Rock	Public	N/A	$8,829	44%	$36,324
Brevard College	Brevard	Private Nonprofit	40%	$21,376	37%	$43,545
Brunswick Community College	Bolivia	Public	N/A	$8,785	43%	$36,668
Bull City Durham Beauty and Barber College	Durham	Private For-Profit	N/A	$11,417	N/A	N/A
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences	Concord	Private Nonprofit	49%	$17,271	47%	$58,708
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute	Hudson	Public	N/A	$5,517	40%	$34,515
Campbell University	Buies Creek	Private Nonprofit	94%	$23,991	56%	$54,886
Cape Fear Community College	Wilmington	Public	N/A	$5,416	31%	$38,654
Carolina Christian College	Winston Salem	Private Nonprofit	N/A	$11,448	N/A	$40,672
Carolina College of Biblical Studies	Fayetteville	Private Nonprofit	N/A	$18,745	N/A	$24,581
Carolina College of Hair Design Inc	Asheville	Private For-Profit	N/A	$13,922	81%	N/A
Carolina University	Winston-Salem	Private Nonprofit	34%	$18,866	30%	$32,864
Carolinas College of Health Sciences	Charlotte	Public	81%	N/A	N/A	$64,624
Carteret Community College	Morehead City	Public	N/A	$11,889	38%	$33,357
Catawba College	Salisbury	Private Nonprofit	78%	$18,210	54%	$48,793
Catawba Valley Community College	Hickory	Public	N/A	$9,415	33%	$36,977
Center for Massage	Asheville	Private For-Profit	N/A	$16,242	84%	$19,244
Central Carolina Community College	Sanford	Public	N/A	$616	36%	$33,525
Central Piedmont Community College	Charlotte	Public	N/A	$3,660	24%	$37,865
Chamberlain University-North Carolina	Charlotte	Private For-Profit	67%	$21,664	N/A	$92,405
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary	Charlotte	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$33,696
Chowan University	Murfreesboro	Private Nonprofit	72%	$16,189	27%	$38,412
Cleveland Community College	Shelby	Public	N/A	$414	25%	$33,755
Coastal Carolina Community College	Jacksonville	Public	N/A	$7,779	40%	$36,444
College of the Albemarle	Elizabeth City	Public	N/A	$4,751	41%	$33,234
College of Wilmington	Wilmington	Private For-Profit	N/A	$14,063	37%	$19,235
Craven Community College	New Bern	Public	N/A	$4,402	41%	$34,231
Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts	Asheville	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Davidson College	Davidson	Private Nonprofit	14%	$18,127	92%	$81,400
Davidson-Davie Community College	Thomasville	Public	N/A	$7,258	39%	$36,337
Duke University	Durham	Private Nonprofit	7%	$34,454	96%	$97,800
Durham Technical Community College	Durham	Public	N/A	$1,183	30%	$36,142
East Carolina University	Greenville	Public	90%	$16,514	64%	$55,146
ECPI University-Charlotte	Charlotte	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
ECPI University-Greensboro	Greensboro	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
ECPI University-Raleigh	Raleigh	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
Edgecombe Community College	Tarboro	Public	N/A	$6,073	34%	$33,267
Elevate Salon Institute	Durham	Private For-Profit	N/A	$23,554	63%	$28,934
Elizabeth City State University	Elizabeth City	Public	70%	$7,237	46%	$40,026
Elon University	Elon	Private Nonprofit	67%	$41,048	83%	$74,545
Empire Beauty School-Charlotte	Charlotte	Private For-Profit	N/A	$16,126	48%	$24,022
Empire Beauty School-Concord	Concord	Private For-Profit	N/A	$15,759	41%	$23,925
Empire Beauty School-Pineville	Charlotte	Private For-Profit	N/A	$16,090	47%	$23,925
Empire Beauty School-West Greensboro	Greensboro	Private For-Profit	N/A	$16,625	41%	$24,407
Empire Beauty School-Winston-Salem	Winston-Salem	Private For-Profit	N/A	$15,478	17%	$24,397
Fayetteville State University	Fayetteville	Public	80%	$7,360	39%	$40,144
Fayetteville Technical Community College	Fayetteville	Public	N/A	$3,723	19%	$31,861
Forsyth Technical Community College	Winston-Salem	Public	N/A	$6,342	28%	$34,139
Galen Health Institutes-Asheville	Asheville	Private For-Profit	N/A	$77,180	N/A	$61,480
Gardner-Webb University	Boiling Springs	Private Nonprofit	87%	$24,137	57%	$48,039
Gaston College	Dallas	Public	N/A	N/A	N/A	$35,386
Gaston College	Dallas	Public	N/A	$5,752	47%	$35,386
Greensboro College	Greensboro	Private Nonprofit	92%	$19,314	40%	$46,566
Guilford College	Greensboro	Private Nonprofit	84%	$21,200	49%	$47,590
Guilford Technical Community College	Jamestown	Public	N/A	$13,926	29%	$33,934
Gwinnett College	Raleigh	Private For-Profit	N/A	$31,448	67%	$29,234
Halifax Community College	Weldon	Public	N/A	$4,073	31%	$31,644
Haywood Community College	Clyde	Public	N/A	$3,834	36%	$34,770
Health And Style Institute	Greensboro	Private For-Profit	N/A	$37,514	32%	$23,421
Heritage Bible College	Dunn	Private Nonprofit	N/A	$14,219	N/A	$30,672
High Point University	High Point	Private Nonprofit	77%	$40,721	69%	$61,389
Hood Theological Seminary	Salisbury	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Isothermal Community College	Spindale	Public	N/A	$6,723	51%	$33,325
James Sprunt Community College	Kenansville	Public	N/A	$3,852	37%	$29,307
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte	Charlotte	Private Nonprofit	75%	$28,901	52%	$43,418
Johnson C Smith University	Charlotte	Private Nonprofit	43%	$20,011	38%	$42,680
Johnston Community College	Smithfield	Public	N/A	$3,946	38%	$37,310
Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine	Sugar Grove	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lees-McRae College	Banner Elk	Private Nonprofit	81%	$25,765	45%	$43,415
Lenoir Community College	Kinston	Public	N/A	$5,116	29%	$33,866
Lenoir-Rhyne University	Hickory	Private Nonprofit	81%	$23,393	51%	$45,543
Leons Beauty School Inc	Greensboro	Private For-Profit	N/A	$2,921	60%	$26,958
Livingstone College	Salisbury	Private Nonprofit	74%	$15,662	26%	$32,600
Louisburg College	Louisburg	Private Nonprofit	32%	$26,403	54%	$34,818
Manna University	Fayetteville	Private Nonprofit	100%	$20,170	77%	N/A
Mars Hill University	Mars Hill	Private Nonprofit	78%	$20,313	41%	$44,781
Martin Community College	Williamston	Public	N/A	$3,337	46%	$26,016
Mayland Community College	Spruce Pine	Public	N/A	$5,260	41%	$34,663
McDowell Technical Community College	Marion	Public	N/A	$6,838	49%	$33,035
Meredith College	Raleigh	Private Nonprofit	75%	$20,197	66%	$51,539
Methodist University	Fayetteville	Private Nonprofit	75%	$24,978	41%	$48,050
Mid-Atlantic Christian University	Elizabeth City	Private Nonprofit	76%	$25,876	43%	$38,342
Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville	Fayetteville	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	51%	$31,102
Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville	Jacksonville	Private For-Profit	N/A	$22,465	61%	$31,102
Miller-Motte College-Raleigh	Raleigh	Private For-Profit	N/A	$21,131	46%	$31,102
Miller-Motte College-Wilmington	Wilmington	Private For-Profit	N/A	$22,772	17%	$31,102
Mitchell Community College	Statesville	Public	N/A	$5,761	24%	$33,298
Mitchells Academy	Raleigh	Private For-Profit	N/A	$14,647	84%	$26,606
Montgomery Community College	Troy	Public	N/A	$7,697	44%	$32,742
Montreat College	Montreat	Private Nonprofit	66%	$26,328	41%	$45,151
MyComputerCareer at Raleigh	Raleigh	Private For-Profit	N/A	$26,317	71%	N/A
NASCAR Technical Institute	Mooresville	Private For-Profit	N/A	$24,587	53%	$52,873
Nash Community College	Rocky Mount	Public	N/A	$4,477	46%	$34,912
No Grease Barber School	Charlotte	Private For-Profit	N/A	$19,563	92%	N/A
North Carolina A & T State University	Greensboro	Public	46%	$10,980	56%	$44,440
North Carolina Central University	Durham	Public	90%	$15,028	45%	$42,968
North Carolina State University at Raleigh	Raleigh	Public	40%	$16,931	85%	$68,758
North Carolina Wesleyan University	Rocky Mount	Private Nonprofit	78%	$18,165	39%	$45,873
One Stop Academy	Fayetteville	Private For-Profit	N/A	$7,321	N/A	N/A
Pamlico Community College	Grantsboro	Public	N/A	$7,847	53%	$30,005
Paul Mitchell the School-Charlotte	Charlotte	Private For-Profit	N/A	$15,034	51%	$23,966
Paul Mitchell the School-Fayetteville	Fayetteville	Private For-Profit	N/A	$14,498	66%	$26,696
Paul Mitchell the School-Raleigh	Raleigh	Private For-Profit	N/A	$17,979	70%	N/A
Pfeiffer University	Misenheimer	Private Nonprofit	95%	$21,953	39%	$51,562
Piedmont Community College	Roxboro	Public	N/A	$5,215	34%	$33,274
Pinnacle Institute of Cosmetology	Mooresville	Private For-Profit	N/A	$16,894	44%	$22,786
Pitt Community College	Winterville	Public	N/A	$7,150	28%	$37,259
Queens University of Charlotte	Charlotte	Private Nonprofit	68%	$27,786	67%	$57,673
Randolph Community College	Asheboro	Public	N/A	$7,242	46%	$33,336
Richmond Community College	Hamlet	Public	N/A	$6,042	37%	$29,951
Roanoke-Chowan Community College	Ahoskie	Public	N/A	$8,076	28%	$29,324
Robeson Community College	Lumberton	Public	N/A	$5,189	27%	$29,036
Rockingham Community College	Wentworth	Public	N/A	$2,380	25%	$32,480
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College	Salisbury	Public	N/A	$4,842	30%	$34,936
Saint Augustine's University	Raleigh	Private Nonprofit	59%	$17,740	27%	$35,730
Salem College	Winston-Salem	Private Nonprofit	87%	$18,835	59%	$44,640
Sampson Community College	Clinton	Public	N/A	$3,826	42%	$33,409
Sandhills Community College	Pinehurst	Public	N/A	$8,596	43%	$31,656
Shaw University	Raleigh	Private Nonprofit	30%	$14,083	17%	$34,409
Shepherds Theological Seminary	Cary	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
South College-Asheville	Asheville	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$36,642
South Piedmont Community College	Polkton	Public	N/A	$4,072	34%	$37,308
South University-High Point	High Point	Private For-Profit	N/A	$27,634	12%	$34,421
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary	Wake Forest	Private Nonprofit	77%	$6,608	49%	N/A
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary-Nash County Extension Center	Nashville	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary-Wake County Extension Center	Raleigh	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Southeastern College-Charlotte	Charlotte	Private For-Profit	97%	$36,058	59%	$31,548
Southeastern Community College	Whiteville	Public	N/A	$4,474	44%	$30,284
Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College	Wendell	Private Nonprofit	N/A	$13,467	44%	N/A
Southwestern Community College	Sylva	Public	N/A	$4,928	48%	$34,145
St. Andrews University	Laurinburg	Private Nonprofit	N/A	$33,756	27%	$45,606
Stanly Community College	Albemarle	Public	N/A	$4,215	44%	$36,686
Strayer University-North Carolina	Greensboro	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Strayer University-North Charlotte	Concord	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Strayer University-North Raleigh Campus	Raleigh	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Strayer University-South Charlotte	Charlotte	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Strayer University-South Raleigh Campus	Raleigh	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Surry Community College	Dobson	Public	N/A	$4,707	15%	$36,012
Tri-County Community College	Murphy	Public	N/A	$4,584	45%	$32,232
Union Presbyterian Seminary-Charlotte	Charlotte	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
University of Mount Olive	Mount Olive	Private Nonprofit	78%	$17,893	48%	$47,139
University of North Carolina Asheville	Asheville	Public	94%	$12,865	57%	$44,030
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill	Public	19%	$12,983	92%	$72,200
University of North Carolina at Charlotte	Charlotte	Public	80%	$14,745	69%	$57,289
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	Greensboro	Public	90%	$10,170	58%	$48,160
University of North Carolina at Pembroke	Pembroke	Public	92%	$9,918	45%	$43,407
University of North Carolina School of the Arts	Winston Salem	Public	33%	$12,372	81%	$38,357
University of North Carolina Wilmington	Wilmington	Public	74%	$19,472	73%	$54,967
Vance-Granville Community College	Henderson	Public	N/A	$4,534	37%	$34,304
Wake Forest University	Winston-Salem	Private Nonprofit	22%	$28,746	90%	$78,158
Wake Technical Community College	Raleigh	Public	N/A	$6,935	31%	$41,769
Warren Wilson College	Swannanoa	Private Nonprofit	78%	$23,719	44%	$36,260
Watts College of Nursing	Durham	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Wayne Community College	Goldsboro	Public	N/A	$4,152	51%	$34,148
Western Carolina University	Cullowhee	Public	87%	$12,579	60%	$49,458
Western Piedmont Community College	Morganton	Public	N/A	$5,357	38%	$34,195
Wilkes Community College	Wilkesboro	Public	N/A	-$28	54%	$34,728
William Peace University	Raleigh	Private Nonprofit	97%	$21,728	44%	$46,643
Wilson Community College	Wilson	Public	N/A	$6,753	28%	$32,973
Wingate University	Wingate	Private Nonprofit	85%	$21,371	51%	$52,649
Winston - Salem Barber School - Satellite	Greensboro	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$16,389
Winston Salem Barber School	Winston-Salem	Private For-Profit	N/A	$9,182	65%	$16,389
Winston-Salem State University	Winston-Salem	Public	69%	$13,393	49%	$45,344

Showing 175 of 175 schools