2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in North Carolina
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in North Carolina? Our ranking highlights 163 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree reviewed 129 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in North Carolina
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Duke University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in North Carolina. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $13,296. More on Duke University
Out of the 129 schools in North Carolina in this year's ranking, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #2 spot. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Wake Forest University came in at #3 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in North Carolina. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Wake Forest University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. See the full Wake Forest University profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #4 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in North Carolina. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Read the full report on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Out of the 129 schools in North Carolina in this year's ranking, Elon University landed the #5 spot. Based in Elon, NC, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Elon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Elon University
High Point University landed the #6 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in High Point, NC, High Point University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,312. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on High Point University
Wingate University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Based in Wingate, NC, Wingate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. Graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. Read more about Wingate University
Appalachian State University landed the #8 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Appalachian State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Appalachian State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $21,992 in debt. See the full Appalachian State University profile
East Carolina University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. East Carolina University is a public school based in Greenville, NC. East Carolina University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about East Carolina University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #10 among Graduate Degrees schools in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school based in Charlotte, NC. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Lenoir Rhyne University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Lenoir Rhyne University is a private not-for-profit school based in Hickory, NC. Lenoir Rhyne University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,900. Graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Get the full Lenoir Rhyne University report
Queens University Of Charlotte landed the #12 spot in North Carolina this year. Based in Charlotte, NC, Queens University Of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $45,846. Graduates carry a median of $27,245 in student loans. Read more about Queens University Of Charlotte
Salem College landed the #13 spot in North Carolina this year. Salem College is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,848. Graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Get the full Salem College report
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Wilmington, NC, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,013 in debt. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Montreat College did well this year, earning the #16 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Montreat, NC. Montreat College posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,450. Graduates carry a median of $24,168 in student loans. More on Montreat College
Campbell University placed #17 among Graduate Degrees schools in North Carolina. Set in Buies Creek, NC, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Campbell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Campbell University profile
Pfeiffer University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Misenheimer, NC, Pfeiffer University is a private not-for-profit institution. Pfeiffer University posts a six-year graduation rate of 35%. Students from in state pay about $35,070 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read more about Pfeiffer University
Gardner Webb University placed #19 among Graduate Degrees schools in North Carolina. Set in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Gardner Webb University
Western Carolina University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Cullowhee, NC, Western Carolina University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,174. See the full Western Carolina University profile
Winston Salem State University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Winston Salem State University is a public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Winston Salem State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,653 in debt. More on Winston Salem State University
Methodist University landed the #22 spot in North Carolina this year. Located in Fayetteville, NC, Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Methodist University graduates 43% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $41,250 in tuition and fees. Methodist University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,604 in debt. More on Methodist University
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #23 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Greensboro, NC, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,078. See the full North Carolina A And T State University profile
Mount Olive College placed #24 among Graduate Degrees schools in North Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mount Olive, NC. Mount Olive College posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $30,798. Read more about Mount Olive College
North Carolina Central University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. North Carolina Central University is a public school based in Durham, NC. North Carolina Central University graduates 42% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $31,173. Get the full North Carolina Central University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in North Carolina
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Pembroke, NC, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates 44% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,089. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Fayetteville State University placed #27 among Graduate Degrees schools in North Carolina. Fayetteville State University is a public school based in Fayetteville, NC. About 38% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Fayetteville State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,869 in debt. Read more about Fayetteville State University
Mars Hill College placed #28 among Graduate Degrees schools in North Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mars Hill, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,736. Graduates carry a median of $26,886 in student loans. Read the full report on Mars Hill College
Strayer University North Carolina came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Greensboro, NC. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,920. Strayer University North Carolina Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $47,631 in debt. Read more about Strayer University North Carolina
Elizabeth City State University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Elizabeth City State University is a public school based in Elizabeth City, NC. Elizabeth City State University graduates 44% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,992. Read more about Elizabeth City State University
Greensboro College landed the #31 spot in North Carolina this year. See the full Greensboro College profile
Empire Beauty School Concord did well this year, earning the #32 position. More on Empire Beauty School Concord
Gaston College
Gaston College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Read more about Gaston College
Jung Tao School Of Classical Chinese Medicine ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Jung Tao School Of Classical Chinese Medicine report
Mayland Community College did well this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full Mayland Community College report
Pamlico Community College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. More on Pamlico Community College
Wilkes Community College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Get the full Wilkes Community College report
Carolinas College Of Health Sciences placed #38 among Graduate Degrees schools in North Carolina. More on Carolinas College Of Health Sciences
Elevate Salon Institute Durham ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. More on Elevate Salon Institute Durham
Grace College Of Divinity landed the #40 spot in North Carolina this year. Read the full report on Grace College Of Divinity
Wayne Community College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Wayne Community College profile
Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences did well this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences profile
Empire Beauty School Charlotte came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Empire Beauty School Charlotte
Tri County Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Tri County Community College
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #45 spot in North Carolina this year. Get the full Southwestern Community College Sylva report
Miller Motte College Fayetteville came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Read more about Miller Motte College Fayetteville
Paul Mitchell The School Fayetteville did well this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Fayetteville report
Central Carolina Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Central Carolina Community College report
Edgecombe Community College landed the #49 spot in North Carolina this year. Read the full report on Edgecombe Community College
Montgomery Community College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Montgomery Community College report
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 129 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 163 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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