2026 Best Business Schools in North Carolina
Looking for the best Business degree programs in North Carolina? This list ranks 163 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Business Degree Central evaluated 129 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Business Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Duke University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Business degree schools in North Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. About 97% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. 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. This public school is set in Chapel Hill, NC. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical Business student debt is $15,117. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
A rank of #3 makes Wake Forest University one of the top choices in North Carolina. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Wake Forest University graduates 89% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Typical Business student debt is $21,577. More on Wake Forest University
The strong Business programs at Elon University earned it the #4 place in North Carolina. Located in Elon, NC, Elon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete their Business program here. More on Elon University
The strong Business programs at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #5 place in North Carolina. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
Wake Technical Community College landed the #6 spot in North Carolina this year. Based in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Wake Technical Community College Business students take on a median of $17,900 in debt. Get the full Wake Technical Community College report
Appalachian State University placed #7 among Business schools in North Carolina. Located in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Appalachian State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. The median Business program debt is $21,992. See the full Appalachian State University profile
East Carolina University landed the #8 spot in North Carolina this year. Located in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Read the full report on East Carolina University
Queens University Of Charlotte placed #9 among Business schools in North Carolina. Set 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 run about $45,846. Graduates carry a median of $27,245 in student loans. Read more about Queens University Of Charlotte
Belmont Abbey College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Set in Belmont, NC, Belmont Abbey College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $19,500. The median Business program debt is $27,140. Get the full Belmont Abbey College report
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #11 in this year's ranking. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public school based in Charlotte, NC. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete their Business program here. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte report
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical Business student debt is $11,861. More on Central Piedmont Community College
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Set in Wilmington, NC, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,013 in student loans. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Gaston College placed #14 among Business schools in North Carolina. This public school is set in Dallas, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Gaston College Business students take on a median of $10,915 in debt. More on Gaston College
Catawba College landed the #15 spot in North Carolina this year. Located in Salisbury, NC, Catawba College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,300. Typical Business student debt is $25,667. Get the full Catawba College report
Strayer University North Carolina came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Greensboro, NC. Strayer University North Carolina posts a six-year graduation rate of 33%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Strayer University North Carolina Business students take on a median of $47,631 in debt. More on Strayer University North Carolina
Wayne Community College landed the #17 spot in North Carolina this year. Wayne Community College is a public school based in Goldsboro, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Get the full Wayne Community College report
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. Located in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Wingate University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Wingate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wingate, NC. Wingate University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,576. Graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. Read the full report on Wingate University
High Point University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,312. Typical Business student debt is $23,785. See the full High Point University profile
Western Carolina University landed the #21 spot in North Carolina this year. This public school is set in Cullowhee, NC. Western Carolina University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. The median Business program debt is $24,174. Read the full report on Western Carolina University
Surry Community College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in Dobson, NC, Surry Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $9,537 in student loans. Read more about Surry Community College
Southwestern Community College Sylva did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Sylva, NC, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Typical Business student debt is $13,708. Read more about Southwestern Community College Sylva
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. This public school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. More on Forsyth Technical Community College
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte landed the #25 spot in North Carolina this year. Located in Charlotte, NC, Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,982. Typical Business student debt is $25,574. Read the full report on Johnson And Wales University Charlotte
Rest of the Top 50 Best Business Degree Schools in North Carolina
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Catawba Valley Community College placed #26 among Business schools in North Carolina. Based in Hickory, NC, Catawba Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,427, with out-of-state students paying around $7,803. Typical Business student debt is $9,842. See the full Catawba Valley Community College profile
Montreat College placed #27 among Business schools in North Carolina. Montreat College is a private not-for-profit school based in Montreat, NC. Montreat College posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. In-state tuition and fees average $36,450. Typical Business student debt is $24,168. Read the full report on Montreat College
Gardner Webb University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Gardner Webb University Business students take on a median of $25,033 in debt. Get the full Gardner Webb University report
Campbell University placed #29 among Business schools in North Carolina. Located in Buies Creek, NC, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Campbell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,600. The median Business program debt is $23,641. Read more about Campbell University
Pfeiffer University landed the #30 spot in North Carolina this year. Pfeiffer University is a private not-for-profit school based in Misenheimer, NC. About 35% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $35,070. The median Business program debt is $26,375. Read the full report on Pfeiffer University
Mitchell Community College placed #31 among Business schools in North Carolina. Located in Statesville, NC, Mitchell Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,651, compared with $8,795 for out-of-state students. Typical Business student debt is $6,313. Get the full Mitchell Community College report
Mount Olive College placed #32 among Business schools in North Carolina. Based in Mount Olive, NC, Mount Olive College is a private not-for-profit institution. Mount Olive College graduates 48% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $27,366 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,798 to complete their Business program here. See the full Mount Olive College profile
University Of North Carolina At Asheville landed the #33 spot in North Carolina this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a public school based in Asheville, NC. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Typical Business student debt is $22,108. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Asheville
North Carolina A And T State University placed #34 among Business schools in North Carolina. Located in Greensboro, NC, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. North Carolina A And T State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. The median Business program debt is $29,078. Get the full North Carolina A And T State University report
Pitt Community College did well this year, earning the #35 position. This public school is set in Winterville, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,871, while out-of-state students pay about $13,087. Typical Business student debt is $19,741. More on Pitt Community College
Peace College came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Peace College is a private not-for-profit school based in Raleigh, NC. Peace College posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. In-state tuition and fees average $34,176. Students borrow a median of $27,080 to complete their Business program here. Read the full report on Peace College
Vance Granville Community College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Henderson, NC, Vance Granville Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete their Business program here. More on Vance Granville Community College
Fayetteville State University landed the #38 spot in North Carolina this year. Located in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville State University is a public institution. Fayetteville State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 38%. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Fayetteville State University Business students take on a median of $27,869 in debt. More on Fayetteville State University
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #39 in this year's ranking. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public school based in Pembroke, NC. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete their Business program here. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Nash Community College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Rocky Mount, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,866, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. The median Business program debt is $16,969. Read the full report on Nash Community College
North Carolina Central University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Business schools. North Carolina Central University is a public school based in Durham, NC. North Carolina Central University graduates 42% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. More on North Carolina Central University
Guilford Technical Community College placed #42 among Business schools in North Carolina. This public school is set in Jamestown, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,501 in student loans. See the full Guilford Technical Community College profile
North Carolina Wesleyan College did well this year, earning the #43 position. Set in Rocky Mount, NC, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. North Carolina Wesleyan College graduates 42% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,586. Students borrow a median of $26,713 to complete their Business program here. More on North Carolina Wesleyan College
Guilford College did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Greensboro, NC, Guilford College is a private not-for-profit institution. Guilford College posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. Students from in state pay about $41,362 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,571 to complete their Business program here. Read more about Guilford College
Methodist University landed the #45 spot in North Carolina this year. Methodist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Fayetteville, NC. Methodist University graduates 43% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,250. Graduates carry a median of $27,604 in student loans. Get the full Methodist University report
Lenoir Rhyne University did well this year, earning the #46 position. Based in Hickory, NC, Lenoir Rhyne University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,900. Students borrow a median of $26,900 to complete their Business program here. See the full Lenoir Rhyne University profile
Mars Hill College placed #47 among Business schools in North Carolina. Based in Mars Hill, NC, Mars Hill College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,736. The median Business program debt is $26,886. Read the full report on Mars Hill College
Wilkes Community College placed #48 among Business schools in North Carolina. Set in Wilkesboro, NC, Wilkes Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Read more about Wilkes Community College
Salem College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Salem College is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees average $33,848. The median Business program debt is $26,789. Read more about Salem College
Fayetteville Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Fayetteville Technical Community College Business students take on a median of $16,909 in debt. See the full Fayetteville Technical Community College profile
More Business Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Business Degree Central (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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).
BusinessDegreeCentral.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© BusinessDegreeCentral.com – All Rights Reserved.