Best colleges in Raleigh
Carolina College Town
More than just the "Most Educated City in America"
Although widely known as an integral part of the "Research Triad," Raleigh will surprise you with its vibrant art culture, foodie and craft beer scene, and music festival mecca. Home to 10 traditional universities and colleges, your options are rich in Raleigh. Ranking number 2 on America's 15 Best Cities for Young Professionals by Forbes and in the top 5 of happiest metropolitan areas in America, Raleigh offers the best of both worlds pre and post graduation. The City of Oaks' unemployment rate of 5.7%, below the national average, compliments its average hourly wage of $22.65, above the national average.
North Carolina's state capitol, with its picturesque landscape of wooded tracts, nickname of "City of Oaks," and 150 major parks, is one place you'll be inspired to get outside and enjoy southern hospitality at its finest. But it's not all about the great outdoors. Raleigh is home to 3 major state museums, captivating historic sites, and sports enthusiast-worthy teams to cheer for including the NHL Hurricanes, MLS RailHawks, and college athletics – need we say more? With an annual average temperatures of 71◦, there's plenty to do 365 days a year. Be assured, Raleigh is the full college experience you're looking for.
Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the US*Bureau of Labor Statistics *visitraleigh.com *Wikipedia, "Raleigh"Best Four Year Universities in Raleigh
North Carolina State University, or NC State, is a public university founded in 1887, with the flagship campus located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Undergraduate enrollment at NC State is 35,000, and students take classes at the Main, Centennial, and NC Research Campuses. NC State is located in the Research Triangle in the Raleigh-Durham area along with Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Raleigh has a bustling downtown, a historic theme park, and a wide range of hiking trails just outside the city.
The university offers over 100 bachelor’s programs and over 60 doctoral degree options through competitive schools like the Polle College of Management and the Wilson College of Textiles. Prospective applicants should note that in-state tuition is roughly a quarter of out-of-state tuition, totaling just below $10,000. Students at NC State take classes on a semester-based academic calendar in a typical large undergraduate lecture format.
NC State has an annual budget that exceeds $1.5 billion, one of the largest annual budgets in the country, with funding going towards nationally-ranked research institutes, a competitive athletic program, and robust merit and need-based scholarships. Notable research institutes at NC State include the FREEDM Systems Center for smart-grid technology, the ASSIST Center for health-monitoring devices, and the Laboratory for Analytic Sciences. Notable alumni include quarterback Russell Wilson, actor Zach Galifianakis, and former Senator John Edwards.
Meredith College offers 77 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 473 students graduated with students earning 314 Bachelor's degrees, 82 Certificates, and 77 Master's degrees.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary offers 67 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 530 students graduated with students earning 346 Master's degrees, 96 Bachelor's degrees, 67 Doctoral degrees, 11 Certificates, and 10 Associate's degrees.
Saint Augustine's University offers 28 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 108 students graduated with students earning 100 Bachelor's degrees, and 8 Master's degrees.
Shaw University offers 22 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 225 students graduated with students earning 184 Bachelor's degrees, and 41 Master's degrees.
William Peace University offers 39 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 179 students graduated with students earning 179 Bachelor's degrees.
Strayer University-North Carolina offers 66 degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 673 students graduated with students earning 326 Bachelor's degrees, 174 Master's degrees, 165 Associate's degrees, and 8 Certificates.
Shepherds Theological Seminary offers 4 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2023, 39 students graduated with students earning 34 Master's degrees, and 5 Doctoral degrees.
Best Community Colleges in Raleigh
Louisburg College offers 3 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a faraway rural area. In 2023, 107 students graduated with students earning 107 Associate's degrees.
Miller-Motte College-Raleigh offers 6 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large city. In 2023, 54 students graduated with students earning 39 Certificates, and 15 Associate's degrees.
Wake Technical Community College offers 170 degree programs. It's a very large, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 2,869 students graduated with students earning 2,687 Associate's degrees, and 182 Certificates.
Johnston Community College offers 84 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a outlying town. In 2023, 709 students graduated with students earning 586 Associate's degrees, and 123 Certificates.
Top schools offering specific degrees in Raleigh
List of all colleges in Raleigh
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC | 20 : 1 | 37,323 | |
|
Meredith College Raleigh, NC | 13 : 1 | 1,576 | |
|
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC | 75 : 1 | 2,926 | |
|
Louisburg College Louisburg, NC | 38 : 1 | 413 | |
|
Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC | 16 : 1 | 943 | |