25 Best Universities In North Carolina For International Students 2025

North Carolina is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 45 universities and colleges in North Carolina, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 45 universities in North Carolina, Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are the top-performing schools in North Carolina. This list covers both public and private institutions in North Carolina.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in North Carolina. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in North Carolina.

How do I get admission to the best universities in North Carolina?

Applying to the universities in North Carolina involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in North Carolina to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in North Carolina?

Tuition fees at North Carolina’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 5,000 USD to 61,100 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 6,180 USD to 60,300 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in North Carolina!

As we cover the best universities in North Carolina for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in North Carolina for International Students

Founded in 1924 in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is among the top-ranked universities in America and the world. The university offers 52 majors and allows undergraduate students to combine different disciplines to encourage them to explore their interests. It also aims to facilitate an environment that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities to all, regardless of race, gender, and background.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is located in the town of Chapel Hill and serves students worldwide. It is one of the first public universities in the United States and serves 30,000+ students annually. UNC is known for offering some of the most affordable tuition rates for its high-quality education.

The North Carolina State University or NC State University is a top-performing institution in the country and houses more than 37,000 local and international students. They have a consistent position in national and global rankings for various study programs such as engineering, business, and medicine. Moreover, they are acknowledged as a “best value for money” university for the past years.

Wake Forest University has a broad range of courses for students who want to excel in the media, arts, and engineering industries, among others. The university believes that research is the best way to deepen the students’ critical thinking and professional skills. With that, it has excellent equipment and tools to aid the students’ learning process and help them expand their research findings.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte or UNC Charlotte has been in the education industry since 1946. It was initially established to meet the demands of the labor market to generate professionals from different industry sectors. It started as a small institute admitting students in their evening classes, and it has since grown into an established university providing higher education in various academic disciplines. Today, UNC Charlotte provides about 75 undergraduate programs, more than 170 master’s and doctoral programs, and professional certificates to a diverse group of students.

Located in a business and logistics hub, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro offers more than 150 degree programs to almost 20,000 students. This university is recognized for its learner-centered teaching approach and for innovating in the field of research. In fact, this was one of the first universities that created programs related to nanotechnology. It also has a very active student body, with 18 sports clubs, 36 student organizations, and dozens of culture clubs.

East Carolina University (ECU) offers a broad spectrum of educational programs for prospective first-year students and professionals who wants to further their studies. Several of its programs are widely recognized and have been credited to be world-class. Additionally, one of its primary goals is to train and prepare its students to become innovators, experts, and competent professionals. It continues to provide countless opportunities that have transformed its students’ lives.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is considered the largest historically black university in the country. It offers a safe space for people to learn and enjoy what they are passionate about, regardless of their race. The university has grown over the years and is now the leading producer of African-American graduates.

Davidson College develops a diverse community where students get intensive supervision in their program of choice. The institution ensures that its graduates will create an impact on society by deepening their research skills. With its warm environment, Davidson College openly welcomes both domestic and international applicants.

The Appalachian State University, also called App State, is a member of the University of North Carolina system. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, around 21,000 students make the university their new home. This eight-college institution is well ranked nationally, placing 251st and 600th in the US by QS rankings and Times Higher Education, respectively, and 6th in the Southern Region by US News.

Elon University is a private higher education institution with a long and rich history dating back to 1889. It has evolved into a premier university and excels in providing first-class programs and high-quality teaching and research. In addition, the university is recognized for being a student-centered university. One of its primary goals is to train and satisfy each student’s overall academic experience throughout the duration of their studies.

Known for short as UNCW, the University of North Carolina Wilmington is a federal institution that puts high emphasis on research and innovation. This college was first established to academically train battle-hardened veterans, but after a legislative bill, the UNCW officially became a liberal arts college that offered a great variety of courses in various levels of higher education. When it comes to academics, the University of North Carolina Wilmington specializes in marine science due to its closeness to the Atlantic Ocean.

Western Carolina University (WCU) has been in the academic industry since 1889. This public higher education university offers comprehensive educational programs in the fields of education. Nursing, engineering, management, and more. WCU is among the leading universities in the western region of North Carolina. Its academic excellence assures students that they will become competent professionals and experts.

North Carolina Central University was founded by one of the wealthiest Black American businesspeople in the 1900s and produced its first 4-year class graduates in 1929. It was the first institution for black students supported by the state in the country. Since then, new programs were offered, and eventually, graduate studies were also opened, including the School of Law in 1940. The university continues to strive for academic excellence to this day, producing students that are competent and ready for the real world.

The University of North Carolina at Asheville is a public institution centered on the liberal arts. Thus, most of its undergrad programs and its only master’s course are dedicated to the field. It is ranked 146th among national liberal arts colleges by US News and is part of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. This university is also one of the 16 UNC System campuses.

Campbell University is a private educational institution with an affiliation to the Baptist State Convention in North Carolina. It is one of the five independent universities in the state to receive the highest level of accreditation. Campbell University offers over 100 programs, even pioneering in the academic studies of fields like osteopathy and trust and financial management.

High Point University is a Methodist-affiliated private educational institution for higher education located in the city of High Point, North Carolina. Its establishment in 1924 was a product of the local government and the Methodist Protestant Church with the vision of a college dedicated to serving God and the community. The university now offers over a hundred majors and minors and has 64 international destinations for students to study abroad. 

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) was established in 1887. This public institution is part of the University of North Carolina system that provides top-class higher education programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition, UNCP has the safest learning environment among its member universities. It also has one of the most diverse communities as students and faculty members come from different US states and foreign countries.

Fayetteville State University is a historically black university providing quality education through a liberal arts foundation. The university offers over 78 student organizations, allowing students to enhance their academic skills and leadership potential. It maintains a safe space for everyone to study and achieve their dreams through academic excellence.

Queens University of Charlotte is a relatively small university located in the charming city of Charlotte, North Carolina. This private institution offers a broad spectrum of professional certificate programs and educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Also, students will be provided with countless training and internship opportunities as its location is considered one of the rapidly growing economies in North Carolina.

Known as a historically black public university, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) prides itself on being a regionally recognized institution for providing academic excellence in North Carolina. In addition, WSSU is part of the University of North Carolina System, an assurance that it provides only high standards of teaching and research. The university offers future-oriented study programs explicitly designed to generate skilled professionals who will significantly contribute to society. Some of its top-rated academic programs include nursing, accounting, psychology, and education.

Guilford College was initially founded as a co-educational boarding school for Quakers by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). 4 years later, it was opened to non-Quakers and became a four-year liberal arts college, becoming the oldest coeducational college in the south. The college was known to have worked with local African Americans to implement Underground Railroad activities as well as supported enslaved Africans in their fight for freedom.

Nationally ranked, Meredith College’s student body has grown throughout the years. It is respected as a vibrant learning environment where students enhance their strengths and broaden their perspectives. It educates and inspires students to live with integrity and provide leadership for society’s needs, opportunities and challenges.

Warren Wilson College is a private liberal arts university located in North Carolina, one of the nine universities in the Work Colleges Consortium. It is one of the few universities in the United States that allows students to work in institutions after graduation. Swannanoa, North Carolina, where the university is located, is home to a large farm, which includes a working farm, market garden, and management forest, and is also affiliated with the U.S. Presbyterian Church.

Johnson C. Smith University is a private university in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was founded in 1867 as a historically black university called Biddle Memorial Institute after Mary D. Biddle, a churchwoman who was a major contributor to the school. Undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, science, technology and professional studies are available at the university.