16 Best Public Universities in North Carolina for International Students

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North Carolina, is one of the states in United States you should look into if you want to study in a public university. Besides providing a path towards your academic goals, you can also enjoy various activities here to make your studies abroad all worth it. In addition, studying in North Carolina can give you valuable insights into its people and the local culture.

There are 45 universities you can find in North Carolina, and 16 of them are public universities. Having these many choices makes North Carolina a great place for international students.

In this article, you’ll find out the public universities in North Carolina, with some added information on programs, tuition, and how many international students you’ll be studying with. Let’s get started!

Rank University Location
1 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, United States
2 North Carolina State University Raleigh, United States
3 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, United States
4 University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, United States
5 East Carolina University Greenville, United States
6 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Greensboro, United States
7 Appalachian State University Boone, United States
8 University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, United States
9 Western Carolina University Cullowhee, United States
10 North Carolina Central University Durham, NC, United States
11 University of North Carolina at Asheville Asheville, United States
12 University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, United States
13 Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States
14 Winston-Salem State University Winston Salem, United States
15 University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, United States
16 Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, United States

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can International Students Study in Public Universities in North Carolina?

Absolutely! International students in public universities in North Carolina can pursue different program levels, but the most popular ones are bachelor’s and master’s programs.

As for tuition fees, note that these vary across specific disciplines and program levels, with some charging significantly more than others. Specifically, public universities in North Carolina charge up to 34,900 USD for bachelor’s and 31,000 USD for master’s studies.


I hope this article can help you in your search for public universities in North Carolina. Feel free to check out the Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad.