The best accredited online colleges in North Carolina offer flexible undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as professional certificates. These schools are designed for working professionals and prospective students who simply prefer the convenience of remote learning over on-campus classes.
If you’ve been looking for virtual schools in North Carolina, this article is a step in the right direction. Apart from a list of accredited online schools in North Carolina, the article explains what accreditation means and which type of accreditation is ideal for online schools. It also compares the benefits of online schools over traditional on-campus schools to make your decision of becoming an online learner that much easier.
Fully Accredited Online Colleges in North Carolina: Two Types of Accreditation
The two types of accreditations for colleges in North Carolina are regional and national accreditation. Each one comes with its unique set of benefits that make it ideal for specific groups of online students, but neither is outright better than the other. At the end of the day, either type of accreditation is better than there being no accreditation at all.
Regionally Accredited Online Colleges
Regionally accredited online colleges are degree-granting institutions that are designed to serve a specific region. They are held to a rigorous standard by their corresponding accrediting agencies and most typically are mainstream universities or community colleges.
Due to these meticulous curriculum standards, regionally accredited universities tend to be more expensive and have far more competitive admissions. However, their credits hold a lot of value and can be easily transferred to universities that aren’t even within the same region.
Nationally Accredited Online Colleges
Nationally accredited colleges are degree and certificate-granting institutions that mostly focus on vocational training and other formats of hands-on learning designed to ensure student success in a niche industry. Professional training schools, license preparation schools, and certain kinds of healthcare instructions typically rely on national accreditation.
Such institutions may be cheaper and more practical in their method of instruction, but they also tend to be laxly regulated—meaning that their courses wouldn’t be as easily accepted as transfer credits between universities or colleges.
Why Is Accreditation Important for College?
Accreditation is important for college because it proves that the school satisfies a standard of education required by law. The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) also lists enhanced credibility, formal recognition, and improved information regarding resource decisions among the benefits of accreditation.
Accrediting bodies are regulatory watchdogs that oversee the activities in the school to ensure that students are getting the best version of education the institution can offer. Colleges that aren’t accredited can get away with providing a substandard education, as there is no vetting system in place to keep a check on them.
How to Find an Accredited Online College in North Carolina
You can find an accredited online college in North Carolina on the US Department of Education’s database, on the websites of accrediting bodies, or directly on the websites of schools that offer online education.
While all three of these avenues are perfectly valid means of checking accreditation, going directly to the schools’ websites also gives you the additional benefit of browsing through the available online degrees and is thus the most efficient route to take.
Check the US Department of Education’s Database
The US Department of Education has a database of all the universities across all states, including North Carolina, that covers public schools, private institutions, and community colleges. It also has a navigation system that allows you to find schools using several filters for names, locations, and the highest degree level offered.
Search for Colleges on the Regional Accrediting Agency’s Website
You can find accredited online universities in North Carolina on the official website of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). This is the regional accrediting commission responsible for schools in the Southern belt. SACSCOC has its own database of accredited institutions with a school search feature that can be maneuvered using filters.
Visit the School’s Official Website
You can also use a search engine to identify the best online universities in North Carolina and check the website of your desired school to see if it is regionally or nationally accredited. This information is often readily available on most universities’ websites. However, if you can’t find it when navigating the website, you could just directly reach out to the school and ask them for its accreditations.
Top 10 Accredited Online Colleges in North Carolina: Overview
| Ranking | Online College | Accreditation | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (regional) | 96% |
| 2 | Wake Forest University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (regional) | 89% |
| 3 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (regional) | 80% |
| 4 | Appalachian State University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (regional) | 74% |
| 5 | East Carolina University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (regional) | 67% |
| 6 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (regional) | 59% |
| 7 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (regional) | 57% |
| 8 | Gardner-Webb University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (regional) | 53% |
| 9 | Campbell University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (regional) | 47% |
| 10 | Fayetteville State University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (regional) | 45% |
How We Ranked the Best Accredited Online Colleges in North Carolina
We ranked the best accredited online colleges in North Carolina by looking at the graduation rates of various institutions that offer fully online degree programs. The information in the table above comes from the schools’ official websites as well as the US Department of Education’s database of accredited schools and its College Scorecard tool.
Best Accredited Online Colleges in North Carolina: Deep Dive
The best accredited online colleges in North Carolina listed above have been ranked on the basis of graduation rate, but there are many other aspects that also contribute to a university’s standing. Student-to-faculty ratio and average graduate salary are just some of the factors you must also take into account before deciding how good an institution actually is for you.
What Is the Easiest Online College That Is Accredited in North Carolina?
The easiest online college that is accredited in North Carolina is Duke University, with a graduation rate of 96 percent, as per the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard tool. It is important to note that this graduation rate considers students who graduated within eight years of admission and is bound to be higher than other data sets that only consider four years in their calculations.
What Is the Cheapest Accredited Online College in North Carolina?
The cheapest accredited online college in North Carolina is Fayetteville State University with affordable tuition of $5,379 per annum for in-state undergraduate students. Out-of-state students pay $16,987 in annual tuition, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). For graduate students, in-state tuition is about $3,438 per academic year whereas out-of-state tuition is around $14,503.
When you add other expenses like books, fees, and additional miscellaneous requirements, the in-state cost of attendance rises to around $16,256, while the out-of-state cost of attendance nears $27,864 for online undergraduate students. The main benefit of virtual colleges is that room and board expenses can be avoided.
Are There Free Accredited Online Colleges in North Carolina?
No, there are no free accredited colleges in North Carolina at this time. If you want college-level education but cannot afford it, there are other resources you can explore that offer free accredited online courses. But these aside, you will have to pay in order to get an online certificate or degree from an accredited university.
Why Choose an Accredited Online College in North Carolina?
You should choose an accredited online college in North Carolina because the accreditation process guarantees that schools meet educational quality standards, support transferable credits between institutions, and prove to employers that the education you’ve received is at par with the skill set required to succeed in the industry.
Quality Education
Accredited universities are required by their accrediting agencies to meet certain standards of education. These standards are reevaluated at regular intervals to ensure that they remain up to date. If you attend a university that isn’t accredited, there is no guarantee that you will get the educational experiences necessary for job growth.
Transferable Credits
In the United States, you can only transfer credits to an accredited college from another accredited college. This means that if you do not attend an accredited school, you might miss out on being able to use your existing coursework to fast-track a higher degree in another university.
Recognized by Employers
Accreditation stands to vouch for the skill set you learn post-elementary education. Without this seal of confidence, it becomes difficult to find a reputable employer who will accept your university degree as proof of your competency. This is why it is better to go for the accredited options so that you get full recognition from your peers and prospective employers.
Most Affordable Accredited Online Colleges in North Carolina
The most affordable accredited online colleges in North Carolina are Fayetteville State University, Elizabeth City State University, Western Carolina University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and North Carolina Central University.
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Tuition: $41.67/Credit. NC at Pembroke is well known for providing affordable education, especially for in-state students and residents of neighboring states in North Carolina. For out-of-state students, the cost per credit hour is $208.33.
- Elizabeth City State University | Tuition: $41.67/Credit. While in-state students pay $41.67 per credit hour, students from other parts of the country pay about $208.33 per credit hour. The out-of-state tuition rates also apply for distance education, but Elizabeth City State University remains an extremely economical option for prospective virtual campus students.
- Western Carolina University | Tuition: $181.91/Credit. Residents pay $181.91 per credit hour at Western Carolina University (WCU), while non-residents pay $348.57 per credit hour. The total cost per semester depends on how many credits a student takes and fees that may get attached.
- North Carolina Central University | Tuition: $91/Credit. The tuition per credit for in-state undergraduate students is $91, whereas out-of-state students can pay up to $441.62. For graduate students, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) charges $157.11 in state and $669.83 out of state.
- Fayetteville State University | Tuition: $5,379/Year. This is currently one of the most affordable accredited universities in North Carolina. However, this is only with regards to in-state undergraduate students, as out-of-state students pay significantly more at $16,987 per year.
Best Online Accredited Colleges in North Carolina That Accept Financial Aid
The best online accredited colleges in North Carolina that accept financial aid are East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, Gardner-Webb University, and North Carolina State University.
- East Carolina University | Tuition: $204.46/Credit. ECU offers financial aid for both in-state and out-of-state students. There are also performance and need-based scholarships given to specific students. For instance, some resident students get fixed tuition options that allow them to pay the same amount yearly.
- Appalachian State University | Tuition: $176.75/Credit. Students can apply for financial aid at App State by visiting the school’s official tuition and financial aid website. The potential scholarships they can apply for include the summer Pell Grant, federal financial aid, and veteran military benefits.
- University of Mount Olive | Tuition: $455/Credit. Heavily involved in federal and state financial aid, University of Mount Olive (UMO) offers academic, departmental, and athletic scholarships to first-year students. It also offers community and ministerial scholarships to larger student bodies.
- Gardner-Webb University | Tuition: $375/Credit. The financial aid options you can apply for at GWU are traditional federal financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Some students can also get the dean’s scholarship, opportunity grants, and achievement scholarships based on their academic performances.
- North Carolina State University | Tuition: $272.29/Credit. Both in-state and out-of-state students can apply for the wide range of financial aid options that North Carolina State University (NC State) has to offer. These options include scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment opportunities.
Best Online Schools in North Carolina by Popular Subjects
The best online schools in North Carolina for popular subjects like computer science, nursing, medical coding and billing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, education, criminal justice, social work, and accounting are listed below.
Best Accredited Online Colleges With Associate Degree Programs in North Carolina
The best accredited online colleges with associate degree programs in North Carolina are Appalachian State University, Wake Technical College, Edgecombe Community College, Southeastern Community College, and Central Piedmont Community College.
- University of Mount Olive | Associate of Science in General Studies. UMO is one of the best universities for adult education. Its Associate Degree in General Studies is a particularly popular online program as it also offers a pre-nursing specialization for students who need to meet general education requirements for admission into a nursing program.
- Wake Technical Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Accounting and Finance. This Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree offered by Wake Community Technical College prepares students for careers in accounting, forensics, taxation, consulting, and information technology. It also has transfer options to help students take credits toward a bachelor’s program.
- Edgecombe Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration. This is a 70-credit program that ECC offers, covering the vital aspects of running a business. The coursework is spread across five semesters and includes economics, marketing, and information technology in business.
- Southeastern Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice. This online AAS program at Southeastern Community College lasts between 70 to 75 credits across five semesters. Courses include an introduction to criminal justice, juvenile justice, criminology, constitutional law, communication, ethics, and community relations.
- Central Piedmont Community College | Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation. The Associate in Arts (AA) program at Central Piedmont Community College is an entirely online course that runs for about two years. It covers English composition, writing and research, public speaking, and instruction history. The program also gives its students internship and co-op opportunities.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Best Accredited Online Colleges With Bachelor’s Degree Programs in North Carolina
Some of the best accredited online colleges for bachelor’s degrees in North Carolina are Appalachian State University, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, East Carolina University, Gardner-Webb University, and University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
- Appalachian State University | Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This 100 percent online RN to BSN program requires 120 credits for completion. It is a part-time program that costs $224 per credit for North Carolina residents, but financial aid is also available for out-of-state students showing merit.
- North Carolina State University | Bachelor of Art in Leadership in the Public Sector. NC State’s Bachelor of Arts in Leadership is a fully online degree advancement program for students with either an associate degree or at least 60 transferable credits from a certificate program in a related field.
- East Carolina University | Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from ECU, you can start a successful long-term career as an entrepreneur. The school offers a wide range of concentrations alongside an industry-updated curriculum that prepares students for licensure.
- Gardner-Webb University | Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. This Bachelor of Science (BS) is an online degree completion program offered at GWU. Alongside a core curriculum in systems analysis and design, project design, and database management, it also offers a unique capstone course in strategic information management.
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Offered as part of UNC Charlotte’s Distance Education program, this BS degree teaches aspiring electrical engineers about digital logic systems, linear circuits, and microprocessors. Students must already have an associate degree in electrical engineering or a related field to apply.
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees
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Best Accredited Online Colleges With Master’s Degree Programs in North Carolina
The best accredited online colleges in North Carolina with master’s degree programs are Duke University, Campbell University, Appalachian State University, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and East Carolina University.
- Duke University | Master of Engineering Management. This online master’s degree offered by Duke University is in high demand and infamous for its extremely competitive admissions. You will need a bachelor’s degree, an impressive GRE, and at least five years of working experience to enroll in this program.
- Campbell University | Master of Business Administration. This is one of the best fully online MBA programs any university in North Carolina offers. It costs about $790 per credit, and you can choose from a large range of concentrations, including accounting, financial services, healthcare management, marketing, and leadership.
- Appalachian State University | Master of Social Work. This 33-credit graduate program offered by App State costs about $304 per unit for North Carolina residents. It is an ideal option for people aiming to be substance abuse counselors, medical social workers, child welfare counselors, and school social workers.
- University of North Carolina at Wilmington | Master of Science in Business Analytics. This accelerated master’s degree at UNC Wilmington is designed to finish in 12 months or less. It is a 30-credit program with full-time and part-time options. The program costs $578.63 and $1,346.91 per credit hour for North Carolina residents and non-residents, respectively.
- East Carolina University | Master of Science in Computer Science. ECU’s online computer science master’s program is just as good as its on-campus counterpart. It prepares aspiring computer scientists for careers in software engineering, system design and architecture, computer programming, and web development.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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Why You Should Attend an Accredited Online College in North Carolina
You should attend an accredited online college in North Carolina because these colleges are affordable, offer high-quality education, and cover some of the most in-demand courses across various industries. Since these online schools can be attended from any part of the world, you also get freedom and flexibility when it comes to attending classes or taking exams.
Accredited Online Colleges in North Carolina FAQ
North Carolina’s most prestigious university is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Other great options are Duke University, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, and Wake Forest University.
No, UNC and UNC Charlotte are not the same. UNC is the university system, whereas UNC Charlotte is a university within the system.
The GPA requirement for UNC-Chapel Hill is 2.5. Students must also submit standardized test scores, like the ACT or SAT, to be considered for admission.
You can get an engineering degree at Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chappell Hill, and Wake Forest University. Apart from this, North Carolina State University at Raleigh, Gardner-Webb University, and Appalachian University also offer various degree options in computer science and related fields.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
