Colleges in North Carolina

Piedmont International University is a Bible-centered institution in Winston-Salem that also hosts Temple Baptist Seminary. PIU began in 1945 as the Piedmont Bible Institute, which served returning war veterans. The school offers degrees in religious studies, the humanities, and education. Students interested in sign language can major in interpreting and minor in American Sign Language. PIU supports students financially, with over 96% of students receiving some form of financial aid. PIU ranks as one of the best online colleges in North Carolina, hosting nearly two-thirds of its programs online. Only two graduate programs are not offered completely online. Students take seven-week courses and can begin during any of six enrollment periods. Some coursework is taught through the flipped classroom method.

Appalachian State University is located in Boone. The university’s quality enhancement plan focuses on global learning, with the goal of helping students explore the world through study abroad and programs like the global connections certificate. ASU also offers language courses online. Through centers in Hickory, Caldwell, and Burke, students in the distance learning program can take face-to-face classes. Appalachian State offers six bachelor's, 11 master’s, and nine certificate programs completely online. Distance programs include management, early childhood education, and nursing. Students can also earn a doctorate in educational leadership through a hybrid program. Online courses are taught through asynchronous and synchronous formats.

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro was a women’s college until 1964. The school serves nearly 20,000 students, and of undergraduates, 65% are female and 27% are African-American. UNCG makes inclusion and collaboration part of its mission statement and partially defines itself as an institution for distance learners. Students can complete coursework off-campus and online. UNCG, one of the best online schools in North Carolina, offers online undergraduate and graduate degrees in business and information technology, education, health, public service, and social sciences and humanities. All 50 states and Puerto Rico have authorized UNCG to offer online degrees to their residents. Courses are taught in synchronous and asynchronous formats, and distance learners pay a discounted tuition rate.

Gardner-Webb University, originally a Boilings Springs Baptist boarding school, is a Christian university that offers religious studies programs and a wide range of liberal arts and health sciences degrees. Students enjoy a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and extensive academic support services, including tutoring and programs tailored to first year students. Gardner-Webb is one of the top online colleges in North Carolina, with online bachelor's degrees in computer information systems and accounting and graduate degrees in business, education, English, and nursing. Students interested in teaching athletics can earn a master of arts in sport education online. Distance learners living in any state, except California, are eligible to earn a degree through Gardner-Webb.

Pfeiffer University has campuses in Misenheimer, Charlotte, and Raleigh-Durham and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school emphasizes community-building activities, like mission trips and community service. Pfeiffer encourages learning experiences outside of the classroom through internships and externships. The school's online offerings include a selection of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Pfeiffer is among online schools in North Carolina to offer master’s degrees in business administration, health administration, and the science of leadership. Students have the option to earn a joint degree. A master of science in financial fraud investigation is also available. Pfeiffer's RN to BSN program can only be taken online.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte provides its nearly 24,000 undergraduate students unique research and leadership opportunities. UNC Charlotte works with the local business community and hosts the annual Charlotte Venture Challenge, a start-up competition that connects area businesses with potential investors. The university's distance learning program has dedicated support and library staff. UNC Charlotte celebrates the diversity that distance learning brings to its student body, and even encourages distance learners to submit photographs of themselves and the school mascot, Norm the 49er. The colleges of education, engineering, and health and human resources offer online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. Coursework is taken synchronously and asynchronously.

Salem College, located in Winston-Salem, offers women the chance to join a sisterhood with a storied history. The college’s founding in 1772 makes it the oldest women’s college in America, and U.S. News and World Report ranks it as the 11th best in the country. Salem College’s online master of education in school counseling prepares distance learners who are working full time to become licensed school counselors. The counseling program lasts 36 months and follows a synchronous format, which includes online classes; weekend, on-campus seminars; and internships. With the first cohort graduating in 2014, this program is a recent addition to the school’s offerings and earns Salem College a spot on the list of the best online schools in North Carolina.

Campbell University is a private regional institution with five campuses that serve the center regions of North Carolina. The main campus, located in Buies Creek, is in the middle of the Research Triangle. Campbell University takes its name from its founder, J.A. Campbell, a Baptist minister who started the school in 1887 to address the lack of area schools. The university emphasizes volunteer work to its 6,800 students, logging over 80,000 hours of service each year. Campbell University began offering online coursework in 1999 and is one of the best online colleges in North Carolina. Campbell's online arm includes fully online programs at the certificate, associate, and bachelor's levels. Courses are completed in accelerated, eight-week formats. Distance learners interested in security and law enforcement can earn a bachelor of applied science in criminal justice, homeland security, and information technology security.

Fayetteville State University is a mid-sized institution that is proud to serve a diverse student body. The school provides students with a nurturing learning environment through its Center for Personal Development, Freshman Seminar Program, and Student Academic Services Center. Fayetteville offers career-focused degrees in fields like fire and emergency services administration and nursing. The school also offers more traditional programs like sociology and psychology. Fayetteville's bachelor's programs are degree completion programs, meaning students must complete general education requirements through a different school. The university began as a teaching school in 1867 and is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina.

In 1948, members of the Stone-Campbell movement founded Roanoke Bible College to train ministers, creating the foundation for the Mid-Atlantic Christian University in Elizabeth City. The university teaches arts and sciences along with Bible-focused programs. Mid-Atlantic Christian University’s distance learning program is part of the School of Professional Studies. Students with an associate degree or equivalent can complete a bachelor’s in Christian ministry, business administration, and family studies, all of which include a biblical major or minor program. The academic year for online courses comprises six, eight-week long sessions. Online students complete 40 hours of Christian service hours through service learning courses or independent projects, like teaching a Sunday School class or volunteering at a non-profit organization. Mid-Atlantic is one of the best online schools in North Carolina.

As a historically black constituent institution established in 1982, Winston-Salem State University was the first black institution in the country to award degrees to elementary school teachers. WSSU educates around 5,100 students annually and is one of the best online colleges of North Carolina. The school targets a distance learning population that does not have access to more traditional forms of education. Winston-Salem State offers eight certificate, graduate, and undergraduate online programs, including clinical laboratory science and teaching English as a second language. The school's RN to BSN is an off-campus program that has 18 off-site locations. Starting in fall 2017, the nursing program will only be offered in an online, cohort format.

Montreat College is a Presbyterian institution of higher education that is located outside of Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The school began as a retreat for Christian activities and is one of the best online colleges in North Carolina. The School of Adult and Graduate Studies supports an online program that offers five different undergraduate degrees, including a bachelor of science in cybersecurity and a master of science in management and leadership. With an endowment of approximately $6.9 million, Montreat College reports that 99% of its students receive financial aid. The college partners with local businesses through the Corporate Advantage Program, in which employees enrolled in the School of Adult and Graduate studies are eligible for a 10% tuition discount.

Lees-McRae College has dedicated itself to serving distance learners of the southern Appalachian Mountains since 1900. As one of the best online schools in North Carolina, Lees-McRae is committed to serving the wider community through its online degree-completion programs. Students must complete general education requirements before enrolling. The school offers an online bachelor’s in applied science in criminal justice and human services. The criminal justice program is only four semesters long. The college also offers an online bachelor of science in nursing and elementary education. Lees-McRae partners with Surry Community College to offer an in-person version of the elementary education bachelor’s program.

North Carolina Central University is located in Durham and was the country’s first public liberal arts school for African Americans. The school was founded in 1909. NCCU was the first UNC school to offer a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies, the second historically black college or university to establish an LGBTA Center, and is the only one to have a School of Library and Information Sciences. NCCU is one of the top online colleges in North Carolina and offers five online bachelor’s degrees, six online master’s degrees, and seven certificates. The university's master of library science requires students to earn 36 credits and has seven different tracks. NCCU partners with Granville Community College and Wake Tech Community College for its hybrid bachelor of science in criminal justice program.

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is located in a rural setting. The school's 6,200 students have 41 undergraduate and 17 graduate programs to choose from and benefit from a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio. UNC Pembroke was founded in 1887 to educate Native American teachers, who currently make up 15% of the school's student body. As one of the best online colleges in North Carolina, UNCP offers eight bachelor’s degrees online. Students may be able to complete some undergraduate, non-major courses online, but the school requires two credit hours of physical education, which is not available online. Among UNCP's five master's programs is a master's in business administration in supply chain management.

The university of Mount Olive, a Christian institution, has eight locations across the state, including Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Mount Olive is a Baptist university with a liberal arts tradition that emphasizes affordable education and innovation, especially in its distance learning programs. Its online master of business administration program is accelerated, taught asynchronously, and has three start dates each year. Other online offerings include a BS in criminal justice and criminology, an AS in general studies, an MS in nursing, and a master of education. This portfolio of flexible online programs makes UMO one of the best online colleges in North Carolina.

With nearly 9,700 students, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro is the largest historically black college or university in America. NC A&T is a land-grant university that was created through the Second Morrill Act of 1890. The school focuses on education and research in STEM and operates the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering along with the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. As one of the top online colleges in North Carolina, NC A&T offers distance learning programs in agriculture, business, education, electronics, environmental health and safety, family and consumer sciences, and more. Online offerings include undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. The online bachelor of science in geomatics is a unique program that prepares students for careers in surveying and cartography.

Located in High Point, North Carolina, John Wesley is an interdenominational Christian university with a history that dates back to 1903. The university was known as Laurel University from 2011 to 2016. JWU offers education in Christian ministry at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The university also offers degrees in management and nursing. JWU is among top online colleges in North Carolina. All degrees, except for the doctor of ministry and nursing bachelor's, are available completely online. Students interested in missionary work can earn a bachelor of arts in ministry with an intercultural studies concentration. The master of business administration in organizational leadership is only offered online and has three concentrations: human resource management, management, and nonprofit management. Online student resources include a writing lab.

Barton College is a Christian Church college located in Wilson. The school focuses on providing nursing, social work, and health and sport studies education. Barton continues to improve its online offerings. The college's Professional Studies program includes degrees in education, business, liberal studies, nursing, and social work, all of which require students to complete some coursework on campus. The bachelor of science in social work requires students to complete 100 hours of service learning and an internship of 420 hours. Students in the Professional Studies program pay a discounted tuition rate. Ninety-eight percent of students at Barton receive financial aid, with an average package of over $23,000.

William Peace University was founded as the Peace Institute in 1857. The university is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and was a women’s college until 2012. William Peace participates in the Cooperating Raleigh Colleges Consortium, which expands student access to resources at five local colleges. WPU’s focus on providing accessible education online through its School of Professional Studies earns its status as one of the top online colleges in North Carolina. Through the Moodle course management system, students can earn bachelor’s degrees in business administration, criminal justice, education, liberal studies, marketing, and psychology. Courses are accelerated, and students can begin their program during one of six yearly start dates.

Gaston College provides the community of Dallas and its satellite locations along the southwestern border of North Carolina with access to higher education. Driven by the evolving needs of the American workforce, Gaston’s academic programs integrate occupational training with general knowledge coursework delivered in a flexible online format. The school offers four fully online associate degrees and more than a dozen certificate options in areas such as medical billing and coding, information technology, and dietary management. Featuring one of the most supportive distance learning environments among online community colleges in North Carolina, Gaston equips its online students with a distance education handbook that addresses topics like online communication skills, study habits, and accessing online resources.

With three fully online associate degrees and four certificate programs, Haywood Community College promotes professional growth and upward mobility for both residents of Clyde and for distance learners throughout the region. One of the top online community colleges in North Carolina for students considering a degree in medical office administration, Haywood features a 71- to 72-credit associate in applied science that equips students with the skills needed for this occupation. Courses in procedural and diagnostic coding, medical auditing, and medical document editing prepare students for entry-level positions at community healthcare clinics, hospitals, and private practices. Haywood also offers an associate degree in early childhood education. Prospective students submit an online application and high school transcripts or GED scores.

Located in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College benefits from its community’s dedication to the arts and technological advancements. Currently enrolling more than 11,000 students annually, the school’s accessible online programs and academic culture attract students from locations across North Carolina and surrounding states. The college welcomes international students, and the school’s step-by-step admissions process ensures a smooth enrollment experience.

A top choice among online community colleges in North Carolina, Forsyth’s online associate degree in project management technology features courses in business psychology, finance, and leadership strategies. Prospective students can also pursue associate degrees in business administration, financial services, and healthcare management technology.

One of the longest operating online community colleges in North Carolina, Alamance Community College continues to adapt its academic programs to meet the vocational needs of its students. Alamance helps students accomplish their career goals in a supportive academic environment that emphasizes stewardship, lifelong learning, and cultural inclusion. The school offers three online associate degrees: the arts, general education, and fire protection. The online associate in arts degree lays the foundation for a four-year degree, and students complete a combination of required and elective courses for a total of 60 credits. The school’s associate of applied science in fire protection familiarizes students with fire codes, detection and investigation procedures, and emergency management.

One of the most academically diverse online community colleges in North Carolina, Surry Community College features eight fully online associate degrees in areas such as accounting and finance, criminal justice technology, and early childhood education. Located in Dobson, Surry facilitates degree attainment for busy working adults and for local high school students who receive free tuition while enrolled in high school.

The school’s newest online program, digital media technology, prepares students for careers in graphic and web design. The degree includes courses in digital animation, user interface design, and digital photography. Surry's open admissions offers something for everyone, whether students want to acquire new job skills through a certificate program or transfer to a university.

Central Piedmont Community College prides itself as one of the most student-oriented online community colleges in North Carolina. With a learning philosophy centered around global citizenship and social responsibility, the school ensures that students acquire the skills needed to ethically compete in the modern workforce. Central Piedmont’s online programs include accounting and business administration associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Comprised of 65-66 credits, the online business administration associate degree covers topics like business law, management principles, and economics. Students interested in earning their associate degree in accounting complete 69-70 credits and engage in courses such as business mathematics, income taxes, and payroll accounting. Both of these degrees allow students to pursue a four-year program with junior standing.

With more than 250 online courses and nine online associate degrees, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College stands out as one of the most comprehensive online community colleges in North Carolina. The school promotes career success through programs that emphasize economic sustainability, teamwork, and community partnerships. In addition to associate degrees in the arts, general education, and science, Rowan-Cabarrus features business-oriented associate degrees in marketing, accounting, and office administration. The school also features certificates in 30 areas of study, including small business management and cyber investigations.

To apply for an online course, students need a minimum accuplacer reading comprehension score of 65 or completion of an online course at another college.

Nestled in the small community of Dublin, Bladen Community College promotes accessibility through flexible online instructional methods, including interactive television, discussion forums, and assignments delivered through the Moodle LMS. This school offers several fully online degree and certificate programs, including early childhood education and office systems technology. Students who plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree but remain undecided about their major may complete an associate of arts or science degree that equips them with foundational knowledge. Areas of study include art appreciation, biology, and American government. A leader among online community colleges in North Carolina for student financial support, Bladen features several scholarship opportunities, including a basic skills scholarship for students who completed a GED.

Robeson Community College enrolled less than two dozen students when it opened its doors in 1965. Today, the school serves as one of the top online community colleges in North Carolina and enrolls more than 1,700 students. The school’s online programs allow students to flexibly achieve their career goals in business administration, criminal justice technology, and office administration. Powered by the Moodle LMS, online courses feature asynchronous and synchronous delivery methods. Robeson’s accessible faculty offer practical insights that enhance rote instruction. Some courses require students to complete proctored exams on campus or at an approved site. New online students complete an enrollment activity assignment for class and engage in ongoing weekly assignments throughout the semester.

One of the leading online community colleges in North Carolina for information technology education, Southwestern Community College offers three fully online information technology associate degrees in mobile applications development, software and web development, and support and services. In addition to its comprehensive information technology degrees, Southwestern features business administration concentrations in electronic commerce, entrepreneurship, and office administration. The school’s associate degrees consist of an average of 65 credits; certificate programs average approximately 15 credits.

Each of Southwestern’s degree and certificate programs embody the school’s mission to enhance curricula through innovative instructional methods that address the needs of the modern American workforce. Southwestern offers online tutoring, Blackboard assistance, and help navigating online instructional tools.

With a main campus in Raleigh, and five satellite locations throughout Wake County, Wake Technical Community College is the state’s largest community college. Not only does the school support the biggest student population among online community colleges in North Carolina, it also features numerous academic routes to employment, including workforce training and two-year associate degrees in areas such as accounting, graphic design, and supply chain management. The school’s hybrid human services technology/mental health associate degree prepares students for careers assisting mental health providers in case management, crisis intervention, and behavioral modification. Students new to online learning must complete the school’s eLearning intro consisting of three modules and quizzes.

Through a combination of community outreach, economic stimulation, and traditional and online instruction, James Sprunt Community College connects the people of Duplin County to several educational resources. The school currently offers one fully online certificate in early childhood education. Comprised of 14 credits, full-time students earn this certificate in a year or less and acquire knowledge of child development and creative activities.

James Sprunt also features several hybrid programs that allow students to complete a large portion of their degree online. One of the few online community colleges in North Carolina offering training in animal science, this school’s associate degree in applied animal science technology prepares students for careers in farm management and agricultural sales. The degree familiarizes students with swine, beef, and poultry production and animal health management.

Wayne Community College prioritizes student success. Students who need the flexibility of an online degree, certificate, or diploma may elect to enroll in one of Wayne’s distance learning programs. Online students engage in an integrated curriculum that includes a combination of interdisciplinary studies and occupational training. Prospective students with career interests in business administration, operations management, or medical office administration may pursue an online associate degree that prepares them for entry-level positions in their fields. One of top online community colleges in North Carolina for emergency management training, the school allows students to earn an online associate degree or certificate in emergency management technology.

Situated along the border of Edgecombe county and Nash county, Nash Community College enrolls roughly 12,000 students each year. In addition to its convenient location along interstate 95, Nash administers accessible online associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs. The school offers flexible distance education opportunities in business administration, public and safety services, and computer information technology. Higher education consumers considering online community colleges in North Carolina soon find that Nash features unique degrees in architectural technology, healthcare informatics, and human services technology. The 75-credit online architectural technology degree includes coursework in site planning, building codes, and environmental systems.

Beginning in 1967 with the purchase of an out-of-service prison facility in Hertford County, Roanoke-Chowan Community College serves residents of North Carolina’s inland coast and the surrounding regions by offering workforce preparation programs and a fully online university transfer associate degree. Students in search of a transfer program into one of the online community colleges in North Carolina may elect to complete Roanoke-Chowan’s online associate of arts to fulfill the first two years of a four-year program. This degree provides a broad liberal arts background that allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree in areas like anthropology, journalism, and psychology.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College supports western North Carolina’s largest metropolitan area through economic stimulation, workforce programs, and collaborative climate education. One of the largest online community colleges in North Carolina, Asheville-Buncombe enrolls approximately 7,000 curriculum students and 14,000 continuing education students. The school offers three fully online associate degrees in the arts, business administration, and fire protection technology. The 65-credit business administration degree serves as one of the school’s most popular programs, and full-time students graduate in five semesters. The school also offers online certificates in areas such as human services and youth studies, early childhood, and special education.

With a mission to enhance the North Carolina workforce through literacy initiatives and basic skills training, Craven Community College advocates for the wellbeing of both global learners and local residents. With some of the most populated online program offerings among online community colleges in North Carolina, Craven’s online associate degrees include criminal justice, early childhood education, and information technology. The school also features online business technologies associate degrees in accounting, business administration, and entrepreneurship. Business administration majors may elect to earn a concentration in operations management to further enhance their understanding of the field. Craven also offers online information technology certificates in 10 speciality areas.

Blue Ridge Community College connects residents of Henderson and Transylvania counties to the academic resources needed to thrive in the 21st century workforce. The school’s online programs operate through the Moodle LMS to deliver engaging assignments that emphasize practical training in areas such as criminal justice latent evidence, early childhood education, and business administration. One of the most user friendly online community colleges in North Carolina, Blue Ridge’s comprehensive online resources include college orientation and tutoring services. Students begin the process of earning their online degree, diploma, or certificate by completing five steps that conclude with a pre-enrollment placement test to determine the student's plan of study.

Sandhills Community College features a central location in the historically significant village of Pinehurst. One of the only online community colleges in North Carolina adjacent to a National Historic Landmark District, Sandhills honors its town’s heritage by promoting a flourishing economy powered by a skilled workforce. The college features two entirely online associate degrees and numerous online courses. Its online associate in applied science in business administration consists of 73 credits and includes topics in personal finance, business communication, and principles of marketing. Students enrolled in the program may elect to complete technical electives to enhance their marketability in areas such as payroll accounting, real estate, and customer service.

With an annual student enrollment over 7,000 and a 96% student satisfaction rate, Western Piedmont Community College excels in its mission to promote accessibility and student success. Featuring the only online paralegal degree among online community colleges in North Carolina, Western Piedmont sets the bar high for postsecondary education opportunities. The 67-credit online paralegal technology degree familiarizes students with commercial law, civil litigation, and legal research and writing.

In addition to its one-of-a-kind paralegal degree, the college offers online associate degrees in business administration and information technology -- and online diploma and certificate programs in several occupational areas. Students with career interests in criminal justice, environmental science, or medical office administration may earn a hybrid associate degree with 75% of coursework available online.