[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”heading-4″]North Carolina is home to one of the nation’s largest state university systems as well as many private colleges and universities that offer online degrees.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students in North Carolina continue to pursue bachelor’s degrees at increasingly higher rates. To address a shortage in college-educated professionals, the state coordinated with [hen-ui-link href=”https://dashboard.myfuturenc.org/”]myFutureNC[/hen-ui-link] to set a goal for more than 54% of adults over the age of 25 in the state to hold a bachelor’s degree by 2030 — an increase of 5% from 2019.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To better accommodate students, many universities and colleges in North Carolina have turned to online education. Online learning allows students from all corners of the state to access programs with reduced travel and living costs. In fact, North Carolina boasts one of the largest [hen-ui-link href=”https://programs.northcarolina.edu/”]online educational systems[/hen-ui-link], offering more than 400 degree options.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-tertiary”]Featured Online Schools[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students considering attending an online university in North Carolina may feel intimidated by the sheer number of available options. We hope to help make that process a little easier with this page, which ranks of best online colleges in North Carolina. Our list considers the top schools in the state, along with available employment opportunities after graduation.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Colleges in North Carolina[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Online Colleges in North Carolina Ranking Guidelines[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]We selected the online schools in North Carolina based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, and faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”employment”]Employment in North Carolina[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The overall employment outlook in the state appears strong. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) project the addition of more than [hen-ui-link href=”https://files.nc.gov/nccommerce/documents/LEAD/Projections/2018-2028_NC_Employment_Projections_Summary.pdf/”]300,000 jobs[/hen-ui-link] from 2018-2028. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.nc.htm/”]unemployment rate of 6.2%[/hen-ui-link] is about the same as the [hen-ui-link href=”https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000/”]national unemployment rate[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The state offers growing opportunities in most of its major industries, including aerospace and defense, biotechnology, and business and financial services. Many organizations within these industries and others focus on innovation, which bodes well for future professionals in those industries.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/2018/may/oes_nc.htm/”]BLS data[/hen-ui-link], the state’s $47,200 median annual salary exceeds the median annual salary for all occupations by more than $7,000. Additionally, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/northcarolina/”]90.6 cost of living index[/hen-ui-link] suggests that life in North Carolina is less expensive than the national average.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Below are some of the fastest-growing and highest-paying careers in North Carolina, including some of the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in North Carolina. Salary information applies specifically to North Carolina, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Fastest-Growing, Highest-Paying Careers[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2019)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Optometrists[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm/”]$138,200[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm/”]4%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Veterinarians[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinarians.htm/”]$112,930[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinarians.htm/”]16%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctoral[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Real Estate Brokers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm/”]$84,770[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm/”]3%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]High School Diploma[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Interpreters and Translators[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/interpreters-and-translators.htm/”]$58,040[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/interpreters-and-translators.htm/”]20%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s Degree[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nc.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following data reflects the highest-paying roles employing more than 3,500 professionals in North Carolina. Salary figures apply specifically to North Carolina, while job growth data refers to the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Most Common Careers in South Carolina[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2019)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Typically Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Health Specialties Postsecondary Teachers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm/”]$140,740[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm/”]21%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Typically Required”]Master’s or Doctoral[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Financial Examiners[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-examiners.htm/”]$73,400[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-examiners.htm/”]7%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Typically Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm/”]$62,740[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/aircraft-and-avionics-equipment-mechanics-and-technicians.htm/”]5%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Typically Required”]Associate or Trade[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Flight Attendants[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2019)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/flight-attendants.htm/”]$56,270[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/flight-attendants.htm/”]17%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Typically Required”]High School Diploma[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nc.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”other-degrees”]Online Associate and Graduate Degrees[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to the many bachelor’s degrees available through online colleges in North Carolina, the state also offers access to online associate and graduate programs. With COVID-19 pushing many classes across the country online, the state strengthened its online learning infrastructure, allowing for more programs and courses in the future.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many of North Carolina’s online schools focus on growth industries, encouraging students to take advantage of the state’s major employment sectors. For example, students can find programs in nursing, business, and information technology at the associate, bachelor’s, and graduate levels.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These programs and other online degrees provide the same training as on-campus schools, but through different delivery modes and schedules. Online students can commonly choose between [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-programs-courses/”]asynchronous and synchronous programs[/hen-ui-link], with the former providing more flexibility and the latter offering a more collaborative, real-time environment. Online programs may also offer accelerated completion schedules for learners who can handle a heavier course load.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to delivery mode, online learners should consider other factors that vary with online learning. For example, students should think about tuition price differences for residents and nonresidents, on-campus residency requirements, and [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/transfer-credits-online-colleges/”]online transfer credit[/hen-ui-link] opportunities. For more information about online education, check out our online learning [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]overview and resource guide[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”faqs”]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Is Community College Free in North Carolina?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students need to pay tuition at most community colleges in North Carolina, but [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.warren-wilson.edu/admission/tuition-and-aid/ncfree/”]some colleges offer free tuition[/hen-ui-link] for learners who qualify for financial aid.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Is NC Promise?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.northcarolina.edu/future-students/nc-promise/”]NC Promise[/hen-ui-link] is an agreement among three University of North Carolina system schools to maintain a standard tuition rate of $500 per semester.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Schools Participate in NC Promise?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Western Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke participate in NC Promise. The state also offers the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement, which allows for easier transfer of credits between schools.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What GPA Do You Need To Attend School in North Carolina?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]All students can attend college in North Carolina, regardless of their GPA. While some schools set a 2.0 GPA minimum for applicants, others have open admission requirements for candidates with high school diplomas or GED certificates.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Does NC State Offer Online Degrees?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsu.edu/academics/magazine/why-online-college/”]NC State[/hen-ui-link] features a robust online learning system with more than 1,000 online courses and over 100 online programs.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Does UNC Have Online Courses?”] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”sm”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://programs.northcarolina.edu/”]UNC online system[/hen-ui-link] connects online programs and courses from 17 campuses. Students can take standalone courses or choose from hundreds of program options.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Ivy League School Is in North Carolina?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While the state does not have any Ivy League schools, North Carolina does host some of the country’s oldest and most prestigious colleges and universities, including University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What Are the 17 UNC System Universities?”]

• Appalachian State University
• East Carolina University
• Elizabeth City State University
• Fayetteville State University
• North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
• North Carolina Central University
• North Carolina State University
• University of North Carolina – Asheville
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of North Carolina at Pembroke
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts
• University of North Carolina at Wilmington
• Western Carolina University
• Winston-Salem State University
• North Carolina School of Science and Math – public high school

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