1. Duke University
Overview
Location: Durham, North Carolina
Founded in 1838, Duke University is a private research university and one of the most prestigious institutions in the United States. Duke is known for its world-class programs in law, medicine, business, and engineering. The Fuqua School of Business and Duke University School of Medicine are consistently ranked among the best in the world. Duke’s strong athletic programs, especially in basketball, also attract national attention.
Quick Facts
- U.S. News Ranking: #7 National Universities
- Number of Students: About 16,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 6%
- Average SAT Score: 1500-1570
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities
- Duke Blue Devils Athletics
- Greek life
- Duke Student Government
- Duke Chronicle (student newspaper)
- DukeEngage (global service program)
Famous Alumni
- Tim Cook – CEO of Apple
- Melinda Gates – Co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Richard Nixon – Former U.S. President
- Ken Jeong – Actor and comedian
- Elizabeth Dole – Former U.S. Senator
Top Employers
- Apple
- Microsoft
- McKinsey & Company
- Duke University Health System
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
Overview
Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Founded in 1789, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the nation’s first public university and one of the oldest public universities in the United States. Known for its programs in public health, business, and law, UNC is a leader in research and innovation. The Kenan-Flagler Business School and Gillings School of Global Public Health are highly respected globally. UNC is also renowned for its athletics, particularly basketball.
Quick Facts
- U.S. News Ranking: #29 National Universities
- Number of Students: About 30,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Average SAT Score: 1300-1490
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities
- Tar Heels Athletics
- Greek life
- The Daily Tar Heel (student newspaper)
- Student government and leadership programs
- Carolina Union Activities Board
Famous Alumni
- Michael Jordan – NBA Hall of Famer
- John Edwards – Former U.S. Senator
- Mia Hamm – Olympic soccer player
- Andy Griffith – Actor
- Roy Williams – Former UNC Basketball Coach
Top Employers
- UNC Health
- IBM
- Deloitte
- SAS Institute
3. Wake Forest University
Overview
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Founded in 1834, Wake Forest University is a private university known for its commitment to academic excellence and personal growth. The university is well-regarded for its programs in business, law, and medicine. The School of Business and the Wake Forest School of Law are particularly renowned. Wake Forest is also known for its small class sizes and strong sense of community.
Quick Facts
- U.S. News Ranking: #47 National Universities
- Number of Students: About 8,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Average SAT Score: 1330-1490
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons Athletics
- Student Government
- Greek life
- Wake Forest Debate Team
- Volunteer and service programs
Famous Alumni
- Arnold Palmer – Golf legend
- Maya Angelou – Poet and civil rights activist
- Tim Duncan – NBA Hall of Famer
- Jill Abramson – Former New York Times Executive Editor
- Chris Paul – NBA player
Top Employers
- Wells Fargo
- Deloitte
- Bank of America
- Ernst & Young (EY)
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center
4. North Carolina State University (NC State)
Overview
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Founded in 1887, North Carolina State University is a public research university known for its strong programs in engineering, agriculture, and business. NC State is part of the Research Triangle, one of the most prominent high-tech research and development hubs in the United States. The College of Engineering is one of the largest and most respected in the country, and the Poole College of Management is highly ranked for its business programs.
Quick Facts
- U.S. News Ranking: #72 National Universities
- Number of Students: About 36,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 47%
- Average SAT Score: 1270-1420
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities
- Wolfpack Athletics
- Engineering and technology clubs
- Greek life
- Student government and leadership programs
- Entrepreneurship and innovation hubs
Famous Alumni
- Jim Goodnight – CEO of SAS Institute
- Philip Rivers – NFL quarterback
- Zach Galifianakis – Actor and comedian
- Rajendra Pachauri – Former chair of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- Bill Cowher – NFL coach and sports analyst
Top Employers
- IBM
- Cisco Systems
- SAS Institute
- Red Hat
- Lenovo
5. Davidson College
Overview
Location: Davidson, North Carolina
Founded in 1837, Davidson College is a private liberal arts college known for its academic rigor, honor code, and strong sense of community. Davidson is consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges in the United States. The college has strong programs in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, and it offers small class sizes that foster close student-faculty relationships. Davidson is also well known for its basketball program.
Quick Facts
- U.S. News Ranking: #15 National Liberal Arts Colleges
- Number of Students: About 2,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 18%
- Average SAT Score: 1330-1480
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities
- Wildcats Athletics
- Student Government Association
- Honor Council
- Greek life
- Community service and volunteer organizations
Famous Alumni
- Stephen Curry – NBA superstar
- Woodrow Wilson – Former U.S. President (attended briefly)
- Dean Rusk – Former U.S. Secretary of State
- Patricia Cornwell – Crime novelist
- Tony Snow – Former White House Press Secretary
Top Employers
- Bank of America
- Deloitte
- Duke Energy
- Wells Fargo
- Teach for America
6. Elon University
Overview
Location: Elon, North Carolina
Founded in 1889, Elon University is a private university known for its hands-on, experiential learning programs. Elon has highly respected programs in business, communications, and law. The university is also known for its study abroad programs and strong sense of community. Elon’s emphasis on leadership and global engagement helps students develop practical skills for the workforce.
Quick Facts
- U.S. News Ranking: #89 National Universities
- Number of Students: About 7,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 78%
- Average SAT Score: 1180-1340
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities
- Phoenix Athletics
- Elon News Network (student media)
- Greek life
- Student Government Association
- Study abroad and global engagement programs
Famous Alumni
- Martin Ritt – Director and screenwriter
- Jane McNeill – Actress (The Walking Dead)
- Grant Gustin – Actor (The Flash)
- Hunter Schafer – Actress and model
- Rich Blomquist – Emmy-winning writer (The Daily Show)
Top Employers
- Bank of America
- Red Ventures
- PwC
- Deloitte
7. Appalachian State University
Overview
Location: Boone, North Carolina
Founded in 1899, Appalachian State University is a public university located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Known for its strong programs in business, education, and sustainability, Appalachian State emphasizes a hands-on approach to learning, particularly in environmental and outdoor studies. The Walker College of Business and Reich College of Education are two of the university’s standout programs.
Quick Facts
- U.S. News Ranking: #6 Regional Universities South
- Number of Students: About 20,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Average SAT Score: 1090-1270
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities
- Mountaineers Athletics
- Sustainability and environmental groups
- Greek life
- Outdoor adventure and hiking clubs
- Student government and leadership programs
Famous Alumni
- Eric Church – Country music singer
- Stephen J. Dubner – Author (Freakonomics)
- Charlie Whiting – Formula 1 racing director
- Avery Hall – Actor (The Young and the Restless)
- Kelvin Sampson – NCAA basketball coach
Top Employers
- Appalachian State University
- SAS Institute
- Bank of America
- Watauga County Schools
- Red Ventures
8. University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte)
Overview
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Founded in 1946, UNC Charlotte is a public research university known for its strong engineering, business, and health science programs. UNC Charlotte is located in the state’s largest city and has strong ties to the business and financial sectors. The Belk College of Business and the William States Lee College of Engineering are particularly well-regarded.
Quick Facts
- U.S. News Ranking: #227 National Universities
- Number of Students: About 30,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Average SAT Score: 1120-1290
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities
- 49ers Athletics
- Business and entrepreneurship clubs
- Greek life
- Student government and leadership groups
- Robotics and engineering clubs
Famous Alumni
- Clay Aiken – Singer and TV personality
- Cedric Maxwell – NBA player and commentator
- John Swofford – Former ACC Commissioner
- Dan Forest – Former Lt. Governor of North Carolina
- Kenny Atkinson – NBA coach
Top Employers
- Bank of America
- Wells Fargo
- Duke Energy
- Red Ventures
- Atrium Health
9. East Carolina University (ECU)
Overview
Location: Greenville, North Carolina
Founded in 1907, East Carolina University is a public university known for its programs in healthcare, business, and education. The Brody School of Medicine is a leader in medical education, particularly in rural healthcare, and the College of Business is highly respected for its undergraduate and graduate programs. ECU is also known for its strong sense of school spirit and active campus life.
Quick Facts
- U.S. News Ranking: #213 National Universities
- Number of Students: About 28,000
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 88%
- Average SAT Score: 1030-1200
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities
- Pirates Athletics
- Greek life
- Student government
- Volunteer and service organizations
- Performing arts and theater groups
Famous Alumni
- Sandra Bullock – Academy Award-winning actress (attended briefly)
- Vince McMahon – CEO of WWE
- Emily Procter – Actress (CSI: Miami)
- Linda McMahon – Former WWE executive and U.S. Administrator of the Small Business Administration
- Chris Johnson – NFL player
Top Employers
- Vidant Health
- ECU Brody School of Medicine
- Wells Fargo
- Duke Energy
- BB&T
10. Queens University of Charlotte
Overview
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Founded in 1857, Queens University of Charlotte is a private university known for its personalized education and strong programs in business, healthcare, and the liberal arts. The McColl School of Business is highly regarded, and the university is known for its intimate class sizes and focus on experiential learning. Queens also offers a robust program in arts and communications.
Quick Facts
- U.S. News Ranking: #21 Regional Universities South
- Number of Students: About 2,400
- Degrees Offered: Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral degrees
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Average SAT Score: 1050-1230
Most Popular Extracurricular Activities
- Royals Athletics
- Student government and leadership programs
- Performing arts and music clubs
- Business and entrepreneurship groups
- Greek life
Famous Alumni
- Lynn Whitfield – Actress
- Rex Ogle – Author
- Patricia McBride – Ballet dancer
- Dwight Evans – U.S. Congressman
- David M. Rubenstein – Co-founder of The Carlyle Group
Top Employers
- Bank of America
- Wells Fargo
- Atrium Health
- Duke Energy
- Queens University of Charlotte