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# Best Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Programs in this field[Computer Science](/rankings/best-computer-science-programs-in-north-carolina/)

This page ranks the 23 schools in North Carolina for Computer Science by median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. [Duke University](/school/duke-university/majors/) leads at $195,809, followed by [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/majors/) at $132,136 and [Wake Forest University](/school/wake-forest-university/majors/) at $115,493.

The median across the listed schools is $84,462, with figures ranging from $195,809 to $36,164.

Public institutions account for 65% of the list, with 15 schools alongside 8 private nonprofits. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks 50th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, the strongest showing on the page. Elizabeth City State University posts the lowest average net price at $6,364.

## The ranked list

23 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Computer Science Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Duke University · Durham, NC | $195,809 | $29,612 | $735 | 5.7% |
|  | [Duke University](/school/duke-university/majors/) reports [$195,809 in median earnings](/school/duke-university/outcomes/) of Computer Science graduates four years after completing and admits just 6% of applicants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (370 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($195,809) |
| 2 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC | $132,136 | $11,655 | $2,004 | 15.3% |
|  | With an [average net price of $2,004](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/majors/) ranks 50th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (432 graduates), Information Science/Studies (68 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($137,047), Information Science/Studies ($100,940) |
| 3 | Wake Forest University · Winston-Salem, NC | $115,493 | $28,719 | $6,525 | 21.7% |
|  | [Wake Forest University](/school/wake-forest-university/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 89%](/school/wake-forest-university/outcomes/) and median earnings of $115,493 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (49 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($115,493) |
| 4 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC | $113,478 | $17,303 | $6,382 | 41.7% |
|  | [North Carolina State University at Raleigh](/school/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh/majors/) ranks 4th on this list, with [$113,478 in median earnings](/school/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh/outcomes/) of Computer Science graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 42%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (281 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($113,478) |
| 5 | North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC | $105,342 | $10,846 | $8,223 | 49.9% |
|  | A public university in Greensboro, [North Carolina A & T State University](/school/north-carolina-a-t-state-university/majors/) reports $105,342 four years after completing and an [average net price of $10,846](/school/north-carolina-a-t-state-university/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (76 graduates), Computer Science (57 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($105,342) |
| 6 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $97,670 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% |
|  | [Appalachian State University](/school/appalachian-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $97,670](/school/appalachian-state-university/outcomes/) for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing and admits 90% of applicants. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (67 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($97,670) |
| 7 | East Carolina University · Greenville, NC | $94,553 | $15,739 | $10,046 | 89.2% |
|  | [East Carolina University](/school/east-carolina-university/majors/) [ranks 180th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/east-carolina-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $94,553 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (52 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (46 graduates), Information Science/Studies (6 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($98,406), Computer and Information Sciences, General ($90,197) |
| 8 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $91,859 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% |
|  | With an [average net price of $10,357](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/majors/) posts median earnings of $91,859 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (593 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (79 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($93,037) |
| 9 | University of North Carolina Asheville · Asheville, NC | $88,084 | $12,250 | $8,219 | 91.9% |
|  | University of North Carolina Asheville admits 92% of applicants and reports $88,084 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($88,084) |
| 10 | North Carolina Central University · Durham, NC | $88,053 | $15,359 | $13,032 | 87.0% |
|  | [North Carolina Central University](/school/north-carolina-central-university/majors/) ranks 10th on this list, with a [six-year completion rate of 42%](/school/north-carolina-central-university/outcomes/) and median earnings of $88,053 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (20 graduates) |
| 11 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $86,853 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% |
|  | [Western Carolina University](/school/western-carolina-university/majors/) reports $86,853 four years after completing and an [average net price of $13,315](/school/western-carolina-university/cost/). |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($86,853) |
| 12 | Winston-Salem State University · Winston-Salem, NC | $84,462 | $13,479 | $11,463 | 78.3% |
|  | [Winston-Salem State University](/school/winston-salem-state-university/majors/) [ranks 223rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/winston-salem-state-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows median earnings of $84,462 for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (17 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($94,298), Computer and Information Sciences, General ($63,562) |
| 13 | University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington, NC | $83,059 | $20,109 | $10,778 | 64.2% |
|  | [University of North Carolina Wilmington](/school/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington/majors/) reports [$83,059 in median earnings](/school/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington/outcomes/) of Computer Science graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $20,109. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (86 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (40 graduates), Computer Software and Media Applications (9 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($88,219) |
| 14 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC | $74,429 | $10,965 | $7,305 | 88.5% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 56%](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/outcomes/), [University of North Carolina at Greensboro](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/majors/) posts $74,429 in median earnings for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (109 graduates), Computer Science (56 graduates), Information Science/Studies (7 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($86,372), Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications ($68,293) |
| 15 | Campbell University · Buies Creek, NC | $70,503 | $24,516 | $20,751 | 87.2% |
|  | Campbell University, a private nonprofit university in Buies Creek, admits 87% of applicants and shows $70,503 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (31 graduates), Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General ($71,497) |
| 16 | Elizabeth City State University · Elizabeth City, NC | $68,723 | $6,364 | $4,246 | 64.2% |
|  | Elizabeth City State University carries the lowest average net price on this list at $6,364 and reports $68,723 in median earnings for its Computer Science graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (13 graduates) |
| 17 | Gardner-Webb University · Boiling Springs, NC | $68,175 | $17,674 | $15,304 | 77.2% |
|  | Gardner-Webb University ranks 823rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and lists $68,175 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (22 graduates) |
| 18 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Pembroke, NC | $66,559 | $10,260 | $7,919 | 93.3% |
|  | [University of North Carolina at Pembroke](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-pembroke/majors/) [admits 93% of applicants](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-pembroke/admissions/), and its Computer Science graduates earn a median of $66,559 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (29 graduates), Computer Science (28 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($80,579), Computer and Information Sciences, General ($53,022) |
| 19 | Guilford College · Greensboro, NC | $65,823 | $22,270 | $18,367 | 80.0% |
|  | Guilford College reports an average net price of $18,367 for families earning under $30,000 and $65,823 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (8 graduates), Computer and Information Sciences, General (6 graduates) |
| 20 | North Carolina Wesleyan University · Rocky Mount, NC | $53,598 | $17,432 | $16,114 | 80.2% |
|  | Graduates of North Carolina Wesleyan University earn a median of $53,598 four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate stands at 42%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (33 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer and Information Sciences, General ($53,598) |
| 21 | Livingstone College · Salisbury, NC | $41,458 | $13,479 | $13,860 | 59.3% |
|  | Livingstone College lists $41,458 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $13,479. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (9 graduates) |
| 22 | Johnson C Smith University · Charlotte, NC | $39,741 | $20,894 | $19,940 | 45.2% |
|  | Johnson C Smith University reports $39,741 in median earnings two years after completing and an average net price of $19,940 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer and Information Sciences, General (16 graduates) |
| 23 | Fayetteville State University · Fayetteville, NC | $36,164 | $7,892 | $6,233 | 82.2% |
|  | [Fayetteville State University](/school/fayetteville-state-university/majors/) [ranks 275th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/fayetteville-state-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports $36,164 in median earnings of Computer Science graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Computer Science (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Computer Science ($36,164) |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Computer Science graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only schools with a reported Computer Science earnings cohort in North Carolina appear. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 1 of the 23 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The gap between first-ranked Duke University and second-ranked University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $63,673, while the spread from the top of the list to the bottom reaches $159,645.

## Job market context in North Carolina

Computer Science graduates in North Carolina enter a labor market that links to occupations such as Software Developers, Computer Systems Analysts, and Computer User Support Specialists. The median annual wage across those occupations is $109,132, though a quarter of workers in those occupations earn less than $83,778. Projections for 2024 to 2034 put employment in those occupations about 9.9% higher, with 14,470 projected openings a year, or about 477 openings a year for every hundred graduates, more projected openings than graduates. Wages and top occupations exclude management occupations; openings include them. The ranking above uses graduate earnings four years after completing; the market figures describe the occupations, not any listed school's result.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Computer Science Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-computer-science-colleges/)
-   [Best Colleges in North Carolina](/rankings/best-colleges-in-north-carolina/)
-   [Best Computer Science Colleges in Texas](/rankings/best-computer-science-colleges-in-texas/)
-   [Best Computer Science Colleges in California](/rankings/best-computer-science-colleges-in-california/)
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-   [Best Computer Science Colleges in Tennessee](/rankings/best-computer-science-colleges-in-tennessee/)
-   Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina for Social Mobility