[College research](/) / [Rankings](/rankings/) # Hidden Gem Colleges in North Carolina (2026) Updated October 1, 2026 North Carolina has 12 four-year colleges on this list. This list includes only colleges whose overall score is at or above the 50th percentile nationally and whose admission rate is above 50%; colleges without a reported admission rate are left out. The colleges that qualify are ordered by overall score, highest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and reports $65,370 in median earnings for its graduates four years after completing. Among the 12 schools included, 11 are public and 1 is a private nonprofit institution. Public institutions make up 92% of the list. Elizabeth City State University posts the lowest average net price at $6,364. Appalachian State University holds the highest six-year completion rate at 75%. University of North Carolina at Charlotte ranks 98th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally. ## The ranked list 12 schools in list order | Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 1 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $65,370 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% | | | [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/majors/) reports [median earnings of $65,370](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list. | | 2 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC | $51,594 | $10,965 | $7,305 | 88.5% | | | With an [admission rate of 89%](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/admissions/), [University of North Carolina at Greensboro](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/majors/) carries an average net price of $10,965. | | 3 | East Carolina University · Greenville, NC | $60,888 | $15,739 | $10,046 | 89.2% | | | [East Carolina University](/school/east-carolina-university/majors/) posts a [six-year completion rate of 63%](/school/east-carolina-university/outcomes/) alongside median earnings of $60,888 for its graduates four years after completing. | | 4 | Winston-Salem State University · Winston-Salem, NC | $56,396 | $13,479 | $11,463 | 78.3% | | | [Winston-Salem State University](/school/winston-salem-state-university/majors/) ranks 4th on this list, with an [average net price of $11,463](/school/winston-salem-state-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000. | | 5 | Fayetteville State University · Fayetteville, NC | $51,687 | $7,892 | $6,233 | 82.2% | | | Median earnings for graduates of [Fayetteville State University](/school/fayetteville-state-university/majors/) four years after completing stand at $51,687, and its [average net price is $7,892](/school/fayetteville-state-university/cost/). | | 6 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $54,010 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% | | | [Appalachian State University](/school/appalachian-state-university/majors/) [graduates 75% of its students within six years](/school/appalachian-state-university/outcomes/) and reports median earnings of $54,010 for its graduates four years after completing. | | 7 | North Carolina Central University · Durham, NC | $50,812 | $15,359 | $13,032 | 87.0% | | | [North Carolina Central University](/school/north-carolina-central-university/majors/) [ranks 332nd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/north-carolina-central-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and admits 87% of applicants. | | 8 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $54,667 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% | | | An [average net price of $8,816](/school/western-carolina-university/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with median earnings of $54,667 at [Western Carolina University](/school/western-carolina-university/majors/) four years after completing. | | 9 | University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington, NC | $61,925 | $20,109 | $10,778 | 64.2% | | | [University of North Carolina Wilmington](/school/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington/majors/) [admits 64% of applicants](/school/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington/admissions/) and posts a six-year completion rate of 71%. | | 10 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Pembroke, NC | $49,668 | $10,260 | $7,919 | 93.3% | | | With an [admission rate of 93%](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-pembroke/admissions/), [University of North Carolina at Pembroke](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-pembroke/majors/) ranks 10th on this list and carries an average net price of $10,260. | | 11 | Elizabeth City State University · Elizabeth City, NC | $50,194 | $6,364 | $4,246 | 64.2% | | | Elizabeth City State University reports the lowest average net price on the page, at $6,364, and median earnings of $50,194 for its graduates four years after completing. | | 12 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary · Wake Forest, NC | $69,450 | $13,090 | $18,587 | 74.6% | | | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a private nonprofit institution in Wake Forest, reports median earnings of $69,450 for its graduates four years after completing. | ## How this list is ordered This list includes only colleges whose overall score is at or above the 50th percentile nationally and whose admission rate is above 50%; colleges without a reported admission rate are left out. The colleges that qualify are ordered by overall score, highest first, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#hidden-gem). The earnings figures cited on this page are medians for federally aided completers of the institution across all fields, measured four years after completing, among those working and not enrolled. The list does not measure graduate school enrollment, cost, who enrolls, or teaching quality. 11 of the 12 schools are public and 1 is private. ## Related rankings - [Best Colleges in North Carolina](/rankings/best-colleges-in-north-carolina/) - [Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-in-north-carolina/) - [Highest Paying Colleges in North Carolina](/rankings/highest-paying-colleges-in-north-carolina/) - [Best Colleges for Social Mobility in North Carolina](/rankings/best-colleges-for-social-mobility-in-north-carolina/)