# Best Master's Programs in North Carolina

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-06-12 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-north-carolina

## Methodology

Master's programs in North Carolina ranked by graduate outcomes

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering a master's program in North Carolina, prospective students have plenty of strong options to choose from. These schools not only excel in academics but also lead to impressive outcomes for graduates. For instance, the average earnings for graduates from these programs is $50,708, which speaks to the value of investing in further education.

What sets the top schools apart in this list are their graduate outcomes, including earnings, completion rates, and student debt levels. High earnings can indicate strong job placement, while graduation rates reflect program support and student success. As you explore the rankings below, keep in mind how each school's metrics align with your own goals and financial considerations.

Take, for example, Duke University and North Carolina State University. Duke graduates earn an average of $97,800, while NC State graduates earn $68,758. However, the trade-off is evident in their net prices: Duke's is $29,612 compared to NC State's $17,303. This contrast highlights the importance of balancing potential earnings against the financial burden of debt.

## Key Findings

- Duke University graduates earn an average of $97,800, the highest in this ranking.
- The average graduation rate for these programs is 55%, indicating room for improvement.
- UNC Chapel Hill has a net price of $11,655, making it the most affordable option among the top five.
- Wake Forest University's average debt is $21,500, which is significant compared to others on the list.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Duke University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/duke-university) | Durham, NC | 96% | $97,800 | $29,612 | $13,000 | 0.13x |
| 2 | [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill) | Chapel Hill, NC | 92% | $72,200 | $11,655 | $14,000 | 0.19x |
| 3 | [Davidson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/davidson-college) | Davidson, NC | 91% | $81,400 | $17,379 | $18,688 | 0.23x |
| 4 | [Wake Forest University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wake-forest-university) | Winston-Salem, NC | 90% | $78,158 | $28,719 | $21,500 | 0.28x |
| 5 | [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte) | Charlotte, NC | 68% | $57,289 | $15,435 | $21,500 | 0.38x |
| 6 | [University of North Carolina Wilmington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-wilmington) | Wilmington, NC | 71% | $54,967 | $20,109 | $19,500 | 0.35x |
| 7 | [Appalachian State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/appalachian-state-university) | Boone, NC | 74% | $51,836 | $16,836 | $20,231 | 0.39x |
| 8 | [East Carolina University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/east-carolina-university) | Greenville, NC | 62% | $55,146 | $15,739 | $22,750 | 0.41x |
| 9 | [University of North Carolina School of the Arts](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-school-of-the-arts) | Winston Salem, NC | 78% | $38,357 | $14,906 | $23,870 | 0.62x |
| 10 | [University of North Carolina Asheville](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-asheville) | Asheville, NC | 55% | $44,030 | $12,250 | $20,500 | 0.47x |
| 11 | [Western Carolina University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-carolina-university) | Cullowhee, NC | 60% | $49,458 | $13,315 | $21,868 | 0.44x |
| 12 | [North Carolina State University at Raleigh](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-carolina-state-university-at-raleigh) | Raleigh, NC | 85% | $68,758 | $17,303 | $20,121 | 0.29x |
| 13 | [Elon University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/elon-university) | Elon, NC | 84% | $74,545 | $41,555 | $20,500 | 0.28x |
| 14 | [University of North Carolina at Greensboro](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro) | Greensboro, NC | 57% | $48,160 | $10,965 | $22,858 | 0.47x |
| 15 | [Elizabeth City State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/elizabeth-city-state-university) | Elizabeth City, NC | 46% | $40,026 | $6,364 | $21,463 | 0.54x |
| 16 | [Meredith College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/meredith-college) | Raleigh, NC | 68% | $51,539 | $22,488 | $25,000 | 0.49x |
| 17 | [University of North Carolina at Pembroke](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-pembroke) | Pembroke, NC | 44% | $43,407 | $10,260 | $25,000 | 0.58x |
| 18 | [Fayetteville State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fayetteville-state-university) | Fayetteville, NC | 37% | $40,144 | $7,892 | $22,987 | 0.57x |
| 19 | [University of Mount Olive](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-mount-olive) | Mount Olive, NC | 50% | $47,139 | $18,853 | $27,209 | 0.58x |
| 20 | [Catawba College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/catawba-college) | Salisbury, NC | 50% | $48,793 | $17,879 | $25,000 | 0.51x |
| 21 | [Campbell University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/campbell-university) | Buies Creek, NC | 58% | $54,886 | $24,516 | $22,500 | 0.41x |
| 22 | [North Carolina A & T State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-carolina-a-t-state-university) | Greensboro, NC | 56% | $44,440 | $10,846 | $27,000 | 0.61x |
| 23 | [Wingate University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wingate-university) | Wingate, NC | 47% | $52,649 | $20,748 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 24 | [Salem College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/salem-college) | Winston-Salem, NC | 57% | $44,640 | $18,277 | $26,649 | 0.6x |
| 25 | [Winston-Salem State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/winston-salem-state-university) | Winston-Salem, NC | 48% | $45,344 | $13,479 | $25,000 | 0.55x |
| 26 | [High Point University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/high-point-university) | High Point, NC | 72% | $61,389 | $38,707 | $24,575 | 0.4x |
| 27 | [William Peace University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-peace-university) | Raleigh, NC | 45% | $46,643 | $21,649 | $22,250 | 0.48x |
| 28 | [Barton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/barton-college) | Wilson, NC | 48% | $47,913 | $23,626 | $25,877 | 0.54x |
| 29 | [Greensboro College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/greensboro-college) | Greensboro, NC | 43% | $46,566 | $17,882 | $25,607 | 0.55x |
| 30 | [Lenoir-Rhyne University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lenoir-rhyne-university) | Hickory, NC | 49% | $45,543 | $20,689 | $26,000 | 0.57x |
| 31 | [Queens University of Charlotte](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/queens-university-of-charlotte) | Charlotte, NC | 64% | $57,673 | $30,857 | $25,000 | 0.43x |
| 32 | [Guilford College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/guilford-college) | Greensboro, NC | 47% | $47,590 | $22,270 | $26,000 | 0.55x |
| 33 | [Pfeiffer University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pfeiffer-university) | Misenheimer, NC | 39% | $51,562 | $19,076 | $26,163 | 0.51x |
| 34 | [Belmont Abbey College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/belmont-abbey-college) | Belmont, NC | 47% | $47,937 | $24,639 | $26,000 | 0.54x |
| 35 | [North Carolina Central University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-carolina-central-university) | Durham, NC | 44% | $42,968 | $15,359 | $28,250 | 0.66x |
| 36 | [North Carolina Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/north-carolina-wesleyan-university) | Rocky Mount, NC | 41% | $45,873 | $17,432 | $25,000 | 0.54x |
| 37 | [Warren Wilson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/warren-wilson-college) | Swannanoa, NC | 42% | $36,260 | $21,249 | $25,000 | 0.69x |
| 38 | [Brevard College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brevard-college) | Brevard, NC | 44% | $43,545 | $23,509 | $25,000 | 0.57x |
| 39 | [Lees-McRae College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lees-mcrae-college) | Banner Elk, NC | 43% | $43,415 | $28,340 | $17,375 | 0.4x |
| 40 | [Methodist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/methodist-university) | Fayetteville, NC | 42% | $48,050 | $24,704 | $27,000 | 0.56x |
| 41 | [Gardner-Webb University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/gardner-webb-university) | Boiling Springs, NC | 59% | $48,039 | $17,674 | $24,222 | 0.5x |
| 42 | [Mars Hill University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mars-hill-university) | Mars Hill, NC | 43% | $44,781 | $19,910 | $26,000 | 0.58x |
| 43 | [Chowan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chowan-university) | Murfreesboro, NC | 29% | $38,412 | $14,086 | $29,491 | 0.77x |
| 44 | [Cabarrus College of Health Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cabarrus-college-of-health-sciences) | Concord, NC | 62% | $58,708 | $17,618 | $16,000 | 0.27x |
| 45 | [Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johnson-wales-university-charlotte) | Charlotte, NC | 51% | $43,418 | $27,426 | $26,000 | 0.6x |
| 46 | [Shaw University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/shaw-university) | Raleigh, NC | 21% | $34,409 | $16,512 | $32,500 | 0.94x |
| 47 | [Montreat College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/montreat-college) | Montreat, NC | 45% | $45,151 | $27,061 | $25,813 | 0.57x |
| 48 | [Livingstone College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/livingstone-college) | Salisbury, NC | 26% | $32,600 | $13,479 | $31,125 | 0.95x |
| 49 | [Johnson C Smith University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/johnson-c-smith-university) | Charlotte, NC | 34% | $42,680 | $20,894 | $30,000 | 0.7x |
| 50 | [Carolina University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/carolina-university) | Winston-Salem, NC | 24% | $32,864 | $20,828 | $20,287 | 0.62x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Master's Programs in North Carolina." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-06-12. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-north-carolina

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.