Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina
- 50
- Schools
- $46,185
- Avg. Earnings
- 51%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,053
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,655
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $30,591 at the low end to $97,800 at the top. That 3.2× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Durham Technical Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $36,142 against $1,664 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Durham Technical Community College, at $1,664 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Duke University graduates 96% of its students, well above the 51% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Duke University: graduates owe only 0.13× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Durham Technical Community College ($1,664/yr) and Elon University ($41,555/yr) produce graduates earning $36,142 and $74,545 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $39,891 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Durham Technical Community College outperforms Duke University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Duke University graduates 96% of its students versus 28% at Bladen Community College. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Durham Technical Community College and Duke University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $46K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Duke University #1 overall | $97,800 ▲ +112% vs avg | $29,612 | 96% | 83 |
| 2 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill #2 overall | $72,200 ▲ +56% vs avg | $11,655 | 92% | 82 |
| 3 University of North Carolina Wilmington #3 overall | $54,967 ▲ +19% vs avg | $20,109 | 71% | 81 |
| $45,344 ▼ -2% vs avg | $13,479 | 48% | 78 | |
| $49,458 ▲ +7% vs avg | $13,315 | 60% | 77 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $46,185 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 51% and an average net price of $15,053.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Durham Technical Community College — Net Price: $1,664 | Graduation Rate: 40%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Duke University — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Duke University — Median alumni earnings: $97,800
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$45,444
Median earnings (10yr)
48%
Median graduation rate
$15,397
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
The healthcare workforce pipeline starts in classrooms and clinical rotations like the ones behind this list. An aging population, persistent nursing shortages, and rising demand for clinical services have made these programs essential infrastructure. The strongest ones stand out on clinical partnerships and licensure outcomes, the two factors that translate most directly into hiring.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $45,444 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 48%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $15,397 a year with about $22,858 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 37% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.3%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. Duke University tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $45,444 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Duke University lands at #1 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $97,800 a decade after enrolling, 112% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,612 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Chapel Hill, NC · 15% accepted · $11,655 net
Why it ranks #2
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill lands at #2 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (77/100). Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade after enrolling, 56% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,655 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Wilmington, NC · 64% accepted · $20,109 net
Why it ranks #3
University of North Carolina Wilmington lands at #3 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $54,967 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,109 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Winston-Salem State University lands at #4 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $45,344 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,479 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Western Carolina University lands at #5 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $49,458 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,315 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
East Carolina University lands at #6 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $55,146 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,739 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Queens University of Charlotte lands at #7 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $57,673 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,857 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Charlotte, NC · 80% accepted · $15,435 net
Why it ranks #8
University of North Carolina at Charlotte lands at #8 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,289 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,435 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Greensboro, NC · 89% accepted · $10,965 net
Why it ranks #9
University of North Carolina at Greensboro lands at #9 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $48,160 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,965 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of Mount Olive lands at #10 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,139 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,853 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Durham Technical Community College lands at #11 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,142 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,664 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Fayetteville State University lands at #12 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,144 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,892 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute lands at #13 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $34,515 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,810 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Forsyth Technical Community College lands at #14 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $34,139 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,200 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Salem College lands at #15 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,640 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,277 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Appalachian State University lands at #16 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $51,836 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,836 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
William Peace University lands at #17 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $46,643 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,649 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Campbell University lands at #18 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,886 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,516 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Wilson Community College lands at #19 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $32,973 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,064 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Asheville, NC · 92% accepted · $12,250 net
Why it ranks #20
University of North Carolina Asheville lands at #20 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $44,030 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,250 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Elon University lands at #21 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $74,545 a decade after enrolling, 61% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,555 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Meredith College lands at #22 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $51,539 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,488 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
North Carolina Wesleyan University lands at #23 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $45,873 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,432 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Barton College lands at #24 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $47,913 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,626 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Catawba College lands at #25 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $48,793 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,879 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Pfeiffer University lands at #26 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $51,562 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,076 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Pembroke, NC · 93% accepted · $10,260 net
Why it ranks #27
University of North Carolina at Pembroke lands at #27 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $43,407 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,260 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Belmont Abbey College lands at #28 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $47,937 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,639 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Central Piedmont Community College lands at #29 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $37,865 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,345 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Greensboro, NC · 50% accepted · $10,846 net
Why it ranks #30
North Carolina A & T State University lands at #30 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $44,440 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,846 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Greensboro College lands at #31 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $46,566 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,882 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Wingate University lands at #32 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $52,649 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,748 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Cape Fear Community College lands at #33 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $38,654 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,610 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Western Piedmont Community College lands at #34 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (50/100). Graduates earn a median $34,195 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,448 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Lenoir-Rhyne University lands at #35 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $45,543 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,689 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
North Carolina Central University lands at #36 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,968 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,359 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Gardner-Webb University lands at #37 with a 66/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $48,039 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,674 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Mars Hill University lands at #38 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $44,781 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,910 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Catawba Valley Community College lands at #39 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $36,977 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,528 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Mayland Community College lands at #40 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,663 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,861 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Guilford Technical Community College lands at #41 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $33,934 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,002 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Johnston Community College lands at #42 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (97/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $37,310 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,776 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Sandhills Community College lands at #43 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (47/100). Graduates earn a median $31,656 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,157 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Bladen Community College lands at #44 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (44/100). Graduates earn a median $30,591 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,551 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Southwestern Community College lands at #45 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $34,145 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,207 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Brevard College lands at #46 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $43,545 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,509 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Craven Community College lands at #47 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,231 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,289 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
McDowell Technical Community College lands at #48 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $33,035 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,784 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences lands at #49 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (27/100). Graduates earn a median $58,708 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,618 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Methodist University lands at #50 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $48,050 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,704 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing the right nursing program is critical for aspiring healthcare professionals, especially in a state like North Carolina, where the demand for qualified nurses continues to rise. With 50 nursing colleges to consider, prospective students have plenty of options, but not all programs deliver the same outcomes. In fact, the average earnings for nursing graduates in the state stand at $44,997, highlighting the potential financial benefits of making an informed choice.
What sets the top nursing programs apart are their graduation rates, average earnings, debt load, and the ability to improve social mobility for graduates. For instance, the schools in this ranking show a significant variation in graduation rates, from a low of 31% to a high of 96%. This data helps illuminate which programs are effectively preparing students for a successful career in nursing, allowing readers to weigh their options with concrete metrics.
Take Duke University and Forsyth Technical Community College, for example. Duke boasts a remarkable 96% graduation rate and average earnings of $97,800, while Forsyth's numbers are strikingly lower, with only a 31% graduation rate and earnings of $34,139. These differences illustrate the trade-offs that can come with choosing a program, and they provide a clear reason to explore the details of each school further.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 47 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.3%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Methodist University leads the group at 3.2%, with Campbell University (3.1%) and Winston-Salem State University (3%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 11.6% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Bladen Community College enrolls the most, at 31.4%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 15.1% across the list, peaking at 50.4% at Duke University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.11, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Elon University is highest at 1.82.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing nursing programs, the differences can be striking. For example, Duke University’s impressive earnings of $97,800 and graduation rate of 96% contrast sharply with Forsyth Technical Community College's lower earnings of $34,139 and a graduation rate of just 31%. This disparity highlights how critical it is to consider not only potential earnings but also the likelihood of completing the program.
After reviewing the data across 50 schools, consider how these factors align with your personal circumstances. Think about location, financial aid options, and campus culture. Are you willing to take on more debt for a higher return on investment? Or is a more affordable option with lower earnings potential a better fit for your immediate needs?
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life hinges on making informed decisions about education. One family’s choice could mean the difference between a stable career and struggling to find work. Paying attention to earnings, graduation rates, and debt can help ensure that the investment in a nursing education pays off in the long run.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina ranking? +
Duke University in Durham, NC ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $97,800 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 96% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Duke University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $97,800 ten years after enrollment, well above the $46,185 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Durham Technical Community College leads: graduates earn a median $36,142 against net price of about $1,664 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Duke University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 51% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $15,053 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Durham Technical Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $1,664. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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