Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina for 2024

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools North Carolina

Home of the Wright brothers’ first flight and the Biltmore Estate and Gardens, North Carolina is full of history and possibility. With its lovely mountain ranges and beautiful coasts, you can experience a variety of natural wonders in this state. North Carolina also boasts some of the most prestigious universities in the country. For nursing students especially, this state offers plenty of opportunities for professional development.

Since there are so many nursing programs to choose from, narrowing down your options is important. And with online courses, accelerated learning, and bridge programs, there are numerous ways to get your degree. North Carolina also offers enticing nursing salaries for graduates in the state.

With the right tools, you’ll soon be on the best path for you. To help determine which nursing school in North Carolina may be the best fit, take a look at our list below.

North Carolina’s top nursing programs:

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2. Western Carolina University
3. East Carolina University
4. University of North Carolina Wilmington
5. University of North Carolina Charlotte
6. Duke University
7. University of North Carolina Pembroke
8. Appalachian State University
9. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
10. Queens University of Charlotte  

---

---

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Score 86

NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.09%

In-state tuition: $7,019.00

Out-of-State tuition: $35,580.00

As the nation’s first public university, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) has been awarding degrees since 1795. Their undergraduate nursing program ranks 4th in the nation, and their master’s nursing program ranks 8th. 

UNC offers online graduate programs, as well as scholarships and financial aid for those eligible. This institution’s graduation rate is 90%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN 
• Accelerated BSN 
• BSN Military Pathway 
• MSN 
• DNP 
• PhD 
• Graduate Certificate

2. Western Carolina University – Score 80

NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%

In-state tuition: $7,070.00

Out-of-State tuition: $11,069.80

With its location between the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Western Carolina University (WCU) is a top adventure college with nationally ranked programs. WCU’s School of Nursing was established in 1969 and has grown significantly over the years with its state-of-the-art classrooms, lab space, and hands-on opportunities both on and off-campus. 

This college offers online courses and degrees in nursing, along with residencies and fellowship programs. Their graduation rate is 64%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN 
• RN to BSN
• ABSN
• MSN
• Post -MSN
• DNP

3. East Carolina University – Score 78

NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.23%

In-state tuition: $7,325.00

Out-of-State tuition: $23,602.00

Founded in 1907, Eastern Carolina University (ECU) is now the 4th largest college in North Carolina. Their nursing school began in 1959, and it is currently their top undergraduate major, and second most popular major among graduates. ECU is the top producer of new nurses among North Carolina’s four-year educational institutions, and their medical students graduate with an average of 33% less debt than their peers nationwide. Their overall graduation rate is 67%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN 
• RN to BSN
• ABSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD

4. University of North Carolina Wilmington – Score 66

NCLEX Pass Rate: 90.32%

In-state tuition: $4,443.00

Out-of-State tuition: $19,063.00

In 1947, local leaders and citizens founded Wilmington College, and in 1969, Wilmington College joined the UNC System, becoming the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). It is known as one of the most beautiful campuses in the South. 

Their School of Nursing has grown in size from 238 students since its inception in 1984 with over 18,000 currently, and they provide nursing student organizations, a Simulation Learning Center, and even a PreClinical Research Group. The graduation rate is 73%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• RN to BSN 
• MSN
• DNP

5. University of North Carolina Charlotte – Score 64

NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.75%

In-state tuition: $3,812.00

Out-of-State tuition: $17,936.00

First known as Charlotte College, the University of North Carolina Charlotte (UNCC) was initially developed in the 1940s after World War II. This institution is now the region’s preeminent research university. 

UNCC’s School of Nursing started in 1965, and over the years it has become nationally ranked for its nursing programs and courses. They offer student organizations for nursing students, scholarship opportunities, and community service programs and events. The overall graduation rate is 59%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• RN to BSN 
• MSN
• DNP

6. Duke University – Score 62

NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.82%

Annual tuition: $60,435.00

Duke University was founded in 1924, and in 1931, the School of Nursing at Duke was established. This is one of the nation’s more prestigious universities, with a home campus that is situated on nearly 9,000 acres. 

Duke’s nursing programs integrate patient care with the clinical, training, and research programs of the Duke University Health System. They have simulation laboratories, research training grants, and student organizations. Their graduation rate is 96%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• MSN
• DNP
• PhD

7. University of North Carolina at Pembroke – Score 56

NCLEX Pass Rate: 81.25%

In-state tuition: $1,000.00

Out-of-State tuition: $5,000.00

The University of North Carolina (UNC) Pembroke was established in 1887 and is the nation’s only 4-year institution founded by Native Americans for Native Americans. 

UNC Pembroke’s McKenzie-Elliott School of Nursing is ranked as one of the Most Affordable Nursing Degrees of 2022, by University HQ. Their nursing school began in 1992 and now has a variety of labs, learning centers, and student success programs. The overall graduation rate is 45%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• MSN
• RN to MSN
• RIBN Program

8. Appalachian State University – Score 58

NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.18%

In-state tuition: $7,950.00

Out-of-State tuition: $23,954.00

As another university in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian State University is the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeastern United States, sitting on nearly 1,200 acres. 

Their nursing school has been ranked as one of the Best Colleges in 2021 and 2022 by U.S. News & World Report for its Nursing (BSN) Programs. Appalachian State offers student community service programs, organizations, and even accelerated degrees. The overall graduation rate is 74%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN 
• RN to BSN
• MSN

9. University of North Carolina at Greensboro – Score 52

NCLEX Pass Rate: 81.15%

In-state tuition: $7,406.00

Out-of-State tuition: $22,565.00

In 1892, this university was established and first known as the State Normal and Industrial School. Throughout the years it has changed names and grown in size, before eventually becoming the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Greensboro in 1963. Today, this college is the largest state university in the Piedmont Triad, which includes 30 residence halls and 27 academic buildings on 250 acres. 

UNC Greensboro’s nursing school has research facilities, teaching/learning operations, online learning, skills and simulation labs, and partnerships with more than 700 clinical agencies in the community. The graduation rate is 57%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• RN to BSN
• PhD
• DNP
• MSN
• Post Certificate

10. Queens University of Charlotte – Score 38

NCLEX Pass Rate: 77.94%

Annual tuition: $39,030.00

The Queens University of Charlotte began as the Charlotte Female Institute in 1857. In the years since, it has grown into a co-ed college that is nationally ranked 4th for its undergraduate nursing programs. The Presbyterian School of Nursing offers online courses, accelerated programs, and off-campus residencies. Queens University of Charlotte also has strong connections to two of North Carolina’s premier healthcare systems. The overall graduation rate is 53%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN
• ABSN
• RN to BSN
• BSN to MSN
• RN to MSN
• MSN

---

---

How to choose the right nursing program

When making the decision of which nursing degree is right for you, there are many factors to look over. Consider the university’s location, tuition costs, pass rates for NCLEX, programs offered, and graduation rates when deciding.

Location

For a school in North Carolina, you want to be sure that the location is ideal for your needs. What will the commute time look like each day? How far is the university from labs and clinicals? Do they offer online courses? These are all questions you should be asking yourself, especially as a nursing student who will be balancing a busy schedule. 

Plus, North Carolina has some beautiful campuses, from mountainous views to beachside towns, so take that into consideration as well.

Tuition

If you’re already a resident of North Carolina, you could be saving money by choosing an in-state college. Nursing students in particular can be awarded certain scholarships, sometimes offered through the state itself. Check each school for their affordability, and also look at FAFSA’s website for loan options. Upon graduation, you might also be eligible for loan forgiveness programs as a healthcare worker, which is another great way to reduce your student debt.

NCLEX pass rate

Passing the NCLEX exam is a crucial component to receiving your nursing license. Looking at a school’s pass rate for NCLEX is helpful in many ways, as it lends to their credibility and student resources. Universities that prioritize high pass rates typically offer the right courses and programs, as well as additional preparation. Before applying to a school, be sure they place importance on the success of their students.

Programs offered

Knowing which career path you want to take is one part of the journey. Making sure that your school choices offer the classes you need for your desired degree is key. If you’re receiving an advanced degree or transferring from another institution, you want to make certain your credits will carry over as well. Do your research for each top nursing school in North Carolina so that you’re prepared for all the classes and programs you need for your degree.

Graduation rate 

Graduation rates are another helpful determining factor for choosing a school. Typically, these numbers indicate the percentage of graduates who earn their degree between 4-6 years of study. High rates of graduation are a good way to measure a school’s track record and how they provide the necessary tools for students to succeed. These rates can also be indicative of a higher chance of employment upon graduation.

Next steps

When choosing the right school, you’ll want to consider the financial aspects, culture, and opportunities. These top schools in North Carolina can be a good place to start your research. And then, upon graduation, using Incredible Health’s resources can assist on your journey as you kickstart your career, especially for each state’s individual needs. 

If you’re wondering where you should go after graduation in order to continue your education credits, check out North Carolina’s free CEU courses. These courses will provide you with the right certifications you need.

You also need to have  the correct license requirements for North Carolina. When you’re coming from out-of-state, this is essential to know and be up-to-date on.

Prospective students can also turn to other nursing professionals for advice, help, and other answers on nursing in North Carolina. Once you start looking for a job, let Incredible Health help you. We can connect you with employers just waiting to hire you!

Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• University webpages
• (State) Board of Nursing
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings