Introduction: Welcome to Charlotte, North Carolina – A Hub of Higher Education
When applying to colleges, it can be easy to overlook cities that are in slightly more remote states. However, there are some incredible colleges in Charlotte NC along with many other perks. Charlotte, North Carolina, is not called “The Queen City” for nothing. It has a very diverse economic landscape and plenty of recreation and entertainment opportunities.
Furthermore, Charlette, NC, has among the country’s best educational systems. 27.8% of its population hold bachelor’s degrees, while 10.7% have a master’s degree. These rates are by far among the highest per capita in the country.
Higher Education Landscape: Exploring Colleges and Universities in Charlotte
There are 12 known universities and colleges in Charlotte, NC. However, some of them are located in the nearby suburbs. Each has its own strength and unique offerings for a diverse array of academic interests and career aspirations.
Featured Programs
Let’s explore the best Charlotte colleges and universities and its surrounding areas.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Acceptance rate: 79.6%
Graduation rate: 63.9%
Average in-state tuition: $7,214
Average out-of-state tuition: $21,338
Total student enrollment: 30,298
The University of North Carolina is a research-intensive public university with seven professional colleges:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Arts and Architecture
- Education
- Health and Human Services
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Business
Almost 90,000 people consider UNC-Charlotte to be their alma mater. According to statistics, UNC Charlotte has produced the most start-up small businesses in the United States.
Wingate University
Charlotte, NC
Acceptance rate: 86.2%
Graduation rate: 54%
Average in-state tuition: $40,706
Total student enrollment: 3,193
Wingate University is a private university in Wingate, North Carolina, with a satellite campus in Charlotte. This institution is among the country’s best schools for social mobility—and #1 in the state. Their most popular academic programs are exercise science, biology, psychology, criminal justice, and sports management.
Wingate is also known as one of the most accessible private colleges in Charlotte. It offers a flat-rate tuition policy: Students pay the same amount of tuition regardless of residency status.
Davidson College
Davidson, NC
Acceptance rate: 16.9%
Graduation rate: 91.3%
Average in-state tuition: $60,050
Total student enrollment: 1,950
Davidson College is a very selective college known for its small class sizes and individualized learning methods. It is the first liberal arts college in the country to promise debt-free graduation to its students. The Davidson Trust is a unique financial aid package exclusive to Davidson students.
Johnson C. Smith University
Charlotte, NC
Acceptance rate: 25.3%
Graduation rate: 47.7%
Average tuition: $21,714
Total student enrollment: 1,052
Johnson C. Smith University is one of the top historically black universities in Charlotte. JCSU is vastly known for its diverse approach to liberal arts education. It combines various topics, including business, the sciences, and technology, to better prepare its students for navigating the tech-driven job market.
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Acceptance rate: 71.3%
Graduation rate: 62%
Average tuition: $42,790
Total student enrollment: 1,317
Queens University of Charlotte is located a few minutes from uptown Charlotte. This is one of the most sought-after institutions in NC for students who want to major in business and marketing, communications and journalism, and healthcare. Its location within a thriving business center offers students diverse growth opportunities.
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont, NC
Acceptance rate: 97.2%
Graduation rate: 44.6%
Average tuition: $19,500
Total student enrollment: 1,654
Belmont Abbey is a private Roman Catholic institution emphasizing an integrated religious and liberal arts curriculum. Alongside its academic reputation, it’s also one of the friendliest colleges in Charlotte. The college also offers programs in business, education, and theology.
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
Concord, NC
Acceptance rate: 44.9%
Graduation rate: 75%
Average tuition: $15,560
Total student enrollment: 557
The Cabarrus College of Health Sciences has a reputation for housing the most understanding professors and having a thorough healthcare teaching process in the state. Students can expect individualized attention and mentorship opportunities with the smallest student enrollment.
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Charlotte, NC
Acceptance rate: 61%
Graduation rate: 48%
Average tuition: $16,179
Total student enrollment: 473
Carolinas College of Health Sciences, a public, non-profit institution, is among the top schools specializing in health sciences. It mostly admits students on its physical campus. Yet, they also offer the most robust online education within the health science field.
CCHS is known for its high-quality programs in diagnostic and imaging sciences, clinical laboratory sciences, and nursing, among others.
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Acceptance rate: 73.3%
Graduation rate: 57.8%
Average in-state tuition: $39,992
Total student enrollment: 1,100
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte is a private institution known for its career-oriented and distance learning programs. Although originally built as a business school, JWU’s programs have expanded to include various disciplines. JWU is now vastly known for its on-campus culinary, baking, management, and retail labs.
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary
Charlotte, NC
Acceptance rate: 100%
Graduation rate: 27%
Average tuition/semester: $5,485
Total student enrollment: 136
Christian College and Theological Seminary is a lesser-known institution in the state. It has the lowest graduation rate and student enrollment among colleges in Charlotte.
Nevertheless, it can be a safety net for students who weren’t accepted into major universities. It is Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools-accredited. It is a CHEA-recognized accrediting agency.
Why Choose Charlotte?: Discovering the Benefits of Studying in the Queen City
Several Charlotte NC universities have undeniably strong academic programs. However, aside from its educational offerings, there are also various reasons to study in Charlotte. Let’s go through some of the city’s strongest features.
Low Cost of Living
We will mention this first because many students’ concerns about relocating to a new city revolve around expenses. Charlotte, NC’s cost of living is 2% lower than the national average.
The city’s cost of living allows you to stretch your budgets further, giving you more financial flexibility. Whether renting an apartment near campus or exploring the city’s attractions, students can enjoy a great quality of life without the burden of high costs.
Job Market and Economic Trend
Charlotte’s economy is diversified. The city’s financial sector, bolstered by banks like Bank of America and Truist Financial, is complemented by thriving technology, healthcare, and education sectors.
Furthermore, the city also has a low unemployment rate. According to BLS, Charlotte’s unemployment rate is 3.7, which is below the national average of 3.9. This may be primarily due to the city’s entrepreneurship, small businesses, and career development opportunities across various industries.
Fun and Entertainment
You can never have a boring time in Charlotte, NC.
Charlotte offers a diverse social and cultural experience, with the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Mint Museum, and Bechtler Museum of Modern Art providing live performances. The city is also known for its sports fandom, with the Carolina Panthers and NBA’s Charlotte Hornets rallying the community.
If you like going on a food trip to relieve stress, you can enjoy the city’s diverse food scene. It combines southern comfort cooking, contemporary cuisine, global gastronomy, and local farm-to-table. You can also visit ethnically rich neighborhoods like Plaza Midwood and Central Avenue.
Finding the Right College: Exploring Programs and Campus Life in Charlotte
Pursuing college can often feel scary. After years of hard work to qualify for college, you’re now in the process of choosing the perfect college, which is overwhelming and daunting to many students.
Choosing the wrong college can bury you in debt and lead to a less-than-ideal resume.
Entering a new phase of life can be unsettling. However, there are many resources available to make the process of planning for college much simpler!
These easy methods will help you find the best Charlotte institution that offers you everything you want.
#1. Know What You Want
It’s important to consider your needs and expectations before deciding.
Do you want a vibrant campus life? Choose an institution with a large and diverse student body, such as NC State.
Or would you prefer a more competitive institution? Maybe you’ll fit in more at Davidson College.
Are your grades low— not meeting the minimum criteria for major colleges and universities? Try applying to Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary.
Consider the costs.
It’s important to calculate the total cost of the school/program and estimate your potential financial aid. In general, public schools have lower tuition fees. Nevertheless, do not cross out private institutions, especially if you’re an out-of-state student.
Private institutions sometimes offer a more affordable college education with their flat-rate policies and vast external funding resources.
Get insights on the “campus feel.”
Charlotte colleges and universities offer diverse campus atmospheres, from bustling urban campuses to more serene suburban settings. Word of mouth of campus experiences matters. Yet, nothing beats feeling the campus environment firsthand.
Do campus tours, talk to current students about their daily experiences, and engage with faculty members. Evaluate the school’s academic support, career services, safety, and athletics and extracurricular activities. All these will help you get a sense of whether a particular college is the right fit for you.
Conclusion: Empowering Your Educational Journey in Charlotte
Charlotte area colleges boast a diverse educational landscape. It offers a path for every learner to pursue their passions and achieve their goals. Aside from its academic opportunities, students can also enjoy the city’s low cost of living and exciting cultural attractions.