Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in North Carolina

North Carolina has 28 colleges offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 12,949 recent graduates. Graduates in North Carolina earn $60,272 on average within two years — 6% below the national average of $63,931. Lower cost of living or industry mix may explain the gap.

School choice matters significantly: Chamberlain University-North Carolina graduates earn $71,315 while Wingate University graduates earn $56,867 — a $14,448 gap. Research each program's curriculum, employer connections, and career services before deciding.

Schools in NC

$60,272

NC Avg. Earnings

$63,931

National Avg.

1043

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in North Carolina

Public Schools (12)

$59,458

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (13)

$59,241

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in North Carolina produce comparable or higher early earnings for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in North Carolina, Ranked by Earnings

Chamberlain University-North Carolina

Charlotte, NC · For-Profit

$71,315

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $70,883

Graduates: 7,000

Acceptance: 66.7%

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, NC · Private

$66,821

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $68,741

Graduates: 86

Acceptance: 77.8%

Galen Health Institutes-Asheville

Asheville, NC ·

$63,749

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $67,568

Graduates: 331

Acceptance: N/A

South University-High Point

High Point, NC ·

$66,883

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,499

Graduates: 1,451

Acceptance: N/A

North Carolina Central University

Durham, NC · Public

$63,705

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,307

Graduates: 130

Acceptance: 90.5%

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, NC · Public

$61,814

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,808

Graduates: 199

Acceptance: 79.9%

Duke University

Durham, NC · Private

$63,970

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,409

Graduates: 216

Acceptance: 6.8%

Lees-McRae College

Banner Elk, NC · Private

$63,935

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,914

Graduates: 127

Acceptance: 80.8%

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, NC · Public

$59,253

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,331

Graduates: 516

Acceptance: 74.0%

#10

Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, NC · Public

$62,067

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,779

Graduates: 450

Acceptance: 68.5%

#11

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Public

$58,307

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,850

Graduates: 323

Acceptance: 80.2%

#12

Methodist University

Fayetteville, NC · Private

$56,234

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,217

Graduates: 36

Acceptance: 75.2%

#13

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC · Public

$60,064

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $61,076

Graduates: 385

Acceptance: 90.1%

#14

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, NC · Public

$59,042

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $63,288

Graduates: 47

Acceptance: 46.2%

#15

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC · Public

$58,823

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,604

Graduates: 288

Acceptance: 89.8%

#16

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC · Private

$58,152

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,160

Graduates: 150

Acceptance: 67.7%

#17

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC · Public

$57,318

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,362

Graduates: 257

Acceptance: 86.7%

#18

Campbell University

Buies Creek, NC · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,377

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 94.3%

#19

Barton College

Wilson, NC · Private

$59,781

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,475

Graduates: 40

Acceptance: 95.9%

#20

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public

$56,415

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,623

Graduates: 241

Acceptance: 88.6%

#21

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Hickory, NC · Private

$48,265

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $56,396

Graduates: 82

Acceptance: 80.7%

#22

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, NC · Public

$57,149

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $59,515

Graduates: 69

Acceptance: 92.4%

#23

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

$59,534

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,514

Graduates: 257

Acceptance: 18.7%

#24

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

Concord, NC · Private

$63,997

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $65,605

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 49.2%

#25

Gardner-Webb University

Boiling Springs, NC · Private

$59,640

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $60,377

Graduates: 121

Acceptance: 87.0%

#26

Pfeiffer University

Misenheimer, NC · Private

$53,984

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $57,389

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 95.3%

#27

Mars Hill University

Mars Hill, NC · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,645

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 77.9%

#28

Wingate University

Wingate, NC · Private

$56,867

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $58,475

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 85.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in North Carolina?

Chamberlain University-North Carolina ranks #1 for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in North Carolina with median graduate earnings of $71,315 within two years of graduation. There are 28 schools offering Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state.

How much do Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates earn in North Carolina?

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates in North Carolina earn an average of $60,272 within two years of graduation. This is 6% below the national average of $63,931 for this major.

What is the hardest Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing school to get into in North Carolina?

Duke University is the most selective Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing program in North Carolina with an acceptance rate of 6.8%. The average acceptance rate across Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs in the state is 74.8%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, private Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing programs produce average earnings of $59,241 vs $59,458 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 12 public and 13 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in North Carolina

Computer Engineering $79,319 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $65,539 Chemical Engineering $65,411 Computer Science $60,095 Construction Engineering Technologies $58,582 Civil Engineering $56,103 Computer Programming $55,943 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $50,726

All colleges in North Carolina →

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.