Our contributing writers leverage diverse educational and professional backgrounds to create content for NurseJournal. This piece was developed in collaboration with one or more of our writers....
Explore what it takes to become a nurse in North Carolina by reviewing the top nursing schools, degree and licensing requirements, salary projections, and anticipated job growth in the state.
Credit: joe daniel price / Moment / Getty Images
NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Credit: joe daniel price / Moment / Getty Images
There are 48 associate in nursing and 24 bachelor's in nursing degree programs in North Carolina with full-state approval. The state also boasts one of the country's highest average National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates.
As a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state, nurses can earn a multistate license in North Carolina.
These features make attending nursing fschool in North Carolina beneficial to working professionals. Keep reading to find the best nursing program in North Carolina for you, as well as information on earning your registered nurse (RN) license and typical salary expectations.
Featured Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Our Methodology: We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nursing schools in North Carolina, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
These rankings include
NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
from our partners. We use publicly available provisional datasets from Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to inform the data for these schools. All data is current as of the date this article was published. Program-specific information may vary.
#1 The Top Nursing Schools in North Carolina of 2023
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
4 years
Online + Campus
The top-ranked School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill administers several nursing education programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Its BSN features two on-campus options: a traditional four-year bachelor's program and an accelerated second-degree program for students with bachelor's degrees in non-nursing fields.
Students may pursue several graduate degrees in convenient online or hybrid formats, including an MSN and doctoral bridge programs for BSN and MSN degree-holders.
Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Type: Public
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Tuition: $12,314 per year for North Carolina residents; $59,921 per year for out of state students
Admission Requirements: High school diploma; official transcripts; science prerequisites; minimum 2.8 GPA; essay
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes
School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021/2022): 90.4% first-time pass rate
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $59,534 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$7,019
Out-of-state
$34,198
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$10,552
Out-of-state
$28,278
Retention Rate
95%
Admission Rate
25%
Students Enrolled
30,092
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
91%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 The Top Nursing Schools in North Carolina of 2023
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
4 years
Online + Campus
The Wake Forest University School of Medicine has established two doctoral programs in nursing. The online DNP — a part-time, two-year program for working professionals — prepares MSN-trained registered nurses to pursue leadership, business, and education roles.
The nurse anesthesia program is one of very few CRNA programs in a school of medicine. This program includes one year of online coursework and two years of on-site training.
Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice, Nurse Anesthesia Program
Campus: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Type: Private
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges; Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs
Tuition: $25,146 per year
Admission Requirements: (DNP) MSN degree, official transcripts; minimum 3.0 GPA; valid RN license; curriculum vitae; two letters of recommendation
Minimum Time Commitment: Two years
On-Campus Requirements: No
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$56,722
Out-of-state
$56,722
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$38,650
Out-of-state
$38,650
Retention Rate
95%
Admission Rate
32%
Students Enrolled
8,789
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
86%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 The Top Nursing Schools in North Carolina of 2023
Duke University
Durham, NC
4 years
Online + Campus
Duke University's School of Nursing, established in 1924, has grown to become a leader in nursing education. Its MSN program is an online degree that offers several nurse practitioner specialties and options for nursing informatics, nursing education, and healthcare leadership.
Students must attend on-campus intensives at least once each semester. Duke's School of Nursing also administers a DNP, Ph.D. in nursing, and an accelerated BSN for students who have previously graduated with non-nursing degrees.
Program: Master of Science in Nursing
Campus: Durham, North Carolina
Type: Private
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Tuition: $2,075 per credit
Admission Requirements: (MSN) BSN; official transcripts; minimum 3.0 GPA; valid RN license; three letters of recommendation; curriculum vitae; personal statement
Minimum Time Commitment: Two years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes
School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021/2022): 87.8% first-time pass rate
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $97,071 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$55,880
Out-of-state
$55,880
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$57,900
Out-of-state
$57,900
Retention Rate
97%
Admission Rate
8%
Students Enrolled
16,172
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
42%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 The Top Nursing Schools in North Carolina of 2023
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC
4 years
Online + Campus
Appalachian State University administers a generalist, four-year pre-licensure program and an online RN-to-BSN program. The curriculum trains students for nursing practice in pediatrics, women's health, adult health, community health, and mental health. Appalachian's Department of Nursing also offers an MSN that prepares registered nurses for leadership roles as educators.
A state-of-the-art nursing skills lab provides nursing students with simulation learning experiences that reflect real-life clinical and patient care conditions.
Program: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus: Boone, North Carolina
Type: Public
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Tuition: $2,121 per semester for North Carolina residents; $10,619 per semester for out-of-state students
Admission Requirements: High school diploma or associate degree in nursing; current RN license; minimum 2.5 GPA
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years
On-Campus Requirements: Yes
School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021/2022): 97.2% first-time pass rate
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $56,415 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$4,242
Out-of-state
$19,049
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$4,839
Out-of-state
$18,271
Retention Rate
86%
Admission Rate
80%
Students Enrolled
20,023
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
95%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 The Top Nursing Schools in North Carolina of 2023
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
4 years
Online + Campus
Over the past 100 years, Western Carolina University (WCU) has grown from a small rural college to a major regional university enrolling over 12,000 students.
WCU's School of Nursing offers a fully online DNP designed for advanced practice nurses, community health nurses, and nursing administrators. Other options for graduate nursing education include DNP family nurse practitioner and nurse anesthesia programs, a nurse educator MSN, and a nursing leadership MSN. At the undergraduate level, students can pursue a traditional BSN, an RN-to-BSN, and an accelerated BSN.
Program: Doctor of Nursing Practice
Campus: Cullowhee, North Carolina
Type: Public
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Tuition: $6,289 per semester for North Carolina residents; $11,648 per semester for out-of-state residents
Admission Requirements: MSN; minimum 3.0 GPA; valid RN license; evidence of APRN national certification and state licensure; essay; three letters of recommendation; curriculum vita; documentation of 500 clinical hours in an approved national certification
Minimum Time Commitment: Four semesters
On-Campus Requirements: No
School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2021/2022): 97.9% first-time pass rate
Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $103,913 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$1,000
Out-of-state
$5,000
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$4,435
Out-of-state
$14,842
Retention Rate
81%
Admission Rate
48%
Students Enrolled
12,243
Institution Type
Public
Percent Online Enrollment
81%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
How to Choose a Nursing Program in North Carolina
When choosing from the many nursing schools in North Carolina, consider costs (tuition and financial aid), NCLEX-RN pass rates (which can indicate program quality), and the acceptance rate. Application requirements, the logistics of attending, and clinical placement in your home community should also be considered.
Nursing program accreditation ensures that your program is a legitimate investment of your time and money. This guide only lists accredited programs.
Why Become a Nurse in North Carolina
North Carolina is known for its scenic beauty and subtropical climate. In addition to being a technology hub, the state offers a more leisurely lifestyle and lower cost of living than Silicon Valley or the Boston area.
More than 100,000 RNs and NPs work in North Carolina. Because North Carolina is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, graduating from nursing school in North Carolina allows you to apply for a multistate license that includes 37 participating states.
Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in North Carolina
While salaries for RNs and NPs are below national averages, the cost of living in North Carolina is also lower, with an index of 96.4. RNs earn an average annual $68,950 in North Carolina, compared to $80,010 nationally. The average NP salary is $108,370 versus $114,510 nationally.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 28.2% growth of NP jobs between 2018 and 2028, with a 12.1% growth for RN jobs.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services expects a surplus of 16,500 nurses between 2014 and 2030, but these figures do not account for the number of nurses leaving healthcare during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Charlotte is home to Atrium Health, one of the largest health systems in the Southeastern U.S, with more than 40 hospitals throughout the region. The Research Triangle in the Piedmont area, consisting of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, is a growing tech hub and home to a number of prestigious hospitals.
Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in North Carolina
If you attended nursing school in North Carolina, apply for licensure by examination.
RN Requirements
To become an RN in North Carolina, you must earn an ADN or a BSN, pass the NCLEX, and complete a criminal background check. You must send an official transcript to the state board of nursing, pay the $75 application fee and the $200 examination fee, and submit your fingerprints for a background check.
You must renew your license every two years by meeting continuing competence requirements, such as 30 hours of continuing education for nurses or 15 hours of continuing education and completion of a research project as a principal investigator.
The state board of nursing requires that NPs work under the supervision of a physician. NPs must renew their approval to practice each year, as well as maintaining board certification.
The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in North Carolina
These rankings include
NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
from our partners. We use publicly available provisional datasets from Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to inform the data for these schools. All data is current as of the date this article was published. Program-specific information may vary.
#1 The Top Nursing Schools in North Carolina of 2023
Duke University
Durham, NC
4 years
Online + Campus
Duke University's master of science in nursing program enrolls prospective students who have completed a bachelor's degree in nursing. Learners pursue this master’s for a more in-depth understanding of nursing and for the advantages they receive after graduation, like more job opportunities and higher pay. Degree-holders leave the program equipped for management, development, and research careers.
Located in Durham, North Carolina, the public school is a comprehensive college. Graduate degree-seekers have 92 different master's programs to choose from, including the top-ranked master of science in nursing. Faculty focus on student success with strong academics and mentorship opportunities.
About 8% of applicants receive an acceptance letter, and this may vary across graduate programs. The advanced concepts that enrollees learn can often be supplemented with elective credits. The school provides resources like tutoring and financial aid opportunities to help learners complete the program.
Average Undergrad Tuition
In-state
$55,880
Out-of-state
$55,880
Average Graduate Tuition
In-state
$57,900
Out-of-state
$57,900
Retention Rate
97%
Admission Rate
8%
Students Enrolled
16,172
Institution Type
Private
Percent Online Enrollment
42%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in North Carolina
How long does it take to become an RN in North Carolina?
It typically takes 2-4 years to complete an RN program in North Carolina, depending on the degree. For full-time students, earning an ADN typically takes two years, while a BSN takes four. Part-time study extends this timeline.
How much money do nurses make in North Carolina?
According to the BLS, RNs earn an annual median salary of $68,950, while NPs earn $108,370. However, the salary for both RNs and NPs in North Carolina can vary depending on location, education, and previous experience.
How much does nursing school cost in North Carolina?
The cost of nursing school in North Carolina varies depending on the program and institution. ADN programs can cost $6,000-$40,000, while BSN programs range from $40,000-$200,000. More advanced degrees vary in tuition cost based on the previous degree earned:
BSN-to-MSN: $20,000-$180,000
BSN-to-DNP: $25,000-$250,000
MSN-to-DNP: $17,000-$170,000
Is North Carolina a good state for nurses?
According to the personal finance group WalletHub, North Carolina is the 34th best state for nurses, while ranking 24th for opportunity and competition.
Even though nursing salaries in the state are lower than the national average, North Carolina also has a lower cost of living. Nurses can also benefit from North Carolina's involvement in the NLC, providing nurses who earned their degree in another state with an easier licensing process.
Does North Carolina have a nursing shortage?
Workforce strategy and analytics firm Mercer recently reported that North Carolina will be among the five worst states for nursing shortages from 2021-2026. They also estimate that national demand for nurses could increase by 5%, leaving North Carolina with a shortage of 13,000 nurses.
Find Nursing Programs in Other States
State
NurseJournal.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?
Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.
Popular Resources
Resources and articles written by professionals and other nurses like you.
