The Top Nursing Schools in North Carolina
Credit: joe daniel price / Moment / Getty ImagesNurses are in high demand in North Carolina. The state offers many nursing degree programs and 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 benefits make attending nursing school in North Carolina an attractive option. Learn about the best nursing program in North Carolina, how to earn your registered nurse (RN) license, and typical salary expectations.
The Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina
The best nursing program in North Carolina for you should match your background and career goals. Students can complete an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program faster. However, a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree is more valuable if you plan to become a nurse practitioner (NP) or a nurse manager later in your career.
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.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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
- In-State$7,019
- Out-of-state$34,198
- In-State$10,552
- Out-of-state$28,278
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate25%
- Students Enrolled30,092
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment91%
- AccreditationYes
Wake Forest University
- Winston-Salem, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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
- In-State$56,722
- Out-of-state$56,722
- In-State$38,650
- Out-of-state$38,650
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate32%
- Students Enrolled8,789
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment86%
- AccreditationYes
Duke University
- Durham, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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
- In-State$55,880
- Out-of-state$55,880
- In-State$57,900
- Out-of-state$57,900
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate8%
- Students Enrolled16,172
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment42%
- AccreditationYes
Appalachian State University
- Boone, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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
- In-State$4,242
- Out-of-state$19,049
- In-State$4,839
- Out-of-state$18,271
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled20,023
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment95%
- AccreditationYes
Western Carolina University
- Cullowhee, NC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
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
- In-State$1,000
- Out-of-state$5,000
- In-State$4,435
- Out-of-state$14,842
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate48%
- Students Enrolled12,243
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment81%
- AccreditationYes
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 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 salary of $82,530 in North Carolina, compared to $94,480 nationally.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 16% job growth for RNs in North Carolina from 2022-2023, which is much faster than the 6% job growth for RNs nationwide.
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.
| Top Paying Metropolitan Areas | Average Salary for RNs |
|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $75,530 |
| Winston-Salem | $70,640 |
| Charlotte — Concord — Gastonia | $70,420 |
| Raleigh | $70,110 |
| Greenville | $68,390 |
Steps to Becoming a Nurse in North Carolina
Every state has its own RN requirements, but all state boards of nursing require a nursing degree, passing the appropriate national examination, and completing a background check.
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.
APRN Requirements
To become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you must earn a graduate degree, either a master of science in nursing (MSN) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP), pass the relevant board certification examination, and have a valid North Carolina or other NLC state RN license.
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
Other Nursing Programs Resources
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?
RNs in North Carolina earn an annual average salary of $82,530. However, RN salaries 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.
