2026 Best Healthcare Schools in North Carolina
Looking for the best Healthcare degree programs in North Carolina? Our ranking highlights 163 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Healthcare Degree Search analyzed 129 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Healthcare Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Wake Forest University to be the best Healthcare school in North Carolina. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Typical Healthcare student debt is $21,577. See the full Wake Forest University profile
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The strong Healthcare programs at Duke University earned it the #2 place in North Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Healthcare program here. See the full Duke University profile
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Out of the 129 schools in North Carolina in this year's ranking, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #3 spot. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Healthcare student debt is $15,117. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
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Wingate University came in at #4 on this year's Healthcare ranking in North Carolina. Wingate University is a private not-for-profit school based in Wingate, NC. Wingate University graduates 46% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,576. Wingate University Healthcare students take on a median of $25,556 in debt. Get the full Wingate University report
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A rank of #5 makes Mount Olive College one of the top choices in North Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mount Olive, NC. About 48% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,366. Graduates carry a median of $30,798 in student loans. Read more about Mount Olive College
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University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #6 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Greensboro, NC, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. The median Healthcare program debt is $24,977. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
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Appalachian State University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete their Healthcare program here. Get the full Appalachian State University report
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University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #8 in this year's ranking. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public school based in Wilmington, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. The median Healthcare program debt is $23,013. More on University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
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University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #9 spot in North Carolina this year. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. See the full University Of North Carolina At Charlotte profile
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Lenoir Rhyne University did well this year, earning the #10 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hickory, NC. About 48% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $31,900. Graduates carry a median of $26,900 in student loans. Get the full Lenoir Rhyne University report
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East Carolina University did well this year, earning the #11 position. East Carolina University is a public school based in Greenville, NC. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical Healthcare student debt is $24,747. More on East Carolina University
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Campbell University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Buies Creek, NC, Campbell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $41,600. The median Healthcare program debt is $23,641. Read more about Campbell University
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North Carolina A And T State University placed #13 among Healthcare schools in North Carolina. Based in Greensboro, NC, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. The median Healthcare program debt is $29,078. Read more about North Carolina A And T State University
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Central Piedmont Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Set in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Read more about Central Piedmont Community College
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Winston Salem State University landed the #15 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Winston-Salem, NC, Winston Salem State University is a public institution. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Typical Healthcare student debt is $27,653. Read more about Winston Salem State University
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Western Carolina University landed the #16 spot in North Carolina this year. This public school is set in Cullowhee, NC. Western Carolina University posts a six-year graduation rate of 60%. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. The median Healthcare program debt is $24,174. See the full Western Carolina University profile
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Gaston College landed the #17 spot in North Carolina this year. Gaston College is a public school based in Dallas, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Gaston College Healthcare students take on a median of $10,915 in debt. Get the full Gaston College report
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Queens University Of Charlotte placed #18 among Healthcare schools in North Carolina. Based in Charlotte, NC, Queens University Of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $45,846. Typical Healthcare student debt is $27,245. More on Queens University Of Charlotte
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Craven Community College landed the #19 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in New Bern, NC, Craven Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,924 to complete their Healthcare program here. More on Craven Community College
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Montgomery Community College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in Troy, NC, Montgomery Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,538, while out-of-state students pay about $8,682. More on Montgomery Community College
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Pfeiffer University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Set in Misenheimer, NC, Pfeiffer University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 35% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,070. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete their Healthcare program here. See the full Pfeiffer University profile
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Pitt Community College did well this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in Winterville, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,871, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. The median Healthcare program debt is $19,741. See the full Pitt Community College profile
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Brunswick Community College did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Bolivia, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,553, while out-of-state students pay about $8,697. The median Healthcare program debt is $5,500. Read the full report on Brunswick Community College
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Gardner Webb University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit institution. Gardner Webb University graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,750. The median Healthcare program debt is $25,033. Get the full Gardner Webb University report
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Surry Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Based in Dobson, NC, Surry Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. The median Healthcare program debt is $9,537. Read the full report on Surry Community College
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Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Set in Salisbury, NC, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. The median Healthcare program debt is $10,867. More on Rowan Cabarrus Community College
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Alamance Community College placed #27 among Healthcare schools in North Carolina. Based in Graham, NC, Alamance Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. The median Healthcare program debt is $6,625. Get the full Alamance Community College report
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Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #28 among Healthcare schools in North Carolina. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a public school based in Sylva, NC. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. See the full Southwestern Community College Sylva profile
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Wake Technical Community College placed #29 among Healthcare schools in North Carolina. Based in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. The median Healthcare program debt is $17,900. More on Wake Technical Community College
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Wayne Community College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Based in Goldsboro, NC, Wayne Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their Healthcare program here. See the full Wayne Community College profile
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South Piedmont Community College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Based in Polkton, NC, South Piedmont Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. The median Healthcare program debt is $10,098. See the full South Piedmont Community College profile
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Johnston Community College placed #32 among Healthcare schools in North Carolina. Based in Smithfield, NC, Johnston Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Johnston Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $9,490 in debt. Read more about Johnston Community College
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Richmond Community College placed #33 among Healthcare schools in North Carolina. Richmond Community College is a public school based in Hamlet, NC. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. The median Healthcare program debt is $8,407. Read more about Richmond Community College
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College Of The Albemarle placed #34 among Healthcare schools in North Carolina. Set in Elizabeth City, NC, College Of The Albemarle is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. The median Healthcare program debt is $10,240. More on College Of The Albemarle
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Mcdowell Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #35 position. Set in Marion, NC, Mcdowell Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,032, while out-of-state students pay about $6,640. Read the full report on Mcdowell Technical Community College
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Lenoir Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Set in Kinston, NC, Lenoir Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Lenoir Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $9,984 in debt. See the full Lenoir Community College profile
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Sampson Community College did well this year, earning the #37 position. Based in Clinton, NC, Sampson Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. The median Healthcare program debt is $12,596. More on Sampson Community College
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Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, with out-of-state students paying around $6,884. Typical Healthcare student debt is $16,374. Get the full Forsyth Technical Community College report
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Methodist University landed the #39 spot in North Carolina this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Fayetteville, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. In-state tuition and fees average $41,250. Methodist University Healthcare students take on a median of $27,604 in debt. See the full Methodist University profile
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Cleveland Community College landed the #40 spot in North Carolina this year. Based in Shelby, NC, Cleveland Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. More on Cleveland Community College
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Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Located in Hudson, NC, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,528, compared with $6,528 for out-of-state students. Typical Healthcare student debt is $8,750. More on Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute
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Nash Community College landed the #42 spot in North Carolina this year. This public school is set in Rocky Mount, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Nash Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $16,969 in debt. Get the full Nash Community College report
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Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #43 position. Based in Asheville, NC, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,882, while out-of-state students pay about $9,026. Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $18,883 in debt. Get the full Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College report
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Durham Technical Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Set in Durham, NC, Durham Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete their Healthcare program here. Get the full Durham Technical Community College report
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Cape Fear Community College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. Based in Wilmington, NC, Cape Fear Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete their Healthcare program here. Read the full report on Cape Fear Community College
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Beaufort County Community College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Set in Washington, NC, Beaufort County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,540, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Beaufort County Community College Healthcare students take on a median of $7,947 in debt. Read the full report on Beaufort County Community College
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Guilford Technical Community College landed the #47 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Jamestown, NC, Guilford Technical Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,320, with out-of-state students paying around $7,696. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete their Healthcare program here. Read the full report on Guilford Technical Community College
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Central Carolina Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Healthcare schools. This public school is set in Sanford, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical Healthcare student debt is $10,266. More on Central Carolina Community College
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Catawba Valley Community College placed #49 among Healthcare schools in North Carolina. Set in Hickory, NC, Catawba Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,427, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,842 to complete their Healthcare program here. More on Catawba Valley Community College
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Robeson Community College landed the #50 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Lumberton, NC, Robeson Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,604, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. The median Healthcare program debt is $9,949. See the full Robeson Community College profile
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Healthcare Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 129 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 163 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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