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2023 Best Healthcare Schools in North Carolina

68 Schools Ranked
$40,371 Average Earnings
$21,909 Avg Student Debt

There are so many healthcare programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The Best Healthcare Schools in North Carolina ranking is one of many tools that Healthcare Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 68 schools in North Carolina to see which ones offered the best programs for healthcare students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Healthcare Schools in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
$55,309 Average Earnings
$17,222 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Wake Forest University to be the best school for healthcare students in North Carolina.

On average, students take out $17,222 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $644. Once they receive their degree, Wake Forest University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,309 during the early year of their career.

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#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
$71,290 Average Earnings
$19,762 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Duke University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best healthcare schools in North Carolina.

Degree recipients from Duke accumulate an average of $19,762 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $727.After graduating from Duke, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $71,290 during the early years of their career.

Full Duke University Report

#3

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
$51,808 Average Earnings
$16,358 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a great place for healthcare students.

On average, students take out $16,358 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $300 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNC Chapel Hill graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,808 during the early year of their career.

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#4

Wingate University

Wingate, North Carolina
$50,728 Average Earnings
$24,901 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 68 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Wingate University landed the # 4 spot on the list.

On average, students take out $24,901 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $315.After graduating from Wingate, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,728 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Wingate University

#5

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, North Carolina
$41,660 Average Earnings
$30,843 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at University of Mount Olive helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best healthcare schools in North Carolina.

On average, students take out $30,843 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UMO graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,660 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Mount Olive Report

#6

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
$37,140 Average Earnings
$24,759 Avg Student Debt

University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #6 on the list.

Degree recipients from UNC Greensboro accumulate an average of $24,759 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $174, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNC Greensboro graduates make an average of $37,140 annually.

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#7

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
$35,760 Average Earnings
$21,113 Avg Student Debt

Appalachian State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in North Carolina list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,113 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $224. Once they receive their degree, Appalachian State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,760 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Appalachian State University

#8

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
$37,326 Average Earnings
$22,787 Avg Student Debt

University of North Carolina at Wilmington came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in North Carolina ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,787 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $304.After graduating from UNCW, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,326 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on University of North Carolina at Wilmington

#9

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
$46,346 Average Earnings
$24,912 Avg Student Debt

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,912 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $193. During the early years of their career, UNC Charlotte graduates make an average of $46,346 annually.

Read full report on University of North Carolina at Charlotte

#10

Lenoir - Rhyne University

Hickory, North Carolina
$51,336 Average Earnings
$24,774 Avg Student Debt

Lenoir - Rhyne University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #10 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,774 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $393.After graduating from Lenoir - Rhyne University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,336 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Lenoir - Rhyne University

#11

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
$44,403 Average Earnings
$24,531 Avg Student Debt

East Carolina University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #11 on the list.

On average, students take out $24,531 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $277 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ECU graduates make an average of $44,403 annually.

Full East Carolina University Report

#12

Campbell University

Buies Creek, North Carolina
$48,312 Average Earnings
$23,722 Avg Student Debt

Campbell University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,722 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $500. During the early years of their career, Campbell graduates make an average of $48,312 annually.

Full Campbell University Report

#13

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, North Carolina
$43,182 Average Earnings
$30,266 Avg Student Debt

North Carolina A & T State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #13 on the list.

On average, students take out $30,266 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $143 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, NC A&T graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,182 during the early year of their career.

Full North Carolina A & T State University Report

#14

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
$36,051 Average Earnings
$14,635 Avg Student Debt

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

Degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College accumulate an average of $14,635 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Central Piedmont Community College graduates make an average of $36,051 annually.

Full Central Piedmont Community College Report

#15

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
$39,081 Average Earnings
$28,735 Avg Student Debt

Winston - Salem State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in North Carolina list.

Degree recipients from WSSU accumulate an average of $28,735 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $111, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, WSSU graduates make an average of $39,081 annually.

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#16

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina
$39,924 Average Earnings
$23,228 Avg Student Debt

Western Carolina University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in North Carolina ranking.

On average, students take out $23,228 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $198 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, WCU graduates make an average of $39,924 annually.

Read full report on Western Carolina University

#17

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
$32,146 Average Earnings
$12,298 Avg Student Debt

Gaston College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in North Carolina list.

Degree recipients from Gaston College accumulate an average of $12,298 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Gaston College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,146 during the early years of their career.

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#18

Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
$49,246 Average Earnings
$27,540 Avg Student Debt

Queens University of Charlotte landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

Degree recipients from Queens accumulate an average of $27,540 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Queens graduates make an average of $49,246 annually.

Read full report on Queens University of Charlotte

#19

Craven Community College

New Bern, North Carolina
$36,426 Average Earnings
$11,708 Avg Student Debt

Craven Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best healthcare programs.

Degree recipients from Craven Community College accumulate an average of $11,708 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Craven Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,426 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Craven Community College

#20

Montgomery Community College

Troy, North Carolina
$34,328 Average Earnings
$13,407 Avg Student Debt

Montgomery Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Healthcare Schools in North Carolina list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,407 in student loans. During the early years of their career, MCC graduates make an average of $34,328 annually.

Full Montgomery Community College Report

#21

Pfeiffer University

Misenheimer, North Carolina
$49,968 Average Earnings
$28,113 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #21, Pfeiffer University did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working.

On average, students take out $28,113 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Pfeiffer University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,968 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Pfeiffer University

#22

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
$34,276 Average Earnings
$22,943 Avg Student Debt

Pitt Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #22 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,943 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Pitt Community College graduates make an average of $34,276 annually.

Read full report on Pitt Community College

#23

Brunswick Community College

Bolivia, North Carolina
$42,159 Average Earnings
$12,698 Avg Student Debt

Brunswick Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #23 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,698 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Brunswick Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,159 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Brunswick Community College

#24

Gardner - Webb University

Boiling Springs, North Carolina
$48,196 Average Earnings
$26,734 Avg Student Debt

Gardner - Webb University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students. It came in at #24 on the list.

On average, students take out $26,734 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $324, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Gardner - Webb graduates make an average of $48,196 annually.

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#25

Surry Community College

Dobson, North Carolina
$32,152 Average Earnings
$12,403 Avg Student Debt

Surry Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Schools in North Carolina ranking.

Degree recipients from Surry Community College accumulate an average of $12,403 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Surry Community College graduates make an average of $32,152 annually.

Read full report on Surry Community College

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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