10 Best Colleges and Universities in Charlotte, NC (2025)

The city of Charlotte offers amazing attractions and a solid number of colleges that the general public can enroll in. The colleges available can differ in size, location, and degrees available.

However, all of the colleges share a similar mission of providing a well-rounded education and a community that is geared toward effective collaboration.

Learn.org identifies the top 10 colleges in or near Charlotte and helps answer commonly asked questions about enrolling in a college in the city.

Featured Colleges in Charlotte, NC

The city of Charlotte has amazing colleges that are equipped to prepare students for many different careers. The list contains the 10 best colleges in or near Charlotte, NC.

1. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is considered the fastest-growing institution in the UNC system. It is a large public research university that offers popular degree programs in:

• Entrepreneurship
• Computer Science
• Education

At the university, students are granted the option to select from bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs.

In addition to its on-campus programs, the institution has numerous online degree programs that are fully flexible and convenient.

Online students can earn degrees in:

• Healthcare
• Business
• Computing and Informatics
• Engineering
• Education

Additionally, the college offers an affordable cost of attendance rate for in-state students. For the 2023-2024 academic year, students are expected to have a total cost of around $25,000.

2. Queens University of Charlotte

Queens University of Charlotte is a private university that aims to provide transformative educational experiences that nurture intellectual curiosity and prepare individuals for fulfilling lives.

The university offers plenty of degree programs for a student to select from. Some of these areas of study include:

• Communication and Media
• Business and Management
• Education
• Health and Wellbeing
• Science and Math

Along with the coursework, students are given ample opportunities to enroll in internships and study abroad programs.

Because the university is private, a full-time student can expect a total tuition cost of around $40,000.

3. Catawba College

Catawba College is a small college that is known for its dedicated faculty, beautiful campus, and loyal alumni.

The college combines the liberal arts, humanities, sciences, and professional programs to prepare its graduates for career success.

In total, the college has around 1,234 students and offers more than 70 academic fields of study. Some of these areas of study include:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Business and Economics
• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Education

The college has an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and has an average class size of 13.

The institution is located in Salisbury, NC, approximately 45 minutes from the greater Charlotte area.

4. Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University is a small for-profit university that is located in Charlotte. The university's admission is highly competitive and has around a total of 90 undergraduate students.

The only major offered is nursing and it is delivered at the bachelor's, master's, and doctorate levels. Overall, the institution is committed to creating:

• An academic culture in which colleagues and students thrive
• Educating and empowering diverse healthcare professionals
• Graduating professionals who transform the health of people worldwide

5. Wingate University

Wingate University is another popular university that is located near the Charlotte area.

The university is considered to be a comprehensive, independent college that blends in-class learning with out-of-class application.

The university serves more than 3,400 students consisting of both undergraduate and graduate students. The college has:

• 37 undergraduate majors
• Eight master's degree programs
• Four doctoral degree programs

The most popular undergraduate majors are:

• Biology
• Psychology
• Exercise Science
• Criminal Justice
• Sport Management

More than half of the graduate students are enrolled in health sciences: pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant studies.

6. Belmont Abbey College

Belmont Abbey College is another private college that is located near the Charlotte area. The institution is a small, Catholic college that has an enrollment of 1,363 undergraduate students.

The college is ranked as one of the top Catholic colleges and offers a wide range of degree programs. The most popular areas of study are:

• Business
• Sport and Fitness Management
• Biology

The college provides its students with a liberal arts education that prepares them to become leaders in their communities.

7. Winthrop University

Winthrop University is a public university that is nationally recognized for its dedication to excellence in higher education. The university offers:

• 44 undergraduate majors
• 23 graduate and certificate programs
• Over 80 clubs and organizations

The institution has around 4,712 total students which consist of:

• 3,741 undergraduate students
• 971 graduate students

The school has a diverse range of programs that Charlotte residents can enroll in.

8. Davidson College

Davidson College is an institution that is consistently ranked among the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S. The college offers over 70 majors, minors, and programs.

The college has over 1,900 students and offers an average class size of 17 with a 9 to 1 student-faculty ratio. Once enrolled, students are eligible to become majors in:

• Communication Studies
• Computer Science
• Environmental Studies
• Humanities
• Mathematics

One of the school's most popular majors is economics. Throughout the program, students take a variety of courses, such as:

• Economics of Gender Family
• Economics of Crime and Incarceration
• Forecasting

9. Johnson & Wales University

Johnson & Wales University is another private, accredited institution with more than 8,000 undergraduate, graduate, and online students. The university has degree programs in:

• Arts and Sciences
• Business
• Food Innovation
• Nutrition
• Hospitality

The university does a great job of instilling its values and maximizing student potential through the use of work-integrated learning.

10. Johnson C. Smith University

Johnson C. Smith University is a popular, private HBCU school in North Carolina. The institution has around 1,093 students and 15 NCAA Division II teams.

In total, the college offers 22 degree programs: 21 undergraduate and 1 graduate program. The only graduate degree program offered is a Master of Social Work program.

Due to the college's size, the average classroom size is around an 11 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio.

What Is the Biggest School Near Charlotte, NC?

The biggest school in Charlotte is the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The university has a total of 30, 298 students and has close to 200,000 living alumni.

How To Choose the Right College Near Charlotte, NC

Overall, there are around 12 colleges in or near the Charlotte area. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the largest and most diverse college available in the area.

The most important factors to consider when selecting the right college are:

• Location
• Cost of Attendance
• Accreditation Status
• Degree Programs Available

When selecting a college, choosing an accredited institution demonstrates that the college meets certain educational standards.

Paying for Your Degree Near Charlotte, NC

Applying for financial aid is the most common method to help cover a college degree's costs.

Through the FAFSA application, students can receive federal aid in the forms of:

• Loans
• Grants

Aside from financial aid, students can also apply for scholarships through various organizations as well as participate in both work-study and tuition assistance programs.

Start Your Degree Near Charlotte, NC Today

The city of Charlotte offers amazing attractions as well as an endless number of reputable colleges and universities.

If you are looking to pursue a degree from any of these colleges, please visit the institution's official website for more information.