About Campbell University
Campbell University has built its reputation around strong pharmacy, business, and pre-health programs rooted in Christian values. This Baptist-affiliated university enrolls 2,790 students in the small town of Buies Creek, North Carolina. The school's motto "Ad Astra per Aspera" reflects its commitment to helping students reach for the stars through hard work. With an 88.58% acceptance rate, Campbell welcomes most qualified applicants who want to combine rigorous academics with faith-based education.
The financial picture shows Campbell working to make private education accessible. Students pay an average net price of $23,991 after aid, well below the sticker price of $40,410 for tuition. Graduates earn a median of $54,886 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $22,500 manageable. Only 33.32% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting the student body skews middle to upper-middle class.
Campbell fields 17 varsity sports in NCAA Division I as the Fighting Camels, with 477 student-athletes receiving $11.9 million in athletic scholarships. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention, though the 55.90% six-year graduation rate suggests some students struggle to finish. About 77% of students come from North Carolina, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.
The financial picture shows Campbell working to make private education accessible. Students pay an average net price of $23,991 after aid, well below the sticker price of $40,410 for tuition. Graduates earn a median of $54,886 ten years after graduation, making the typical debt load of $22,500 manageable. Only 33.32% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting the student body skews middle to upper-middle class.
Campbell fields 17 varsity sports in NCAA Division I as the Fighting Camels, with 477 student-athletes receiving $11.9 million in athletic scholarships. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention, though the 55.90% six-year graduation rate suggests some students struggle to finish. About 77% of students come from North Carolina, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.
Academics & Faculty
Campbell's pharmacy program is one of the most respected in the Southeast, consistently producing top NAPLEX pass rates. The university also excels in business and pre-health tracks, with strong medical school acceptance rates for graduates. Students work closely with faculty in a 13:1 ratio that enables personalized mentoring across all programs. However, the 56% six-year graduation rate suggests academic rigor can be challenging for some students. The Christian foundation shapes curriculum with required religion courses and chapel attendance. Campbell's osteopathic medicine school gives pre-med students unique research and shadowing opportunities. The nursing and education programs also maintain strong regional reputations among employers.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 48.4%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 55.7%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 55.9%
- Retention Rate
- 74.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $54,886
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral/Professional University
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $117,337 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $102,642 |
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other. | Bachelor | $62,632 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $54,810 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $52,107 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $51,607 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Bachelor | $45,500 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $44,508 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $43,128 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $39,729 |
Campus Life
Campbell sits in the small town of Buies Creek, about an hour south of Raleigh. With housing capacity for 1,387 students and total enrollment of 2,790, roughly half the student body lives on campus. The Baptist heritage shapes campus culture, though the school welcomes students from all backgrounds. North Carolina weather means mild winters where a light jacket suffices, though summers can be humid and hot.
The Fighting Camels compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports, and athletic events draw strong crowds from the close-knit community. With 477 total athletes on campus, sports culture runs deep. Students often head to nearby Lillington for dining or make weekend trips to Raleigh for bigger city attractions. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio creates a family-like atmosphere where professors know students by name. Campus traditions center around basketball games and homecoming festivities. The rural setting means social life revolves around residence halls, campus organizations, and university events rather than off-campus nightlife.
The Fighting Camels compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports, and athletic events draw strong crowds from the close-knit community. With 477 total athletes on campus, sports culture runs deep. Students often head to nearby Lillington for dining or make weekend trips to Raleigh for bigger city attractions. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio creates a family-like atmosphere where professors know students by name. Campus traditions center around basketball games and homecoming festivities. The rural setting means social life revolves around residence halls, campus organizations, and university events rather than off-campus nightlife.
- Setting
- Town-Fringe
- Housing Capacity
- 1,387 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1887
Campus Safety (2023)
10 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fondling | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 29°–52°F
- July Avg
- 69°–90°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 46.6"
- Annual Snowfall
- 2.1"
Student Demographics
Campbell draws students primarily from North Carolina, with 77% coming from in-state, reflecting its strong regional reputation in the Carolinas. The student body leans slightly female at 52%, typical for universities with robust health science and education programs. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves middle-class families seeking affordable Christian education. The diverse student mix includes significant Black and Hispanic populations alongside a white majority, creating a community that values both academic excellence and Baptist principles. Most students are drawn to Campbell's pre-professional programs and faith-based learning environment.
- Men
- 47.8%
- Women
- 52.2%
- White
- 58.2%
- Black
- 15.5%
- Hispanic
- 12.8%
- Asian
- 1.9%
- In-State Students
- 77.2%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 33.3%
Location
Campbell University sits in Buies Creek, North Carolina, about 35 miles south of Raleigh. The campus occupies a small town setting in the rural Piedmont region, where 77% of students come from in-state. Buies Creek itself has fewer than 3,000 residents, creating an intimate college town atmosphere surrounded by farmland and pine forests. The nearby Cape Fear River provides outdoor recreation opportunities for the 2,790 enrolled students. Despite the rural setting, students can reach the Research Triangle's job market and internship opportunities within an hour's drive. The town-fringe location offers small-town community feel while maintaining access to North Carolina's major metropolitan areas. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Campbell University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Buies Creek, North Carolina 27506
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $54,886
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $55,342
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $38,700
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 57.2%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $239/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,500
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Campbell University?
Campbell University accepts 88.58% of applicants, making it relatively accessible for prospective students. This Christian university in rural North Carolina draws primarily in-state students who value its strong pre-health and pharmacy programs.
How much does Campbell University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $23,991 after aid, despite a sticker price of $56,994. The university provides substantial institutional grants averaging $32,567 to nearly 19% of students who receive them.
What is Campbell University known for academically?
Campbell excels in pharmacy, business, and pre-health programs within a Christian educational framework. With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio across 2,790 students, the university emphasizes personalized attention in its professional degree pathways.
What are the graduation rates at Campbell University?
Only 55.90% of students graduate within six years, which is below the national average for four-year institutions. However, graduates earn a median salary of $54,886 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the value of the university's professional programs.
Where is Campbell University located and what is campus life like?
The university sits in tiny Buies Creek, North Carolina, housing 1,387 students on campus out of 2,790 total enrollment. As the Fighting Camels, Campbell competes in NCAA Division I athletics with 477 student-athletes across 17 varsity sports.
Does Campbell University have a strong athletic program?
Campbell awards $11,904,783 in athletic scholarships annually and competes in the Coastal Athletic Association at the Division I level. The Fighting Camels nickname reflects the university's unique identity in small-town North Carolina, where athletics play a central role in campus culture.
