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Suburban Colleges in North Carolina

17 schools in North Carolina. See our methodology.

Davidson College stands apart with an impressive 91.9% graduation rate and $81,400 average earnings, reflecting the kind of academic excellence that draws students to North Carolina's suburban campuses. These 17 schools span from $4,842 at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to $41,048 at Elon University, creating pathways into the state's thriving Research Triangle tech sector and Charlotte's banking industry. Wake Technical Community College serves 18,605 students with connections to Raleigh's growing job market, while smaller institutions like Montreat College maintain 750-student environments in mountain communities. Community colleges dominate the affordability spectrum, with graduation rates ranging from 27.1% to 50.7%, preparing graduates for North Carolina's expanding healthcare and manufacturing sectors. The NC Need-Based Scholarship program supports access across this network, where acceptance rates vary dramatically from Davidson's selective 17% to Belmont Abbey's open 97.2% admission policy.
17
Schools
$15,024
Avg. Net Price
$44,763
Avg. Earnings
44.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Suburban Colleges in North Carolina

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 Suburb-Large 1,901 $18,127 91.9%
2 Suburb-Midsize 6,402 $41,048 83.0%
3 Suburb-Midsize 3,359 $5,752 50.7%
4 Suburb-Midsize 2,331 $5,517 39.8%
5 Suburb-Large 1,788 $8,829 37.7%
6 Suburb-Large 18,605 $6,935 31.4%
7 Suburb-Midsize 5,175 $7,150 28.4%
8 Suburb-Large 4,073 $4,842 30.0%
9 Suburb-Large 8,179 $13,926 31.2%
10 Suburb-Midsize 2,393 $16,465 29.5%
11 Suburb-Large 1,127 $18,210 52.1%
12 Suburb-Midsize 1,454 $23,613 46.4%
13 Suburb-Large 750 $26,328 40.6%
14 Suburb-Large 2,462 $21,371 46.8%
15 Suburb-Large 798 $15,662 27.1%
16 Suburb-Large 466 $6,608 46.4%
17 Suburb-Large

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Davidson College different from other North Carolina suburban schools?

Davidson achieves a 91.9% graduation rate with highly selective 17% acceptance rate, producing graduates who earn $81,400 annually. This small liberal arts college of 1,901 students consistently ranks among the nation's top schools while maintaining its suburban Davidson location near Charlotte's banking sector.

How do community college costs compare to private options in suburban North Carolina?

Community colleges average $4,842 to $16,465 annually, while private colleges range from $15,662 to $41,048. Rowan-Cabarrus offers the lowest cost at $4,842, compared to Elon's $41,048. Graduates from both sectors find employment in North Carolina's growing tech and healthcare industries.

Is Wake Technical Community College worth considering for career training?

Wake Technical serves 18,605 students with a $6,935 net price and graduates earning $41,769 annually, above the community college average. Its Raleigh location provides direct access to Research Triangle employers, though the 31.4% graduation rate requires student commitment to completion.

Does Elon University justify its higher cost compared to other suburban options?

Elon's $41,048 cost produces an 83% graduation rate and $74,545 graduate earnings, second only to Davidson. With 6,402 students and 74.5% acceptance rate, it offers selective academics without Davidson's extreme competition, preparing graduates for North Carolina's professional job market.

Where can students find the most affordable four-year degrees in suburban North Carolina?

Livingstone College offers four-year degrees at $15,662 annually, though with a 27.1% graduation rate. Catawba College provides better value at $18,210 with 52.1% graduation rate and $48,793 earnings. Both Salisbury schools benefit from proximity to Charlotte's employment opportunities.

Related

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.