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Best Universities in north Carolina for International Students

Darshan Shah
Darshan Shah

03 Oct 2024

North Carolina is home to some of the top and most prestigious institutes for Study in the US. The best Universities in North Carolina for International Students are known for academic excellence, research opportunities, diverse programs and the best cultural experience. For students who are willing to explore different diverse cultures and are looking for career aspirations, North Carolina is an ideal location. Some of the most renowned universities in North Carolina are- Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hills, North Carolina State University and many more. These universities provide students with specialisation in diverse programs like business, engineering, healthcare and humanities. North Carolina is an affordable state and provides a very vibrant living experience to international students. This blog will help you explore the Best Universities in North Carolina for International Students. 

Why choose North Carolina

North Carolina is an ideal location for international students who want to experience academic excellence and want to explore different fields. Here are a few reasons why international students must choose North Carolina for their education.

High-quality education

  • For students who are willing to explore different diverse cultures and are looking for career aspirations, North Carolina is an ideal location. Some of the most renowned universities in North Carolina are- Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hills, North Carolina State University and many more. 

Affordable cost of living

  • When compared to other US states, North Carolina has a lower cost of living and low tuition fees, making it an ideal location for international students.

Diverse academic options

  • North Carolina universities provide students with specialisation in diverse programs like business, engineering, healthcare and humanities. Students can explore different fields on the basis of their interests.

Cultural diversity

  • North Carolina welcomes students from all around the world. Students get to interact with students with different cultures and perspectives. This way international students can also expand their networking.

Research and innovation

  • North Carolina is known for their absolutely best research research opportunities. Students get an opportunity to participate in research and projects in the field of business, engineering, healthcare and humanity.

Career opportunities

  • North Carolina provides students with direct access to global markets and big industries. International students get lot of career opportunities and job placements through North Carolina universities.

Warm climate

  • International students get a good warm climate, beautiful landscapes, and many recreational opportunities. This keeps the balance between their academic and personal life.

Student support

  • There are many student clubs in North Carolina that supports international students. Universities also provide international students with mentorship, counselling sessions and scholarship programmes, that help in their education.

Cost of living in North Carolina

Cost of living and tuition fees are two important factors that students consider when choosing the university and the city. This is very personalised and completely depends on the preferences of individual students. We have put down an approximate range for the cost of living in tuition fees in North Carolina.

Tuition fees 

  • For international students, the undergraduate programme's tuition fees is around $25,000-$35,000 yearly for public universities and $40,000 to $60,000 yearly for private universities.
  • For international students, the postgraduate programmes tuition fees is around $20,000-$30,000 yearly for public universities and $30,000 to $50,000 yearly for private universities. 

Housing

  • On campus housing ranges between $8000-$12,000 per academic year. 
  • Students go for an apartment outside the campus. The approximate rent is around $600 to $1500 per month.

Utility

  • Under utility comes electricity, water, heating, and cooling. The approximate expense is around $100-$200 monthly. For the Internet, the expenses are around $50-$80 monthly.

Food

  • Students can expect $200-$400 monthly for groceries. This completely depends on the utility and preference.
  • Students choose to dine out per meal; the expense is around $10-$40.
  • Almost all the universities provide on campus meal services. It ranges between $2500-$4000 yearly.

Transportation

  • Students usually take up public transportation while travelling to universities or other places. This public transportation provides university students with discounts. Students usually take a pass which costs around $30-$60.
  • If students own a car, the monthly expenses are around $500 to $1000, including insurance.

Other miscellaneous expense

  • For books and other supplies, the expense is around $500 to $1000 yearly.
  • Entertainment is a very personal expense, but approximately a student spends around $100-$300 monthly.
  • It is usually compulsory for international students to take up health insurance. It is around $1500-$2500 yearly.

Best universities in North Carolina for international students 

Here is the list of the best universities in North Carolina for international students. Check it below-

1) North Carolina agriculture, and technical state university

  • Location- Greensboro, North Carolina 
  • Type- Public historically black university 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs, the tuition fees are around $19,416 yearly.
  • For postgraduate programs, the tuition fees are around $17,000 - $25,000 yearly.
  • Scholarship-
  • Need based scholarship 
  • Merit-based scholarship (Aggie Global Scholarship)
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Master’s 
  • Doctorate degree 
  • Top programs-
  • Business administration 
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Electrical engineering 
  • Agriculture and Environmental Science 
  • Computer science 
  • Nursing 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)

2) Francis Marion University 

  • Location- Florence, South Carolina 
  • Type- Public university 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs, the tuition fees are around $21,544 yearly.
  • For postgraduate programs, the tuition fees are around $21,000 yearly.
  • Scholarship-
  • Need-based scholarship 
  • Merit based scholarship
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Master’s 
  • Specialist degree 
  • Top programs-
  • Business 
  • Education
  • Healthcare Administration 
  • Psychology 
  • Nursing 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)

3) North Carolina State University

  • Location- Raleigh, North Carolina 
  • Type- Public research university 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs, the tuition fees are around $29,220 yearly.
  • For postgraduate programs, the tuition fees are around $29,000 yearly.
  • Scholarship-
  • Global education scholarship 
  • Merit-based scholarship
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Master’s 
  • Doctorate degree 
  • Top programs-
  • Civil engineering 
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Electrical engineering 
  • Agriculture 
  • Computer science 
  • Business
  • Life sciences 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)

4) University of North Carolina Ashevile

  • Location- Ashevile, North Carolina 
  • Type- Public liberal arts university 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs the tuition fees are around $24,728 yearly.
  • focuses more on undergraduate programmes
  • Scholarship-
  • Merit based scholarship 
  • Chancellor, international scholarship
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Limited Master’s program
  • Top programs-
  • Environmental science 
  • Psychology 
  • Business 
  • Arts 
  • Political science 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)

5) Western Carolina University

  • Location- Cullowhee, North Carolina 
  • Type- Public university 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs the tuition fees are around $14,000 yearly.
  • For postgraduate programs the tuition fees are around $17,000 yearly.
  • Scholarship-
  • Merit based scholarship 
  • Global WCU Scholarship 
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Master’s 
  • Doctorate degree 
  • Top programs-
  • Education 
  • Engineering 
  • Business administration
  • Nursing 
  • Fine and performing arts 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)
  • ABET- engineering 
  • AACSB- Business 

6) South Carolina State University

Location- Orangeburg, North Carolina 

  • Type- Public historically black university 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs the tuition fees are around $21,750 yearly.
  • For postgraduate programs the tuition fees are around $22,000 yearly.
  • Scholarship-
  • Merit based scholarship 
  • Presidential scholarship 
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Master’s 
  • Doctorate degree 
  • Top programs-
  • Education 
  • Engineering 
  • Business administration
  • Biology 
  • Psychology 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)
  • ABET- engineering 
  • AACSB- Business 

7) College of Charleston 

  • Location- Charleston, North Carolina 
  • Type- Public university 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs the tuition fees are around $33,978 yearly.
  • For postgraduate programs the tuition fees are around $30,000 yearly.
  • Scholarship-
  • Merit based scholarship 
  • Global WCU Scholarship 
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Master’s 
  • Specialist degree 
  • Top programs-
  • Marine biology 
  • Business 
  • Computer science
  • Political science 
  • Arts 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)
  • ABET- computer science 
  • AACSB- Business 

8) Johnson C Smith University 

  • Location- Charlotte, North Carolina 
  • Type- private, historically, Black university 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs the tuition fees are around $18,564 yearly.
  • Postgraduate programs are limited 
  • Scholarship-
  • Merit based scholarship 
  • Need based scholarship
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Limited Master’s program
  • Top programs-
  • Social work
  • Business administration
  • Computer science
  • Education 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)

9) Winston Salem State University 

  • Location- Winston Salem, North Carolina 
  • Type- public, historically, Black university 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs the tuition fees are around $13,883 yearly.
  • For postgraduate programs the tuition fees are around $16,000 yearly 
  • Scholarship-
  • Merit based scholarship 
  • Need based scholarship
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Masters 
  • Doctoral degree 
  • Top programs-
  • Nursing 
  • Business administration 
  • Healthcare management 
  • Biology
  • Education 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)
  • CCNE- Nursing 
  • AACSB- Business 

10) Central Piedmont community College

  • Location- Charlotte, North Carolina 
  • Type- public community college 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs the tuition fees are around $8,576 yearly.
  • No postgraduate programs available 
  • Scholarship-
  • Global learning scholarship 
  • Need based scholarship
  • Degree-
  • Associate degree
  • Certification 
  • Diploma degree
  • Top programs-
  • Nursing 
  • Information technology 
  • Healthcare management
  • Business 
  • Engineering technology 
  • Graphic design 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)
  • ACEN- Nursing 
  • NAAB- Architecture drafting 

11) Barton College 

  • Location- Wilson, North Carolina 
  • Type- private liberal arts college 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs the tuition fees are around $33,320 yearly.
  • Limited postgraduate programs available Scholarship-
  • Merit based scholarship 
  • Presidential trustee scholarship 
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Limited Masters degree
  • Top programs-
  • Nursing 
  • Business management 
  • Healthcare management 
  • Education 
  • Criminology 
  • Visual arts
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)
  • ACEN- Nursing 

12) Furman University 

  • Location- Greenville, South Carolina 
  • Type- private liberal arts university 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs the tuition fees are around $55,772 yearly.
  • Limited postgraduate programs available Scholarship-
  • Merit based scholarship 
  • James B Duke Scholarship 
  • Bell Tower Scholarship 
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Limited Masters degree
  • Top programs-
  • Political science 
  • Business administration 
  • Health science
  • Biology 
  • Psychology 
  • Sustainability studies
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)
  • AACSB- Business 

13) Catawba College 

  • Location- Salisbury, North Carolina 
  • Type- private library arts college 
  • Tuition fees- 
  • For undergraduate programs the tuition fees are around $33,430 yearly.
  • Limited postgraduate programs available 
  • Scholarship-
  • Merit based scholarship (Presidential and trustee scholarship)
  • Need based scholarship
  • Degree-
  • Bachelor’s 
  • Limited Masters degree
  • Top programs-
  • Environmental science 
  • Business 
  • Sports management 
  • Theatre Art
  • Education 
  • Accreditation
  • By SACSCOC (Southern association of colleges and school commission on colleges)

Conclusion 

North Carolina stands as one of the most preferred choices for international students. They provide quality education and vibrant campus life experience to international students. Some of the top universities are Duke University, UNC Chapel Hill, and NC State, offering a wide range of programs. The cost of living in North Carolina is moderate with very welcoming and supportive communities. Students get access to top resources, strong networks and global experience. It is definitely an ideal location for international students and we at D-Vivid consultant can help you get into your dream university in New York. We will help you with the visa process, submitting application forms, submission of scholarship applications, writing an SOP and much more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What support do North Carolina universities provide international students?

The state provides very strong networking and job opportunities to international students. North Carolina supports international students, through scholarship, grants, mentoring and counselling sessions. They also help international students with the visa process.

Name a few popular programs for international students in North Carolina.

Some popular programs include- business, engineering, law, and public health. Students get a chance to experience diverse programs and specialisation in different fields.

Do North Carolina universities provide scholarship programs to international students?

Yes, almost all the universities in North Carolina provide scholarship programs to international students. Different scholarship programmes like Merit based, need based, assistantship and fellowship for graduates and much more.

What is the average tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs for international students?

For international students, the undergraduate programme's tuition fees is around $25,000-$45,000 yearly. And the postgraduate programmes tuition fees is around $20,000-$60,000. For public universities, the tuition fees are less compared to private universities.

Is North Carolina good for international students?

Yes, North Carolina is an ideal location for international students. International students get to experience a vibrant city life. North Carolina is rich in culture, arts and entertainment. It provides a very social learning environment for students.