North Carolina · Getting in
Easiest colleges to get into in North Carolina
The short answer
The easiest four-year colleges to get into in North Carolina are Pfeiffer University (96%), William Peace University (94%) and Barton College (94%), by the share of applicants admitted.
A high acceptance rate means the college admits most people who apply. Open-admission colleges admit anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent. Each row also shows the average price after grants, so you can weigh the two.
The list (25 of 50)
Four-year colleges in North Carolina with 500 or more undergraduates, open-admission colleges first, then the highest acceptance rate. The list shows 25 of the 50 colleges with an acceptance rate or open admission on file. Rates come from IPEDS (fall 2024).
- Pfeiffer University 96% admitted Misenheimer, NC · Average price after grants: $22,696 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- William Peace University 94% admitted Raleigh, NC · Average price after grants: $23,002 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Barton College 94% admitted Wilson, NC · Average price after grants: $24,367 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- University of North Carolina at Pembroke 93% admitted Pembroke, NC · Average price after grants: $10,522 a year in-state, about $14,522 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- University of North Carolina Asheville 92% admitted Asheville, NC · Average price after grants: $14,999 a year in-state, about $32,347 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Wingate University 91% admitted Wingate, NC · Average price after grants: $21,511 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Appalachian State University 90% admitted Boone, NC · Average price after grants: $16,082 a year in-state, about $34,372 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- East Carolina University 89% admitted Greenville, NC · Average price after grants: $16,880 a year in-state, about $33,157 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro 89% admitted Greensboro, NC · Average price after grants: $12,291 a year in-state, about $29,265 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Campbell University 87% admitted Buies Creek, NC · Average price after grants: $25,057 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- North Carolina Central University 87% admitted Durham, NC · Average price after grants: $16,708 a year in-state, about $29,744 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Lenoir-Rhyne University 85% admitted Hickory, NC · Average price after grants: $18,641 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Fayetteville State University 82% admitted Fayetteville, NC · Average price after grants: $10,009 a year in-state, about $14,009 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Western Carolina University 82% admitted Cullowhee, NC · Average price after grants: $13,025 a year in-state, about $17,025 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- North Carolina Wesleyan University 80% admitted Rocky Mount, NC · Average price after grants: $20,318 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Shaw University 80% admitted Raleigh, NC · Average price after grants: $24,242 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Guilford College 80% admitted Greensboro, NC · Average price after grants: $22,813 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte 80% admitted Charlotte, NC · Average price after grants: $26,258 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte 80% admitted Charlotte, NC · Average price after grants: $15,142 a year in-state, about $31,348 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Winston-Salem State University 78% admitted Winston-Salem, NC · Average price after grants: $12,817 a year in-state, about $23,473 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Gardner-Webb University 77% admitted Boiling Springs, NC · Average price after grants: $21,150 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Lees-McRae College 77% admitted Banner Elk, NC · Average price after grants: $28,253 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- University of Mount Olive 76% admitted Mount Olive, NC · Average price after grants: $18,927 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- High Point University 75% admitted High Point, NC · Average price after grants: $41,019 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
- Catawba College 75% admitted Salisbury, NC · Average price after grants: $15,993 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
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What are the easiest colleges to get into in North Carolina?
The easiest four-year colleges to get into in North Carolina are Pfeiffer University (96%), William Peace University (94%) and Barton College (94%), by the share of applicants admitted.
What acceptance rates do these colleges have?
The 25 colleges listed admitted 75% to 96% of applicants.
How recent are these acceptance rates?
Each row shows its year. Rates come from IPEDS, the federal college survey, for students who applied for fall 2024, or from the college's own Common Data Set for fall 2025 where that is newer.
Numbers change each year when colleges and the Department of Education publish new data. Confirm costs and admission rules with the college before you apply.