A Complete Guide to Colleges in Charlotte

5 Popular Colleges in Charlotte, NC

We put together a table that lists all colleges in Charlotte and its surrounding area. But before that, let's spotlight some of the most popular Charlotte colleges based on variables like enrollment size, selectivity, and reputation.

All school data below comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Tuition and fees are from 2022-2023, while acceptance rates, enrollment statistics, net prices, and number of applicants are from 2021.

• 1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $7,214 (in-state) | $21,338 (out-of-state)
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 30,448

  A large public research university in a bustling urban setting, UNC Charlotte is the fastest-growing institution in the UNC system. The school's most popular majors are entrepreneurship, computer science, and education. What's more, UNC Charlotte is the state's second-biggest producer of teachers.

  UNC Charlotte has two locations: a 1,000-acre campus in the University City neighborhood and another in downtown Charlotte. Three light rail stations allow students to commute between neighborhoods, business districts, and urban centers.

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• 2. Davidson College

  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $57,340
  • Acceptance Rate: 18%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 1,973

  As one of the "Hidden Ivies," Davidson is a highly selective institution that frequently ranks among the top 20 liberal arts colleges in the U.S.

  Founded in 1837 in a suburb 19 miles from Charlotte, Davidson offers over 70 majors, minors, and programs. One of the school's most popular majors is econometrics and quantitative economics.

  Davidson was also the first liberal arts college to eliminate loans from financial aid packages.

• 3. Queens University of Charlotte

  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $40,830
  • Acceptance Rate: 69%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 2,063

  Queens is a private university based in the historical neighborhood of Myers Park. With a "big city, small school" identity, Queens takes pride in its tight-knit community and proximity to a fast-paced metro area.

  Popular majors here include business, marketing, and communication. Through a program called the Queens Advantage, you can join learning communities and connect your education to a major theme, such as sustainability, social justice, or immigration.

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• 4. Johnson C. Smith University

  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $19,504
  • Acceptance Rate: 45%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 1,166

  The only historically Black college or university (HBCU) in Charlotte, JCSU is a private university known for its technologically focused instruction. IBM even pledged over $100 million to the school as part of its Quantum Education and Research Initiative for HBCUs.

  JCSU blends liberal arts with business and applied science, linking students to workforce development opportunities in the broader Charlotte area. JCSU's urban campus sits atop the highest point in Charlotte and is just a few minutes northwest of downtown.

• 5. Wingate University

  • Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $40,806
  • Acceptance Rate: 85%
  • Total Student Enrollment: 3,439

  A private university in a suburb southeast of Charlotte, Wingate integrates its Judeo-Christian heritage with three pillars of focus: faith, knowledge, and service.

  Wingate's Advantage Program allows you to complete an undergraduate degree and a health sciences graduate program in one place. The university is also known for improving social mobility for low-income students.

Frequently Asked Questions About Charlotte Colleges

How many colleges are in the Charlotte area?

There are 12 colleges in Charlotte and the surrounding suburbs of Belmont, Davidson, Concord, and Wingate. This number includes eight private nonprofit colleges, two for-profit universities, and two public schools, according to NCES.

As of fall 2021, over 52,000 students were enrolled in academic institutions within a 30-mile radius of Charlotte, including 41,482 undergraduates.

What big college is in Charlotte, NC?

UNC Charlotte is the biggest college in Charlotte, with a total of 30,448 students in fall 2021. UNC Charlotte is the third-largest university in North Carolina, behind 36,831 students at North Carolina State University and 31,641 at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Established in 1946, UNC Charlotte comprises three campuses. Its main campus is located in the University City neighborhood, just 10 miles northeast of Uptown Charlotte.

Its Charlotte Research Institute Campus is attached to the main campus, and its Center City Campus is located downtown.

What is the most diverse university in Charlotte?

UNC Charlotte is one the most diverse universities in Charlotte, according to NCES data. In fall 2021, around 45% of undergraduates identified as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority. UNC Charlotte leads the state in Latino/a enrollment among four-year institutions.

Queens University of Charlotte, a private university near downtown, also has a diverse student body. About 35% of Queens' undergraduates identify as students of color, according to NCES data.