Colleges Near Cary, North Carolina
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Cary? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 20 miles of Cary, North Carolina.
There are at least 17 colleges serving the area, including 10 private colleges and universities, 3 public colleges and universities, and 2 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Cary, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Cary, North Carolina Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Cary, North Carolina have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2023, students completed 34,601 doctorates at colleges and universities near Cary. That was an increase of 7% from completions reported in 2019.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2023
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Cary, North Carolina
There are at least 10 schools offering degrees near Cary, North Carolina, and 10 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 16,398 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2023, a total of 11,046 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 3,976 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Cary, North Carolina area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2023, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Shepherds Theological Seminary is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and all programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Shepherds Theological Seminary. In 2023, 34 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, and 5 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
39
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Watts School of Nursing is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Watts School of Nursing. In 2023, 75 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
163
Completions By Degree
75
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Apex School of Theology is a non-accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Apex School of Theology. In 2023, 75 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 16 associate degrees, 45 master's degrees, and 18 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
389
Completions By Degree
154
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Meredith College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Meredith College. In 2023, 363 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 87 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,294
Completions By Degree
450
Est. Online Degree Availability
2%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Shaw University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Shaw University. In 2023, 184 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 41 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
918
Completions By Degree
225
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Saint Augustine's University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Saint Augustine's University. In 2023, 100 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 8 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
937
Completions By Degree
108
Est. Online Degree Availability
99%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham is a non-accredited for profit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham. In 2023, 64 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 11 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
370
Completions By Degree
75
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Duke University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Duke University. In 2023, 3,764 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 2,793 bachelor's degrees, and 1,009 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
6,570
Completions By Degree
7,566
Est. Online Degree Availability
19%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
William Peace University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at William Peace University. In 2023, 183 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
640
Completions By Degree
183
Est. Online Degree Availability
44%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Cary, North Carolina
There are 3 four-year public colleges located near Cary, North Carolina. About 50,131 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 22,254 degrees were completed at public colleges near Cary. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
North Carolina Central University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at North Carolina Central University. In 2023, 980 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 529 master's degrees, and 132 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,101
Completions By Degree
1,641
Est. Online Degree Availability
50%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. In 2023, 6,397 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 89 associate degrees, 2,997 master's degrees, and 647 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
25,109
Completions By Degree
10,130
Est. Online Degree Availability
22%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2023, 6,420 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 2,810 master's degrees, and 1,253 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
19,921
Completions By Degree
10,483
Est. Online Degree Availability
21%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Cary, North Carolina
There are 2 community colleges near Cary, North Carolina where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2023, about 21,256 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Cary, and about 3,432 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Durham Technical Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,254
Completions By Degree
674
Est. Online Degree Availability
30%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Wake Technical Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
18,002
Completions By Degree
2,758
Est. Online Degree Availability
70%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Cary, North Carolina
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Cary, North Carolina? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Cary-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $29,780. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Cary is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Cary, North Carolina
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Cary, North Carolina is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Cary, North Carolina here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Duke University
- Shepherds Theological Seminary
- Meredith College
- William Peace University
- Saint Augustine's University
- Shaw University
- Watts School of Nursing
- Durham Technical Community College
- Wake Technical Community College
Cary, North Carolina Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Cary? What's the Cary, North Carolina job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2023, there were about 1,294,740 jobs in the Cary, North Carolina area. From 2022-2023, job growth in Cary was above the national average, at 3.4%. There were 172,671 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Cary do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $25.58.