Top 3 Computer Science Programs in North Carolina 2025
Duke University
Elite private program with exceptional research opportunities and direct connections to Research Triangle tech companies
North Carolina State University
Top public CS program with strong industry partnerships including Red Hat, IBM, and SAS Institute headquarters
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Flagship public university with renowned CS research programs and excellent value at under $9,000 in-state tuition
- 1.North Carolina has 35+ accredited computer science bachelor's programs across UNC system, NC State, and private universities (IPEDS 2023)
- 2.Duke University ranks #1 in North Carolina with 95% graduation rate and strong Research Triangle industry connections
- 3.NC State offers exceptional value with top-tier CS education at $9,101 in-state tuition and direct pathways to major tech employers
- 4.North Carolina software developers earn median $95,940 annually—competitive with national averages in lower-cost markets (BLS North Carolina 2024)
- 5.Research Triangle Park houses 300+ tech companies including IBM, SAS, Red Hat, and Cisco providing abundant internship and career opportunities
Computer Science Education in North Carolina: Research Triangle Advantage
North Carolina has emerged as a leading destination for computer science education, anchored by the world-renowned Research Triangle Park and home to prestigious institutions like Duke University and NC State. The state offers an ideal combination of academic excellence, industry connections, and cost-effectiveness that attracts students nationwide.
The Research Triangle region (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) hosts over 300 technology companies and research organizations, creating unparalleled opportunities for internships, co-ops, and post-graduation employment. Major employers like IBM, SAS Institute, Red Hat, Cisco, and Credit Suisse have significant operations here, making North Carolina an excellent choice for aspiring software engineers and computer scientists.
For comparison with programs nationwide, see our national CS bachelor's rankings. Students focused on affordability should review our most affordable CS programs guide, while career-focused students can explore our software engineer salary guide for North Carolina-specific compensation data.
Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS North Carolina May 2024
6-year completion rate from IPEDS gr2023
Class size and accessibility to professors
North Carolina-specific salaries and job placement
Acceptance rate indicating program rigor and reputation
North Carolina Computer Science Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke University | Durham | Private | $63,450 | 95% | 6:1 | 94.8 |
| 2 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh | Public | $9,101 | 85% | 13:1 | 92.3 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | Public | $8,980 | 91% | 13:1 | 90.7 |
| 4 | Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem | Private | $62,128 | 88% | 11:1 | 87.2 |
| 5 | Davidson College | Davidson | Private | $58,469 | 92% | 10:1 | 85.9 |
| 6 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | Public | $6,946 | 71% | 19:1 | 83.4 |
| 7 | Elon University | Elon | Private | $41,706 | 86% | 12:1 | 81.8 |
| 8 | Appalachian State University | Boone | Public | $7,410 | 73% | 16:1 | 79.5 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro | Public | $7,193 | 61% | 17:1 | 77.2 |
| 10 | East Carolina University | Greenville | Public | $7,238 | 65% | 18:1 | 75.8 |
| 11 | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | Public | $7,018 | 64% | 15:1 | 74.3 |
| 12 | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington | Public | $7,162 | 74% | 16:1 | 73.9 |
| 13 | North Carolina A&T State University | Greensboro | Public | $6,532 | 58% | 19:1 | 72.1 |
| 14 | High Point University | High Point | Private | $40,670 | 82% | 14:1 | 71.5 |
| 15 | Campbell University | Buies Creek | Private | $37,590 | 68% | 13:1 | 69.8 |
| 16 | Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory | Private | $39,850 | 65% | 11:1 | 68.4 |
| 17 | Gardner-Webb University | Boiling Springs | Private | $33,440 | 61% | 13:1 | 66.7 |
| 18 | Johnson C. Smith University | Charlotte | Private | $19,776 | 44% | 12:1 | 64.2 |
| 19 | North Carolina Central University | Durham | Public | $6,631 | 51% | 16:1 | 62.8 |
| 20 | Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville | Public | $5,777 | 42% | 14:1 | 60.5 |
Duke University
Durham, NC • University
Program Highlights
- • 95% graduation rate - highest in North Carolina
- • Average starting salary: $108,000
- • 30+ faculty members with diverse research specializations
- • State-of-the-art LSRC building with modern computing facilities
Program Strengths
- World-class faculty including Turing Award winners and MacArthur Fellows
- Cutting-edge research in AI, machine learning, and computational biology
- Strong industry connections with Research Triangle companies
- Excellent graduate school placement rates (85% acceptance to top programs)
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate program
Why Ranked #1
Duke's computer science program combines rigorous academics with exceptional research opportunities in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and systems. The program benefits from small class sizes (6:1 student-faculty ratio) and strong industry partnerships throughout the Research Triangle.
Student Reviews
"The research opportunities at Duke are incredible. I worked on machine learning projects with world-renowned faculty and had multiple internship offers from top tech companies."
— CS Major, Class of 2024
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • University
Program Highlights
- • In-state tuition under $10,000 annually
- • Over 80% of students complete internships
- • Average starting salary: $85,000
- • Top 25 public CS program nationally
- • New $120 million engineering building opened in 2021
Program Strengths
- Strong industry partnerships with IBM, SAS, Red Hat, and Cisco
- Comprehensive co-op and internship programs
- Diverse specialization tracks including cybersecurity and data science
- Active participation in programming competitions and hackathons
- Excellent career services with 95%+ job placement rates
Why Ranked #2
NC State offers one of the nation's best values in computer science education, combining rigorous academics with direct industry partnerships. Located in the heart of Research Triangle Park, students have unparalleled access to internships and career opportunities at major tech companies.
Student Reviews
"The connections NC State has with local tech companies are amazing. I had internships at both SAS and Red Hat, which led to multiple full-time offers before graduation."
— CS Major, Class of 2024
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • University
Program Highlights
- • 91% graduation rate among public universities
- • In-state tuition under $9,000 annually
- • Top-ranked HCI and graphics research programs
- • Strong alumni network in academia and industry
- • Beautiful historic campus in college town setting
Program Strengths
- Renowned research in graphics, visualization, and human-computer interaction
- Strong theoretical computer science foundation
- Excellent graduate school preparation
- Active student organizations and competitive programming teams
- Interdisciplinary programs combining CS with other fields
Why Ranked #3
UNC's computer science program offers exceptional academic quality at an outstanding value. As part of the flagship UNC system, students benefit from renowned faculty, cutting-edge research opportunities, and strong alumni networks in technology and academia.
Student Reviews
"The computer graphics program at UNC is world-class. My professors were pioneers in the field, and the research opportunities helped me get into a top PhD program."
— CS Major, Class of 2023
North Carolina University Systems Overview
North Carolina's higher education landscape offers diverse pathways for computer science students through three main systems: the University of North Carolina system, North Carolina State University, and numerous private institutions.
The UNC System includes flagship programs at UNC Chapel Hill, specialized technical education at NC State, and regional options like UNC Charlotte and UNC Wilmington. Each campus offers unique strengths while maintaining affordable in-state tuition rates typically under $10,000 annually.
Private institutions like Duke University, Wake Forest, and Davidson College provide smaller class sizes and premium resources, though at significantly higher costs. These programs often excel in research opportunities and graduate school placement rates.
Community college pathways through the North Carolina Community College System allow students to complete foundational coursework affordably before transferring to four-year programs. This route can significantly reduce the total cost of a computer science education.
Research Triangle Park: North Carolina's Tech Hub
Research Triangle Park (RTP) is one of the largest and most successful research parks in the world, spanning over 7,000 acres and hosting more than 300 companies and organizations. For computer science students, this represents an unprecedented concentration of technology employers within driving distance of major universities.
Major tech employers in the Research Triangle include IBM (major operations center), SAS Institute (global headquarters), Red Hat (headquarters), Cisco Systems, Credit Suisse, and numerous startups and biotech companies leveraging computational technologies.
The proximity to these employers creates exceptional opportunities for internships, co-op programs, part-time work during school, and full-time employment after graduation. Many companies actively recruit from NC State, UNC, and Duke, offering competitive salaries in a region with lower living costs than traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley or Seattle.
Students interested in specific career paths should explore our guides on data scientist salaries, AI/ML engineer compensation, and cybersecurity analyst roles to understand the opportunities available in North Carolina's growing tech sector.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Design and develop applications, systems software, and web platforms for companies across the Research Triangle and Charlotte metro areas.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Analyze complex datasets for insights at major employers like SAS Institute, Credit Suisse, and pharmaceutical companies in the Research Triangle.
Cybersecurity Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect digital assets and infrastructure for financial services, healthcare systems, and government contractors throughout North Carolina.
AI/ML Engineer
SOC 15-1299Develop machine learning systems and artificial intelligence applications for research institutions, startups, and established tech companies.
Computer Science Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
North Carolina CS Program Cost Analysis
| Factor | Public In-State | Public Out-of-State | Private |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition | $8,200 | $28,500 | $45,600 |
| Room & Board | $11,800 | $11,800 | $13,200 |
| Total Annual Cost | $20,000 | $40,300 | $58,800 |
| 4-Year Total | $80,000 | $161,200 | $235,200 |
| Average Class Size | 45-60 students | 45-60 students | 15-25 students |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | 16:1 | 16:1 | 10:1 |
| Research Opportunities | Excellent | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Industry Connections | Strong | Strong | Very Strong |
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to major tech employers without Silicon Valley costs
- You value strong public university options at affordable prices
- You're interested in Research Triangle internship and career opportunities
- You prefer a lower cost of living compared to traditional tech hubs
- You want proximity to both mountains and coast for recreation
- You specifically want to work at FAANG companies (though many have NC offices)
- You need access to a larger startup ecosystem
- You prefer major urban centers like NYC, SF, or Seattle
- You want more specialized programs in emerging tech areas
- You need specific climate preferences (desert, tropical, etc.)
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina CS Programs
Related Computer Science Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official source for graduation rates, tuition, and enrollment data
State-specific salary and employment data for computer occupations
Economic development and industry data for Research Triangle region
Research expenditure data for university rankings
Job placement rates and starting salary information
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.