Top 3 Information Technology Programs in North Carolina 2025
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Leading public IT program with strong connections to Research Triangle Park tech companies and 92% job placement rate
North Carolina State University
Comprehensive IT program with excellent cybersecurity focus and direct pipeline to Red Hat, IBM, and SAS Institute
Duke University
Elite private program with 6:1 student-faculty ratio and highest starting salaries in the state at $78,000
- 1.North Carolina has 35+ accredited Information Technology bachelor's programs across UNC system, private universities, and community colleges
- 2.UNC Chapel Hill leads with 91% graduation rate and strong Research Triangle Park industry connections
- 3.NC State offers excellent value at $9,101 in-state tuition with specialized cybersecurity and network administration tracks
- 4.North Carolina IT professionals earn median $89,240 annually—10% above national median with lower cost of living
- 5.Research Triangle Park, Charlotte, and Greensboro provide 89,000+ technology jobs with companies like Red Hat, IBM, SAS, and Bank of America
Information Technology Education in North Carolina
North Carolina has emerged as a major technology hub, anchored by the Research Triangle Park—one of the largest research parks in the world. This growth has created strong demand for IT professionals and excellent educational opportunities across the state's university systems.
The state offers diverse IT education options from the prestigious UNC Chapel Hill program to practical community college pathways. For national perspective, see our national IT bachelor's rankings. Budget-conscious students should explore our most affordable IT programs guide, while career-focused students can review IT salary data for North Carolina opportunities.
North Carolina's technology sector spans from fintech in Charlotte to software development in the Triangle, creating opportunities across cybersecurity, data science, and software engineering disciplines.
Based on 20 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OEWS North Carolina May 2024, NC Dept of Commerce
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Class size and individual attention
North Carolina-specific salaries from BLS OEWS
Internships and employer partnerships
Complete North Carolina IT Program Rankings 2025
| Rank | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill | Public | $7,019 | 91% | 13:1 | 94.8 |
| 2 | North Carolina State University | Raleigh | Public | $9,101 | 85% | 14:1 | 92.1 |
| 3 | Duke University | Durham | Private | $63,054 | 95% | 6:1 | 91.7 |
| 4 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte | Public | $7,042 | 74% | 20:1 | 89.3 |
| 5 | Wake Forest University | Winston-Salem | Private | $62,128 | 89% | 10:1 | 88.5 |
| 6 | Appalachian State University | Boone | Public | $7,410 | 74% | 16:1 | 86.9 |
| 7 | East Carolina University | Greenville | Public | $7,239 | 67% | 18:1 | 84.2 |
| 8 | Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | Public | $7,460 | 64% | 16:1 | 82.8 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina at Wilmington | Wilmington | Public | $7,227 | 74% | 17:1 | 82.1 |
| 10 | NC Agricultural and Technical State University | Greensboro | Public | $6,754 | 53% | 19:1 | 79.5 |
| 11 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro | Public | $7,331 | 56% | 18:1 | 78.3 |
| 12 | Campbell University | Buies Creek | Private | $37,110 | 65% | 13:1 | 77.1 |
| 13 | Johnson & Wales University | Charlotte | Private | $33,006 | 54% | 17:1 | 75.8 |
| 14 | Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory | Private | $38,450 | 62% | 11:1 | 74.9 |
| 15 | Fayetteville State University | Fayetteville | Public | $5,477 | 41% | 16:1 | 72.4 |
| 16 | Elizabeth City State University | Elizabeth City | Public | $5,215 | 35% | 15:1 | 70.2 |
| 17 | Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem | Public | $5,830 | 43% | 15:1 | 69.8 |
| 18 | North Carolina Central University | Durham | Public | $6,804 | 51% | 17:1 | 68.5 |
| 19 | University of Mount Olive | Mount Olive | Private | $23,300 | 45% | 16:1 | 67.3 |
| 20 | Pfeiffer University | Misenheimer | Private | $32,270 | 48% | 12:1 | 66.1 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • University
Program Highlights
- • 92% job placement rate within 6 months of graduation
- • Average starting salary of $65,000 for recent graduates
- • 15+ industry partnerships for internships and co-ops
- • Modern labs with enterprise-grade networking equipment
Program Strengths
- 91% graduation rate—highest among public universities in NC
- Direct recruiting relationships with IBM, SAS Institute, and Red Hat
- Comprehensive cybersecurity and data analytics concentrations
- Strong alumni network throughout Research Triangle Park
- Excellent value at $7,019 annual in-state tuition
Why Ranked #1
UNC Chapel Hill leads North Carolina IT programs with exceptional graduation rates, strong industry partnerships, and direct access to Research Triangle Park opportunities. The program combines theoretical foundations with practical skills development.
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • University
Program Highlights
- • Direct pipeline to Red Hat, IBM, and Cisco
- • 85% of students complete internships before graduation
- • State-of-the-art cybersecurity operations center
- • Average mid-career salary of $95,000
Program Strengths
- Leading cybersecurity program with NSA designation
- Extensive hands-on lab facilities and enterprise partnerships
- Strong placement rates with major Triangle employers
- Active student organizations and competition teams
- Affordable tuition with excellent return on investment
Why Ranked #2
NC State offers one of the most comprehensive IT programs in the Southeast with particular strength in cybersecurity and systems administration. Located in the heart of Research Triangle Park, students have unmatched internship opportunities.
Duke University
Durham, NC • University
Program Highlights
- • Average starting salary of $78,000
- • 98% job placement rate within 3 months
- • Access to Duke's extensive alumni network
- • Small cohort size promotes collaboration
Program Strengths
- 6:1 student-faculty ratio ensures individual attention
- 95% graduation rate—highest in the state
- Extensive research opportunities with world-class faculty
- Strong connections to Durham's growing tech sector
- Highest starting salaries among NC IT programs
Why Ranked #3
Duke's IT program offers the prestige of an elite private university with exceptional resources and small class sizes. While expensive, the program delivers outstanding outcomes and networking opportunities.
North Carolina University Systems and IT Education
North Carolina's public university system provides excellent IT education options at affordable prices. The University of North Carolina system includes 16 campuses, with UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, and UNC Charlotte offering the strongest IT programs.
The UNC system benefits from state funding and Research Triangle Park partnerships, creating pathways from education to employment. Students can transfer between UNC campuses and often complete their first two years at community colleges through the North Carolina Comprehensive Articulation Agreement.
- UNC Chapel Hill: Premier research university with top-tier IT program
- NC State: Engineering-focused with strong cybersecurity emphasis
- UNC Charlotte: Urban campus with excellent industry connections
- Appalachian State: Mountain campus with growing tech program
- East Carolina: Strong regional program serving eastern NC
Private universities like Duke and Wake Forest offer smaller classes and extensive resources, while regional universities provide affordable options for students seeking practical IT skills. Many programs offer online and evening options for working professionals.
Career Paths
Network Administrator
SOC 15-1244Manage and maintain computer networks for organizations across Research Triangle Park and Charlotte
Information Security Analyst
SOC 15-1212Protect organizational data and systems, with strong demand in banking and healthcare sectors
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1243Design and maintain database systems for major corporations and government agencies
Systems Administrator
SOC 15-1245Install, configure, and maintain computer systems and servers
IT Project Manager
SOC 11-3021Lead technology implementation projects across diverse industries
Web Developer
SOC 15-1254Create and maintain websites and web applications for businesses and organizations
Source: NC Department of Commerce 2024
IT Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Illinois
Pennsylvania
Massachusetts
Georgia
Virginia
| Factor | In-State Public | Out-of-State Public | Private |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Tuition | $7,200 | $22,800 | $41,500 |
| Graduation Rate | 68% | 68% | 74% |
| Class Size | Medium (16:1) | Medium (16:1) | Small (11:1) |
| Research Opportunities | Good | Good | Excellent |
| Industry Connections | Strong | Strong | Very Strong |
| Financial Aid | Good | Limited | Excellent |
Which Should You Choose?
- Access to Research Triangle Park tech opportunities
- Affordable in-state tuition at quality public universities
- Strong job market with 15% projected IT growth
- Lower cost of living compared to California or New York
- Proximity to major employers like Red Hat, SAS, and IBM
- Mild climate and outdoor recreation opportunities
- Strong community college transfer pathways
- Maximum salary potential (California, New York pay more)
- Larger tech ecosystems with more startup opportunities
- Specialized programs in emerging technologies
- Major tech company headquarters (Google, Apple, Microsoft)
- More diverse industry sectors beyond fintech and enterprise
- Extensive public transportation systems
- International tech hub exposure
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina IT Programs
Related Information Technology Resources
Data Sources and Methodology
Official graduation rates, tuition, and enrollment data
State-specific salary and employment data
State economic development and employment statistics
Regional employer and industry 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.