2023 Best MBA Programs in North Carolina

Compare MBA Degrees in North Carolina for 2023

Key Highlights:

• • Comprehensive comparisons and data about tuition fees, average starting salaries, GMAT scores, and enrollment statistics for MBA programs in North Carolina.

• • Detailed profiles of both online and on-campus MBA programs in North Carolina, their strengths, unique specializations, faculty expertise, and alumni networks are included to help align your study choice with your career ambitions.

• • Insights into North Carolina's diverse economic sectors, demonstrating how an MBA degree serves as a potent tool in these industries.

North Carolina has a diverse economy that includes industries like finance, pharmaceuticals, technology, and food processing, among others. This variety makes it an ideal location for prospective MBA students with a wide range of interests and career aspirations.

Finance is a significant sector in North Carolina, especially in Charlotte, known as the second-largest banking center in the United States after New York. MBA students with a concentration in finance can benefit from numerous career opportunities in this field.

The state's Research Triangle Park is one of the largest research parks in the world, hosting over 200 companies. This makes North Carolina an excellent destination for MBA students specializing in innovation management or entrepreneurship.

North Carolina's food processing industry, particularly the processing of poultry and other livestock, is another area where MBA students specializing in supply chain management or operations could find substantial opportunities.

In the technology sector, North Carolina is home to a thriving scene of startups and tech companies. An MBA with a concentration in information systems or tech entrepreneurship could provide valuable opportunities in this area.

Compare MBA Program Averages Across

North Carolina, the U.S. and Online

Table of Best Ranked MBA Programs in North Carolina

What is the Average Graduate MBA Salary in North Carolina?

While the average starting salary for graduates of an in-person MBA program in North Carolina is about $83,748, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $48,800 from North Carolina A&T State University, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $121,283 from Duke University.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in North Carolina is between $64,364 from East Carolina University and $108,969 from North Carolina State University. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within North Carolina is $85,689.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $83,748 from North Carolina's 20 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $48,800 from North Carolina A&T State University
• Highest In-Person:$121,283 from Duke University

Average Graduate Salaries for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $85,689 from North Carolina's 9 Online MBA Programs
• Lowest Online: $64,364 from East Carolina University
• Highest Online: $108,969 from North Carolina State University

What is the Average Tuition for MBA Programs in North Carolina?
If you plan on attending an MBA program, it's best to start thinking about fiscal responsibility. A prospective B-Student needs to weigh their tuition options. An AACSB-accredited MBA program can pave the way for a great starting salary or career advancement. An online MBA program can provide the flexibility of completing a program while being employed in your respective career.

While the average in-person MBA program in North Carolina will cost about $36,435, the least expensive MBA program is $6,900 from Fayetteville State University, and the most expensive is $145,253 from Duke University.

An Online MBA program from an institution in North Carolina will cost you between $6,900 from Fayetteville State University and $103,116 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The average cost of online MBA programs within North Carolina is $31,436.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $36,430 from North Carolina's 20 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: $6,900 from Fayetteville State University
• Highest in-person: $145,253 from Duke University

Average Tuition for Online MBA Programs

• Average: $31,436 from North Carolina's 9 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: $6,900 from Fayetteville State University
• Highest online: $103,116 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

What is the ROI for MBA Programs in North Carolina?

Choosing an MBA program requires more than a glance at the school's reputation or curriculum. The return on investment (ROI) should take center stage in your evaluation. This measurement reveals the potential value derived from your tuition investment, putting key factors such as starting salary and career progression under the microscope.

By scrutinizing the ROI, you're not just making a decision—you're making an informed one. This approach will ensure the selection of an MBA program that provides the most bang for your buck. Checking the ROI might not be an afterthought; it could be the game-changer in your MBA journey.

While the average in-person MBA program ROI from North Carolina is 178%, the lowest ROI is 42% from Duke University, and the best ROI is 670% from Fayetteville State University.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in North Carolina range between 51% from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and 670% from Fayetteville State University. The average ROI of online MBA programs within North Carolina is 243%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 178% from North Carolina's 20 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 42% from Duke University
• Highest in-person: 670% from Fayetteville State University

Online ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 243% from North Carolina's 9 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 51% from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Highest online: 670% from Fayetteville State University

What is the Average GMAT Score Needed for an MBA Program in North Carolina?

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized examination used by MBA schools to assess their applicant pool. The test is strategically designed to measure an applicant’s analytical, verbal, writing and mathematical skills. The GMAT is used as a predictor of success in MBA programs and tests one’s ability to successfully handle the advanced quantitative and qualitative study of business and management.

While the average GMAT score needed for in-person MBA program in North Carolina is 544, the lowest average GMAT score is for an MBA program is 435 from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and the highest GMAT score needed is 653 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The average GMAT score needed for an online MBA program from an institution in North Carolina is between 435 from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke to 653 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within North Carolina is 536.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 544 from North Carolina's 20 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 435 from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
• Highest in-person: 653 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Average GMAT Score for Online MBA Programs

• Average: 536 from North Carolina's 9 online MBA Programs
• Lowest online: 435 from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
• Highest online: 653 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Which MBA Schools Have the Highest Student Enrollment in North Carolina?

The importance of networking, whether it's by way of campus job fairs, student organization members, or faculty mentorship, should not be understated. The average MBA enrollment size has a direct impact on your studies, your job prospects, and your ability to define your career goals.

Every B-School has a strategy behind their enrollment sizes. If a prospective B-Student is looking for networking opportunities, wants to attend job fairs, and plans on joining student organizations, B-School enrollment size plays an important role in the decision making process. For the B-Student interested in the smaller cohort-style classroom experience and thrive with face-to-face collaboration with their professors, a manageable enrollment size is the preferred option.

For North Carolina state's MBA programs, the range for full-time enrollment is between 2 and 1,920. For part-time enrollment, the range is between 19 and 701.

Average Enrollment for Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 2 from Winston-Salem State University
• Highest: 1,920 from Duke University
• Average: 292 from North Carolina's 30 MBA Programs.
• Average: 243 from 879 the nation's campus MBA Programs.

Average Enrollment for Score for Online MBA Programs

• Lowest: 68 from Western Carolina University
• Highest: 523 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Average: 234 from North Carolina's 9 MBA Programs.
• Average: 201 from 327 nation's online MBA Programs.

What MBA Concentrations Available in North Carolina?

Highly competitive B-Schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academic and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective concentrations. To meet the diverse needs of North Carolina businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 42 MBA concentrations including:

• Finance: 23
• Marketing: 21
• Accounting: 21
• General Business: 18
• Management: 18
• Information Systems: 16
• International Business: 15
• Entrepreneurship: 13
• Economics: 12
• Supply Chain: 11

Here are the top schools offering the widest variety of concentrations to choose from:

• Elon University: 23
• The University of North Carolina at Pembroke: 18
• Elizabeth City State University: 17
• Wake Forest University: 17
• North Carolina State University: 15
• Meredith College: 15
• Appalachian State University: 14
• North Carolina A&T State University: 13
• Queens University of Charlotte: 13
• Western Carolina University: 12

The Importance of MBA Accreditation

The importance of accreditation can't be underestimated. For many, knowing your school is accredited by the AACSB and regionally accredited by the US Department of Education is enough assurance that you will receive a quality education, where credits are more likely to transfer, and you will be qualified for loans, grants, and scholarships.

AACSB accreditation is considered to be the gold standard in business school credentialing. Established to promote high-quality business education in the U.S., AACSB members developed a stringent accreditation process. Members are held accountable for following an established business education framework set forth by the AACSB. With that comes MBA degrees conferrals that are widely recognized by Fortune 500 companies. This results in lucrative job opportunities.

Cities Offering MBA Programs in North Carolina

Looking for a particular city in North Carolina with an accredited MBA program? Research and compare MBA programs from other cities in North Carolina. Find online programs, programs by concentration, by average GMAT score and more.

• Asheville
• Boone
• Chapel Hill
• Charlotte
• Cullowhee
• Durham
• Elizabeth City
• Elon
• Fayetteville
• Greensboro
• Greenville
• Pembroke
• Raleigh
• Wilmington
• Winston-Salem

MBA Program Options Available in North Carolina

Options for earning your MBA in North Carolina have never been more flexible. North Carolina MBA programs have become adept at offering effective alternatives for you to earn your MBA, no matter your life situation or schedule.

North Carolina has 30 Accredited MBA programs. 5 private and 15 public schools offering MBA programs.

North Carolina has 15 public schools and 5 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

30 Accredited MBA programs.  and 15 public schools offering MBA programs.

North Carolina schools offer 9 different paths to earn your MBA in North Carolina including Online, Campus, Full-Time, 1-Year, Distance Education, Evenings and Weekends, Off Campus, Part-Time and Partnership.

To meet the diverse needs of North Carolina businesses, MBA programs here have risen to the challenge by offering you an array of more than 42 MBA concentrations to specialize in.

Awards for MBA Programs in North Carolina

The ranking of MBA programs is certainly not an exact science and plenty of subjective reasoning and biases come into play. We offer insights into ranking as another way to evaluate a potential MBA program.

Of the 30 accredited MBA programs offered in North Carolina, 19 of them have been recognized by at least one distinguished publication (MBAGuide, PQ, US News, BW, Economist, Forbes and FT) garnering an award as one of the best MBA programs in the country.

North Carolina schools have earned a total of 35 Best MBA awards from publications. Here are the top MBA schools and the number of awards the each program has garnered:

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 7
• Duke University: 7
• North Carolina State University: 5
• Fayetteville State University: 1
• Winston-Salem State University: 1
• Wake Forest University: 1
• Queens University of Charlotte: 1
• University of North Carolina Wilmington: 1
• The University of North Carolina at Asheville: 1
• Meredith College: 1
• Elizabeth City State University: 1
• East Carolina University: 1
• The University of North Carolina at Pembroke: 1
• Western Carolina University: 1
• Appalachian State University: 1
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte: 1
• The University of North Carolina at Greensboro: 1
• Elon University: 1
• North Carolina A&T State University: 1

Publications and the number of awards granted for North Carolina schools:

• MBAGuide: 19
• US News: 3
• BW: 3
• Economist: 3
• Forbes: 2
• FT: 2