Research the best MBA programs in North Carolina by concentrations offered, how the MBA programs are offered (full-time, part-time, online, weekend and evenings), rankings by publication, cost of tuition, number of alumni, GMAT requirements and more.
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 45 MBA concentrations to specialize in.
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. You will find 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.
North Carolina has 30 Accredited MBA programs. There are 5 private and 15 public schools offering MBA programs.
Online Business Programs Liked by North Carolina MBA Graduates
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Research additional school detail on the school summary pages, in the tables and charts below and throughout the site.
MBA Program Comparisons: North Carolina vs Online vs U.S.
Compare MBA Programs Averages | North Carolina MBA Programs | Online MBA Programs | MBA Programs in the US |
---|---|---|---|
Average MBA Tuition | $28,883 | $28,263 | $32,512 |
Average GMAT Scores | 544 | 530 | 543 |
Average Full-Time MBA Faculty | 65 | 65 | 63 |
Average MBA Student Faculty Ratio | 76:25 | 249:100 | 129:50 |
Average # of MBA Faculty with Doctorate | 84.11% | 83.44% | 83.98% |
Average Full-Time MBA Enrollment | 269 | 145 | 184 |
Average Part-Time MBA Enrollment | 237 | 360 | 300 |
Average % of MBA Students from U.S. | 84% | 76% | 75% |
Rankings 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:
Publications and the number of awards granted for North Carolina schools:
Salaries for MBA Graduates 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.
In-Person
- 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
Online
- 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
10 Highest Salaries for MBA Graduates in North Carolina
- Duke University - $121,283.00
- Meredith College - $112,012.00
- North Carolina State University - $108,969.00
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - $104,649.00
- Wake Forest University - $96,133.00
- Fayetteville State University - $92,432.00
- Elon University - $89,694.00
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte - $83,000.00
- The University of North Carolina at Pembroke - $82,500.00
- North Carolina Central University - $82,500.00
10 Lowest Salaries for MBA Graduates in North Carolina
- North Carolina A&T State University - $48,800.00
- Appalachian State University - $55,500.00
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro - $58,783.00
- East Carolina University - $64,364.00
- Western Carolina University - $68,996.00
- Winston-Salem State University - $73,500.00
- Queens University of Charlotte - $80,600.00
- The University of North Carolina at Pembroke - $82,500.00
- North Carolina Central University - $82,500.00
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte - $83,000.00
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 $28,883, the least expensive MBA program is $6,900 from Fayetteville State University, and the most expensive is $102,404 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
An Online MBA program from an institution in North Carolina will cost you between $6,900 from Fayetteville State University and $102,404 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The average cost of online MBA programs within North Carolina is $28,374.
In-Person
- Average: $28,883 from North Carolina's 20 in-person MBA Programs
- Lowest in-person: $6,900 from Fayetteville State University
- Highest in-person: $102,404 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Online
- Average: $28,374 from North Carolina's 9 online MBA Programs
- Lowest online: $6,900 from Fayetteville State University
- Highest online: $102,404 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
10 Most Expensive MBAs in North Carolina
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - $102,404.00
- Duke University - $70,000.00
- Wake Forest University - $56,722.00
- Elon University - $37,921.00
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte - $26,556.00
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro - $25,308.00
- The University of North Carolina at Asheville - $24,592.00
- North Carolina State University - $23,220.00
- North Carolina Central University - $22,844.00
- Western Carolina University - $21,890.00
10 Least Expensive MBAs in North Carolina
- Fayetteville State University - $6,900.00
- Appalachian State University - $7,259.00
- North Carolina A&T State University - $9,490.00
- Elizabeth City State University - $9,876.00
- The University of North Carolina at Pembroke - $9,972.00
- University of North Carolina Wilmington - $15,855.00
- East Carolina University - $20,196.00
- Western Carolina University - $21,890.00
- North Carolina Central University - $22,844.00
- North Carolina State University - $23,220.00
GMAT Scores Needed for MBA Programs 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.
In-Person
- 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
Online
- 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
10 Highest GMAT Scores in North Carolina
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - 653
- Duke University - 649
- North Carolina State University - 625
- Wake Forest University - 610
- North Carolina A&T State University - 601
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro - 570
- Elon University - 557
- University of North Carolina Wilmington - 555
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte - 550
- Appalachian State University - 542
10 Lowest GMAT Scores in North Carolina
- The University of North Carolina at Pembroke - 435
- Winston-Salem State University - 450
- Western Carolina University - 470
- Fayetteville State University - 475
- North Carolina Central University - 480
- Meredith College - 510
- East Carolina University - 520
- Queens University of Charlotte - 538
- Appalachian State University - 542
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte - 550
Student Enrollment for North Carolina MBA Programs
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 27 and 701.
In Person
- Lowest: 2 from Winston-Salem State University
- Highest: 1,920 from Duke University
- Average: 269 from North Carolina's 30 MBA Programs.
- Average: 186 from 876 the nation's campus MBA Programs.
Online
- Lowest: 22 from Western Carolina University
- Highest: 523 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Average: 192 from North Carolina's 9 MBA Programs.
- Average: 145 from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.
10 Schools with the Highest Student Enrollment in North Carolina
- Duke University - 1,920
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - 523
- Wake Forest University - 396
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte - 326
- The University of North Carolina at Pembroke - 243
- North Carolina A&T State University - 193
- North Carolina State University - 91
- University of North Carolina Wilmington - 77
- East Carolina University - 64
- Appalachian State University - 59
10 Schools with the Lowest Student Enrollment in North Carolina
- Winston-Salem State University - 2
- Western Carolina University - 22
- Meredith College - 26
- Elon University - 46
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro - 47
- Appalachian State University - 59
- East Carolina University - 64
- University of North Carolina Wilmington - 77
- North Carolina State University - 91
- North Carolina A&T State University - 193
Percent of Global MBA Student Population
The MBA programs in the United States are coveted around the world and attract a healthy percentage of global students each year. A culturally diverse student population is especially important in an ever-changing global economy. With increasing globalization, a well diversified student body from outside the United States can provide much needed global world-view as well as valuable networking opportunities.
In North Carolina the percentage of students from the United States varies from a low of 71% to a high of 100%.
For online programs in North Carolina the percentage of students from the United States varies from a low of 78% to a high of 78%.
In Person
- Lowest: 71% from Duke University
- Highest: 100% from Winston-Salem State University
- Average: 84% from North Carolina's 20 in-person MBA Programs.
- Average: 75% from 590 nation's in-person MBA Programs.
Online
- Lowest: 78% from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Highest: 78% from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Average: 78% from North Carolina's 9 online MBA Programs.
- Average: 76% from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.
MBA Concentrations Available from MBA Programs 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 45 MBA concentrations including:
- Accounting: 21
- Finance: 21
- General Business: 20
- Management: 19
- Marketing: 19
- Entrepreneurship: 17
- Economics: 17
- Information Systems: 17
- Supply Chain: 16
- International Business: 14
Here are the top schools offering the widest variety of concentrations to choose from:
- Duke University: 27
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte: 25
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 23
- Fayetteville State University: 21
- East Carolina University: 20
- Western Carolina University: 19
- Wake Forest University: 19
- Meredith College: 18
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro: 17
- Elon University: 17
Student / Faculty Ratio for MBA Programs in North Carolina
Quality MBA programs invest in the number of professors relative to the students attending the program. Commonly known as the Student Faculty ratio. Generally, the lower the ratio, the better it is for students. MBA students will get the personalized one-on-one attention from faculty mentors that have extensive experience in the industry. The Student/Faculty metric is a matter of personal preference and for those students who excel in lecture hall environments, you may not need the low student/faculty ratio.
In North Carolina the student faculty ratio for MBA programs ranges from the lowest (best) of 3:50 the highest (less desirable) of 317:25. For online MBA programs thee student faculty ratio for MBA programs ranges from the lowest (best) of 2:5 the highest (less desirable) of 577:100.
In Person
- Lowest: 3:50 from Winston-Salem State University
- Highest: 317:25 from Duke University
- Average: 76:25 from North Carolina's 20 MBA Programs.
- Average: 129:50 from 590 the nation's campus MBA Programs.
Online
- Lowest: 2:5 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Highest: 577:100 from University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- Average: 177:100 from North Carolina's 9 MBA Programs.
- Average: 249:100 from 324 nation's online MBA Programs.
10 Programs with the Highest Student Faculty Ratio
- Duke University - 317:25
- Wake Forest University - 411:50
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte - 577:100
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro - 311:100
- East Carolina University - 173:100
- Appalachian State University - 61:50
- North Carolina State University - 6:5
- University of North Carolina Wilmington - 21:25
- Western Carolina University - 7:10
- North Carolina A&T State University - 3:5
10 Programs with the Lowest Student Faculty Ratio
- Winston-Salem State University - 3:50
- The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - 2:5
- North Carolina A&T State University - 3:5
- Western Carolina University - 7:10
- University of North Carolina Wilmington - 21:25
- North Carolina State University - 6:5
- Appalachian State University - 61:50
- East Carolina University - 173:100
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro - 311:100
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte - 577:100
Full-Time Faculty
Highly competitive MBA schools recruit part-time and full-time professors that are both academics and industry influencers. They are the subject matter experts in their respective field. Most business professors have experienced success in the corporate world and have written extensively in their chosen field. The number of highly-qualified full-time faculty is directly related to the reputation of most elite MBA programs.
The number of full-time faculty for MBA programs in North Carolina ranges from a low of 10 professors to a high or 117.
- Lowest: 10 from The University of North Carolina at Asheville
- Highest: 117 from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Average: 65 from North Carolina's 30 MBA Programs
- Average: 65 from 324 Online MBA Programs
Percent of Faculty with a PhD
Another high-level perspective to consider when determining the quality of an MBA faculty is to note the number of faculty who have earned a PhD in their respective area of excellence. Note to writer - create a fuller amount of content for this section.
In North Carolina MBA programs range from 66.70% of the faculty having a PhD to a 100.00% of the MBA faculty having a PhD.
- Lowest: 67% from Queens University of Charlotte
- Highest: 100% from Elizabeth City State University
- Average: 84% from North Carolina's 30 MBA Programs
- Average: 83% from 324 Online MBA Programs
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 in North Carolina with Accredited MBA Programs
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. The following is a list of cities in North Carolina with accredited MBA programs: Asheville, Boone, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Cullowhee, Durham, Elizabeth City, Elon, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Pembroke, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem.
Table of Best Ranked MBA Programs in North Carolina
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