2025 Best MBA Programs in North Carolina

Compare MBA Program Averages in 2025
North Carolina, the U.S. and Online

Averages	North Carolina MBA Programs	Online MBA Programs	MBA Programs Nationwide
Average MBA Tuition	$43,443	$37,176	$42,639
Average Graduate Salary	$80,629	$79,354	$83,011
Average ROI	207%	196%	185%
Average GMAT Scores	563	561	567

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 $43,443, the least expensive MBA program is $9,790 from North Carolina A&T State University, and the most expensive is $157,546 from Duke University.

An Online MBA program from an institution in North Carolina will cost you between $9,790 from North Carolina A&T State University and $157,546 from Duke University. The average cost of online MBA programs within North Carolina is $46,189.

Average Tuition for In-Person MBA Programs

Average: $45,541 from North Carolina’s 15 in-person MBA Programs
Lowest in-person: $9,790 from North Carolina A&T State University
Highest in-person: $157,546 from Duke University

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 $80,629, the lowest average MBA starting salary is $44,100 from Western Carolina University, and the highest average MBA starting salary is $152,297 from Duke University.

The average starting salary for graduates of an Online MBA program from an institution in North Carolina is between $44,100 from Western Carolina University and $152,297 from Duke University. The average starting MBA salary for graduates of online MBA programs within North Carolina is $81,921.

Average Graduate Salaries for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: $84,579 from North Carolina’s 15 In-Person MBA Programs
• Lowest In-Person: $44,100 from Western Carolina University
• Highest In-Person:$152,297 from Duke University

What is the Average 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 207%, the lowest ROI is -3% from Wake Forest University, and the best ROI is 996% from North Carolina A&T State University.

The ROI from Online MBA programs in North Carolina range between -3% from Wake Forest University and 996% from North Carolina A&T State University. The average ROI of online MBA programs within North Carolina is 218%.

In-Person ROI for MBA Programs

• Average: 189% from North Carolina’s 15 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: -3% from Wake Forest University
• Highest in-person: 996% from North Carolina A&T 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 563, 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 718 from Duke University.

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 718 from Duke University. The average GMAT scored for online MBA programs within North Carolina is 570.

Average GMAT Score for In-Person MBA Programs

• Average: 577 from North Carolina’s 15 in-person MBA Programs
• Lowest in-person: 435 from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
• Highest in-person: 718 from Duke University

No GMAT or GRE – Best MBA Programs in North Carolina

MBA Schools with the Most Alumni 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 33 and 2,019. For part-time enrollment, the range is between : 39.00 and : 583.00.

Average Enrollment for In-Person MBA Programs

• Lowest: 33 from Queens University of Charlotte
• Highest: 2,019 from Duke University
• Average: 349 from North Carolina’s 17 MBA Programs.
• Average: 296 from 511 the nation’s campus 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 36 MBA concentrations including:

• General Business: 16
• Management: 13
• Accounting: 12
• Finance: 11
• Marketing: 10
• Supply Chain: 9
• Entrepreneurship: 9
• Corporate Finance: 9
• Data Analytics: 8
• Other: 8

What Schools Offer the Widest Variety of MBA Concentrations in North Carolina?

• The University of North Carolina at Greensboro: 19
• Appalachian State University: 18
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte: 18
• Elon University: 14
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 14
• Western Carolina University: 13
• East Carolina University: 12
• North Carolina State University: 10
• Wake Forest University: 10
• Queens University of Charlotte: 9

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.

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

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.

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 17 Accredited MBA programs. 1 private and 12 public schools offering MBA programs.

North Carolina has 12 public schools and 1 private schools offering MBA degree programs.

17 Accredited MBA programs.  and 12 public schools offering MBA programs.

North Carolina schools offer 10 different paths to earn your MBA in North Carolina including Full-Time, Campus, Online, Evenings, Weekends, Part-Time, Distance Education, 1-Year, Partnership and Off Campus.

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 36 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 17 accredited MBA programs offered in North Carolina, 16 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 32 Best MBA awards from publications. Here are the top MBA schools and the number of awards the each program has garnered:

• Duke University: 7
• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: 7
• North Carolina State University: 5
• Wake Forest University: 1
• Queens University of Charlotte: 1
• University of North Carolina Wilmington: 1
• Meredith College: 1
• Fayetteville State University: 1
• Elon 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
• North Carolina A&T State University: 1

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

• MBAGuide: 16
• US News: 3
• BW: 3
• Economist: 3
• Forbes: 2
• FT: 2

How We Rank the Best MBA Programs in North Carolina

MBAGuide.org employs a comprehensive ranking methodology that combines quantitative data (80% of the score) with qualitative assessments (20%) to evaluate MBA programs. The quantitative component considers factors such as student-faculty ratio, tuition, enrollment, and post-graduation salaries, while the qualitative aspect incorporates editorial ratings and school reputation, providing a well-rounded view of each program’s quality and value.

Data sources: IPEDS, National Center of Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (ERIC), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), 520 MBA Schools, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). If you notice errors in the MBA program database, please contact us.

Find: MBA Programs in North Carolina | Online MBA Programs in North Carolina Rankings: MBA Program Rankings | Online MBA Program Rankings Guides: Guide to Earning an Online MBA | Guide to Earning an MBA Concentrations: Online MBA Concentrations | Campus MBA Concentrations