by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking for a college that has your back, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 150 institutions for veteran and military-affiliated students in North Carolina, using our 2026 methodology.
This ranking is based on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. To arm you with the information you need, College Factual reviewed 150 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Your ideal fit depends on your goals and benefits. Drill down by location, or explore our other rankings below.
Ready to build your own comparison? Check out College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter most to you.
Here are the top-ranked colleges for veterans:
Our analysis found University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to be the #1 college for veterans in North Carolina. The school's overall veterans score is 92.6 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
A rank of #2 makes North Carolina State University at Raleigh one of the best colleges for veterans in North Carolina. The school's overall veterans score is 84.4 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Veteran and military students will find strong support at Appalachian State University, which ranked #3 this year. The school's overall veterans score is 82.2 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Veteran and military students will find strong support at Wake Technical Community College, which ranked #4 this year. Wake Technical Community College scores 81.6 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Veteran and military students will find strong support at East Carolina University, which ranked #5 this year. East Carolina University scores 80.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 100.0.
Carolina College of Biblical Studies landed the #6 spot in North Carolina this year. It scores 78.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Alamance Community College landed the #7 spot in North Carolina this year. It scores 78.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
North Carolina Central University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. The school's overall veterans score is 78.0 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
MyComputerCareer at Raleigh earned the #9 position in North Carolina. MyComputerCareer at Raleigh scores 77.9 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Winston-Salem State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. It scores 77.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro placed #11 among the best colleges for veterans in North Carolina. University of North Carolina at Greensboro scores 77.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #12 spot in North Carolina this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 75.5 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance - Charlotte placed #13 among the best colleges for veterans in North Carolina. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 75.0 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Sampson Community College earned the #14 position in North Carolina. The school's overall veterans score is 74.9 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #15 among the best colleges for veterans in North Carolina. The school's overall veterans score is 74.5 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte placed #16 among the best colleges for veterans in North Carolina. University of North Carolina at Charlotte scores 74.4 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Guilford Technical Community College earned the #17 position in North Carolina. It scores 74.3 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of North Carolina Wilmington placed #18 among the best colleges for veterans in North Carolina. The school's overall veterans score is 73.9 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Catawba Valley Community College earned the #19 position in North Carolina. Catawba Valley Community College scores 73.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Richmond Community College earned the #20 position in North Carolina. The school's overall veterans score is 73.8 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
University of North Carolina School of the Arts came in at #21 in this year's ranking. The school's overall veterans score is 73.3 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3.
Mitchell Community College earned the #22 position in North Carolina. Mitchell Community College scores 72.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3.
Fayetteville State University placed #23 among the best colleges for veterans in North Carolina. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 71.4 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
North Carolina A & T State University earned the #24 position in North Carolina. It scores 71.4 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke placed #25 among the best colleges for veterans in North Carolina. The school's overall veterans score is 71.0 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
