North Carolina Beach has over 70 miles of coastline and there are plenty of colleges in North Carolina near the beach to choose from.
If you’re looking to learn more about these coastline colleges, look no further!
In this article, we have compiled our top 10 picks (in no particular order) and also listed some of the top community colleges in North Carolina as a bonus tip.
List of the best colleges in North Carolina Near the beach
- Coastal Carolina Community College
- Brunswick Community College
- Catawba College
- Southeastern Community College
- Meredith College
- Andrews University
- The University of North Carolina Wilmington
- Carteret Community College
- Pamlico Community College
- North Carolina State University
Coastal Carolina Community College
Coastal Carolina Community College is one of the community colleges in North Carolina near the beach.
This college offers both undergraduate and graduates degrees as well as professional development programs.
Class sizes are small for an intimate learning experience, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 15:1. Learning centers also offer extended hours for night owls.
Brunswick Community College
For students looking for more of a traditional college experience, Brunswick Community College has a beautiful campus right on Wrightsville Beach.
The campus is designed with students’ needs in mind and offers many fun activities and organizations, as well as classes that can help you achieve your goals.
The school places great emphasis on teaching you how to learn as opposed to just knowing content—the instructors really care about your learning.
You’ll also find there are plenty of opportunities for volunteering or internship experience here.
Catawba College
Catawba College was established as a women’s college in 1851, today offers both men’s and women’s sports teams.
Students can choose from over 40 majors while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.
Community members can take advantage of programs like Early Childhood Development.
As one of the best community colleges in North Carolina near the beach communities, Catawba College is committed to training students for careers that promote global citizenship and personal well-being.
Southeastern Community College
Southeastern Community College is one of two public community colleges in North Carolina.
For its size, it is one of five community colleges rated as a Best Buy by Education Trust-West.
Students will find a variety of degree programs to fit their needs, including:
- Mechanical engineering and
- Biotechnology
The athletics department offers students an opportunity to compete with other schools on a national level.
There are more than 500 registered student organizations for students to get involved with and enjoy some extra-curricular fun!
Meredith College
If you’re looking for an excellent education in a more intimate setting, Meredith College is an excellent choice.
Meredith College provides its students with a friendly and close-knit community feel, and it has consistently ranked among Princeton Review’s top regional colleges and best values for many years.
In addition to solid academics, Meredith offers top-notch extracurricular activities like student theater groups and professional mentoring programs.
St. Andrews University
With its beautiful stretch of beachfront property and scenic community, St. Andrews University is a great place to attend school if you’re looking for a traditional campus experience.
St. Andrews University is one of the best community colleges in North Carolina near the beaches.
Housing options include single-gender dorms, suites with shared bathrooms, and houses that come fully furnished.
The university also offers amenities such as indoor/outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, and weight rooms.
The University of North Carolina Wilmington
The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is a public university located in Wilmington, North Carolina, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees.
The school boasts an average of 4,000 students enrolled per year.
As one of the best Community colleges in North Carolina, the UNCW has nine colleges:
- The College of Arts and Sciences
- Marine Science
- Nursing
- Business
- Education and Human Development
- Engineering and Computing Science
- Media Studies
- Public Health and
- Social Work.
Most courses are offered on a semester basis but there are also some courses offered on a trimester or quarter system during late summer semesters.
Carteret Community College
Carteret is also on our list of community colleges in North Carolina Near the beaches and is located on Croatan Sound, which is part of Bogue Banks.
Students who live within commuting distance can take classes through Carteret Community College with enrollment at their home high school.
The campus has an open-air courtyard, classrooms, computer labs, and athletic facilities like a gym and a field house.
It’s also close to several beaches including Holley Ridge Pier and Shem Creek Fishing Pier.
Pamlico Community College
Pamlico Community College is located right on Ocracoke Island, offering a serene setting to kick back and study.
Of course, Pamlico is one of many community colleges in North Carolina near beaches.
While they offer associate degrees, many students choose community college for career or transfer programs.
It’s a great option for students who are looking to save money by staying local—and make sure their classes are taught by professors with specialties that align with their interests or career goals.
Local businesses often hire community college grads because they learn skills specific to your city’s industry—meaning an advanced degree isn’t always necessary!
North Carolina State University
NC State has tons of clubs and activities. The University’s fraternity and sorority system are unique compared to most schools.
It is a co-ed system where all fraternities and sororities are housed together rather than being divided by gender.
NC State is often referred to as North Carolina’s Global University, due to its more than 135 international student organizations.
NC State also plays host to various athletic events every year; perhaps most notably, basketball fans can catch an NC State game against Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Other Community Colleges in North Carolina
- Wilson Community College
- Edgecombe Community College
- Lenoir Community College
- Sandhills Community College
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Western Piedmont Community College
- Stanley Community College
Wilson Community College
Located near Washington’s Outer Banks, Wilson is one of the community colleges in North Carolina that offers students a variety of educational opportunities.
Wilson Community College’s arts program boasts six galleries and four performance venues that showcase events from student art shows to professional performances.
In 2015, The Princeton Review named Wilson one of America’s best schools for adult learners.
Edgecombe Community College
With a campus only minutes from Atlantic Ocean beaches, Edgecombe Community College is a public two-year school that offers:
- Associate’s degrees
- Diplomas and
- Certificates
The college also offers job training, adult education classes, and community events.
Lenoir Community College
This school is one of North Carolina’s hidden gems.
Though it doesn’t have a lot of name recognition, LCC is actually ranked as one of America’s best community colleges by U.S. News & World Report.
Most students choose to live on campus and enjoy being so close to both water and mountains!
Sandhills Community College
This two-year college specializes in education, community development, and training.
Located just outside Pinehurst, a small town known for its prestigious golf course, Sandhills is a great place to get a hands-on education with an emphasis on service-learning and community outreach.
Blue Ridge Community College
Located in Spruce Pine, NC, and founded as a one-room schoolhouse over 100 years ago, Blue Ridge is one of the community colleges in North Carolina and is close to both Asheville and Black Mountain.
This fully accredited community college offers students plenty of internship opportunities as well as career training programs such as nursing assistant training.
In addition to its campus in Spruce Pine, BRCC has two others – Lake Junaluska and Marion – to serve students all over Western North Carolina.
Western Piedmont Community College
Western Piedmont is a perfect example of one of the smallest colleges in North Carolina near beaches, with one of the most beautiful campus views.
As soon as you step onto campus, you can almost hear birds chirping and see palm trees swaying through your surroundings.
And at a tuition cost of just $2,140 per year, you’ll save more than $12,000 over 4 years.
Stanley Community College
This small community college is located an hour south of Wilmington and half an hour north of Myrtle Beach.
Stanley’s low tuition and average class sizes make it a great choice for students who want to study at home.
The college offers bachelor’s degrees in:
- Marine biology
- Political science
- Sociology
- Nutrition
- Nursing and
- Oceanography
Distance-learning programs allow students to earn associate degrees or certificates while still working full-time jobs.
The active campus community supports student organizations ranging from social clubs to environmentally friendly groups.
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