A Look at Some of North Carolina’s Top College Towns

North Carolina’s college towns wholly embrace their schools; supporting the sports teams, welcoming the students, and possessing an atmosphere of excitement and fun. Let’s explore a selection of North Carolina’s top college towns below. 

Durham serves as a center for innovation that hosts many tech companies and burgeoning enterprises, along with Duke University, one of the nation’s leading academic institutions. Founded in 1838, Duke holds a historic legacy. Its gorgeous campus showcases remarkable architecture and features captivating public museums. Adding to the city’s vibrancy, Durham residents enthusiastically rally to support Duke’s illustrious basketball program.

Chapel Hill is a pleasant city with a fascinating history and magnificent architecture. Enriched by the presence of the University of North Carolina, the city thrives with an array of bars and restaurants that attract a lively student crowd. The historic University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the top public institutions in the U.S. and attracts an incredibly bright student population. And catching a North Carolina vs. Duke rivalry basketball game is an essential Chapel Hill bucket-list experience.

Boone, a quaint community in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is home to Appalachian State University. The school’s substantial student population is approximately equivalent to that of Boone itself. Its expansive 500-acre campus is just minutes away from Boone’s charming downtown, providing students easy access to lively nightlife venues and tasty local eateries.

Raleigh, North Carolina’s capital, is a bustling city known for its historical significance, museums, and burgeoning economy. It is also renowned as a major higher education epicenter, with ten colleges across the city, including North Carolina State University, the largest university in the Carolinas. Parks, cafes, golf courses, and bars surround NC State’s campus, which is located in the city’s west end. Raleigh fans enthusiastically support the many North Carolina State teams that excel in a wide range of sports.

Wilmington is a historic port city along the Cape Fear River. This gorgeous community offers a unique setting with easy access to renowned beaches and the Riverwalk district, which is filled with restaurants, bars, and shops. The city houses the University of North Carolina Wilmington, a prestigious public university with around 17,500 students. Its beautiful, sprawling campus is situated near busy malls and dining spots within the city’s vibrant hub. 

Winston-Salem is a growing metropolis within one of North Carolina’s most populated areas. Surrounded by scenery and near the state’s well-known Wine Country, Winston-Salem has plenty to explore. It is home to Wake Forest University, a prestigious institution founded in 1834. The city’s passion for the school’s exceptional sports teams makes attending Wake Forest’s sporting events essential.

Greensboro is a major city with a renowned food scene, intriguing museums, and scenic public parks. It has established itself as a hub for higher education with a massive student population due to the presence of numerous schools across the city. The University of North Carolina Greensboro is a large public school with a stately campus near the city’s downtown. Also in Greensboro, North Carolina A&T, renowned as the largest HBCU in the nation, boasts an acclaimed STEM education program.