<p>According to academics, environment, and diversity. In mostly your opinion.</p>
<p>Appalachian State University
Campbell University
Duke University
East Carolina University
Elon University
High Point University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina State University
UNC at Asheville
UNC at Chapel Hill
UNC at Charlotte
UNC at Greensboro
UNC at Pembroke
UNC at Wilmington
Wake Forest University
Western Carolina University
Wingate University</p>
<p>My PERSONAL opinion:</p>
<ol>
<li>Duke</li>
<li><p>UNC-CH (yes, a tie. I like both equally, for different reasons)</p></li>
<li><p>Wake Forest (again, a tie...WF for business)</p></li>
<li><p>NC State (NC for engineering and such)</p></li>
<li><p>Elon</p></li>
<li><p>The rest</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I am considering applying to Elon...
Why did it make your top three?</p>
<p>Well, when I went through my "I'm obsessed with NC and must go to school there" phase, Elon really stood out to me. </p>
<p>It isn't as recognized as Duke, UNC, Wake Forest, or even NC State. But it does have a lot of good programs, and it is suprisingly well-known, even in other states. I also liked the emphasis on study abroad (I was going through an England phase at the time, as well. Hah.).</p>
<p>oh okay.
thank you.
I am very interested in study abroad as well.</p>
<p>What about Davidson?</p>
<p>I'd say:
1. Duke
2. UNC Chapel-Hill (but close)
3. Davidson
4. Wake Forest
5. NC State</p>
<p>I agree with bclintonk (even though I hate his SN with a passion haha).</p>
<p>1.Duke
2. Davidson
3. UNC-Chapel Hill
4. Wake
5. NC State</p>
<p>What about Guilford?</p>
<p>He said 'universities', which is why he didn't include Davidson.</p>
<ol>
<li>Duke
the rest</li>
</ol>
<p>mmm true kingofqueens, I forgot.
and I agree with the above poster UNLESS Davidson is included in the conversation (which it's not in this case)</p>
<ol>
<li>Duke</li>
<li>UNC-Chapel Hill</li>
<li>Davidson</li>
<li>Wake Forest</li>
<li>NC State</li>
</ol>
<p>All are amazing, however, in their own special way. You can get a great education 95% of all universities in NC.</p>
<p>I'd put Elon over NC State. Class size, emphasis on internships, study abroad, the campus, the students, administration's strong desire to put $ into programs, honors fellows programs, etc. all are a cut above NC State (just my opinion).</p>
<p>Part of the answer to this question lies in who is looking at this question. Stay in North Carolina after graduation and nearly all of these degrees can provide the student with some level of network to draw on. But move out of NC and the list looks like the below:</p>
<p>Duke</p>
<p>Wake Forest, Davidson, U North Carolina-CH</p>
<p>All others</p>
<p>OP, the rankings will always be different depending on who you ask.<br>
In the end, the rankings don't matter as much as what you are looking for in a college. You asked about diversity...several of those chosen as top ranked would be in the low end of the diversity scale. If that is really important to you then those may not be the best schools for you. As for environment, would that be the the campus environment or the town/city where the school is located that matters the most to you? If you are looking for a great "college town" that may change the way you would rank schools too.<br>
All things to consider. There are a wide range of schools across NC. You will find pros and cons to every one of them. Choose the one that best fits your needs/interests/abilities and don't worry about rankings.</p>
<p>agreed. A lot of the "rankings" threads on this website are started by people trying to garner more air for their balloon, so to speak. Its sad but true. You should pick a college for its fit for you personally and it doesnt matter what others think. Its also a myth that all the smart people with uber stats only go to the top elite schools. You can and will find kids with uber stats at every college in the country. Either they got a great scholarship or they just wanted to go to school there. </p>
<p>I am happy to give advice on particular schools to anyone with genuine interest. I stay away from school bashing, even if I have my own feelings that are not very positive towards a particular school. Thank goodness that is very few schools. There are however some generalizations that DO hold true about some schools and its important to measure that against who you are as a person and how you wish to define yourself.</p>
<p>Elon is a great school and a real gem that is not so hidden anymore. Its becoming highly selective. Its administration are warm and friendly. Its just a wonderful choice for those who want a smaller private school environment in a great location. Elon has a top drawer communications program and journalism program that has placed students at ESPN, CNN, New York Times, and some current writers for SNL.</p>
<p>There are other private colleges in North Carolina that would also be a good fit for somebody: Salem, Meredith, Warren Wilson, Belmont Abbey, Catawba, Guilford, Greensboro College, Lenoir Rhyne, for example.</p>
<p>There are also some good HBCU in NC as well.</p>
<p>Duke
Wake
UNC-Chapel Hill
Davidson
Elon
NC State
all others</p>
<p>I think Duke is some kind of community college</p>
<p>UNC
Davidson</p>
<p>Wake</p>
<p>Elon</p>
<p>NC State
Duke</p>
<p>Most the Colleges Listed is Private schools. But its fairly good Public Colleges as well. </p>
<p>UNCW
East Carolina
North Carolina A&T (HBCU)</p>
<p>Well, if you plan on living anywhere outside the triangle (but inside North Carolina) after you graduate, Duke would come in last. Not too many Duke fans outside of Durham!</p>
<p>If you plan on returning to Jersey (or anywhere else in the Northeast) after you graduate, then obviously Duke would rank much higher.</p>