Best Online Colleges in North Carolina

Benefits of Studying Online in North Carolina

Home of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Tar Heel State is one of the most tightly contested areas during election time and is a level playing field economically speaking. With a total population of 10.4 million (the 9th largest of any state and 3.1% of the US population), North Carolina is a populated state that is geographically unique. Bound by the eastern coast, the state's total area is just shy of 54,000 square miles, making it the 28th largest in terms of square footage. Its largest city, Charlotte, is a powerful economic hub and is home to several Fortune 500 companies and major universities.

Employment Stats

The Tar Heel State also occupies a favorable spot on the list of America's big employers, ranking ninth of all states with a total of 4,827,400 people employed as of October 2022 - making up 3.15% of the nations total employed worker population. The stats point to the state being quite the reliable economic, as it has grown its employed population by 194,900 in the last year alone - representing a 4.21% surge over 2021 (that grow rate is the sixth highest of any state). Not only that, but North Carolina has created 2.8 million more jobs than the median state and employment opportunities are 144% greater than the typical state.

North Carolina also just edging out Michigan (which recorded 4,371,000 employed workers in 2022) when compared across the board. This gives North Carolina a slight edge of 457,000 employed workers, or 10.45% relative to Michigan. Conversely, Georgia ranked 8th in the nation with 4,839,000 employed, meaning North Carolina just barely lost out in employer total (-11,000, or -0.22%). That being said, the Tar Heel state still fell 73% short of the nation leader (California), which, like most states, isn't surprising given its population weight.

Job Opportunities

North Carolina offers 760 different occupational types to choose from, which is 5.3% greater than the national median of 722. This puts the state firmly in the 11th spot and provides students with a fair amount of job options to choose from. Although, it’s worth noting that Louisiana is still the median with 722 occupations, so the selection isn’t necessarily the largest in the nation, but rather just slightly above average.

North Carolina is home to several high ranking universities, including Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The state is also home to many Fortune 500 companies, such as Bank of America and Lowe's. The weather is generally quite pleasant throughout the year, with mild to warm summers and cool to cold winters (depending on region).

With an attractive population, plenty of diversity, and seemingly steady job market, North Carolina provides an excellent opportunity for students interested in studying online. From the cultural diversity of major cities to picturesque wilderness, the state offers a vareity of learning experiences that are certain to keep the average student engaged, both in the classroom and in their own time.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)