Colleges in Durham, North Carolina
5 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 5 colleges and universities in Durham, North Carolina (2 Private nonprofit, 2 Public, 1 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 5 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $13,589 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 61.4%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 46% of applicants.
The median net price in Durham runs about $1,091 lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $14,680.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Durham, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$13,589
After aid
Median grad rate
61.4%
6-year
Median admission rate
46%
Median enrollment
3,890
Undergrad
All colleges in Durham
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University Durham, NC | NC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $29,612 | 96.8% | 6% | 6,442 | Complete | |
| North Carolina Central University Durham, NC | NC | Public, 4-year | $15,359 | 41.6% | 87% | 6,081 | Complete | |
| Durham Technical Community College Durham, NC | NC | Public, 2-year | $1,664 | 44.9% | Not available | 3,890 | Partial | |
| Watts College of Nursing Durham, NC | NC | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | 124 | Missing | |
| Bull City Durham Beauty and Barber College Durham, NC | NC | Private for-profit, <2-year | $11,819 | 77.8% | Not available | 41 | Partial |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (2)
Private nonprofit colleges in Durham are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Duke UniversityNet price: $29,612Grad: 96.8%
- Watts College of NursingNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Public (2)
Public colleges in Durham are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- North Carolina Central UniversityNet price: $15,359Grad: 41.6%
- Durham Technical Community CollegeNet price: $1,664Grad: 44.9%
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Durham operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Bull City Durham Beauty and Barber CollegeNet price: $11,819Grad: 77.8%
Top programs in Durham
Most-completed programs across Durham colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Health professions12.1% of degrees
- Social sciences11.3% of degrees
- Liberal arts8.2% of degrees
- Biological sciences7.5% of degrees
- Business7.0% of degrees
- Computer science6.9% of degrees
- Psychology5.8% of degrees
- Homeland security & law enforcement5.5% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Durham
Q.How many colleges are in Durham, North Carolina?
There are 5 colleges and universities in Durham, North Carolina that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 2 Private nonprofit, 2 Public, 1 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Durham?
By undergraduate enrollment, Duke University is the largest institution in Durham with roughly 6,442 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Durham?
Based on average net price after aid, Durham Technical Community College is the most affordable institution in Durham at $1,664 per year.
Q.Which Durham college has the highest graduation rate?
Duke University reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Durham institutions at 96.8%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Durham?
The median net price across all 5 colleges in Durham is $13,589 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Durham?
Across Durham colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Health professions, Social sciences, Liberal arts.
Q.Are there community colleges in Durham?
Yes — Durham includes 2 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in North Carolina
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Durham that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.