Members - North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities, Barber-Scotia College, Barton College

An initiative of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to provide additional information for students and parents.

Barton College is a four year, private, coeducational institution located in Wilson, North Carolina. Over 40 major areas of study are offered at the undergraduate level leading to Baccalaureate degrees. Unique programs include Photography, Audio Recording Technology, and Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. There are 1,100 students from 24 states and 15 countries around the world. The student:faculty ratio is 12:1. Barton participates in federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. Students are housed in five residence halls, of which four are coeducational. Barton is a member of the NCAA Division II and has twelve athletic teams for men and women. In 2007, Barton won the NCAA Division II Men's National Basketball Championship.

Founded in 1876 by the order of St. Benedict and located 15 minutes from downtown Charlotte, Belmont Abbey College is North Carolina's only Catholic college. Today, with 900 students, 20 majors, and 5 pre-professional programs, Belmont Abbey encourages its students to learn the importance of analytical thinking; clear, concise writing; and effective communication. In addition, Belmont Abbey students learn the importance of character development, drawing on the heritage of the Benedictine Community.

Bennett College for women, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, is a four-year liberal arts college for women. Historically, students have been of African-American descent, however Bennett welcomes all women. The college was founded in 1873 as a co-educational institution through the inspiration of newly emancipated slaves. It achieved college status in 1889 and was reorganized in 1926 as a senior college for women. Since its reorganization as a college for women, it has achieved high accreditation and graduated over 5,000 students.

Brevard College offers a range of distinctive baccalaureate degree programs on a beautiful residential campus in Brevard, N.C. Academic programs and facilities are undergoing dynamic transformation as enrollment grows toward a target of 1,000 undergraduates. Curriculum combines small-classroom instruction with creative internships and immersion experiences, provides a strong core in the liberal arts, and offers great strength in fine arts, as well as in interdisciplinary programs that educate for leadership and service and draw on the natural resources of our mountain setting. Brevard College was recently named one of the best Colleges and College Towns in America by Outside Magazine, among the top 25 Comprehensive Colleges in the South by U. S. News & World Report and a "Champion of Character Institution" by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is located on the campus of CMC-NorthEast in Concord, North Carolina. Students enrolled at Cabarrus College benefit from small classes, mentoring from faculty and a unique learning environment focused on the health sciences. Over 500 students are enrolled in six associate degree and three baccalaureate completion programs. Associate degree programs include medical assistant, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, pharmacy technology, surgical technology and associate in science. Baccalaureate completion programs include health services leadership and management, medical imaging and nursing (RN to BSN). The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

For additional information, please click on Cabarrus College of Health Sciences.

Campbell is a private, four-year liberal arts university located in the Cape Fear Region of North Carolina. The university offers over 100 undergraduate tracks and concentrations as well as graduate opportunities in the areas of pharmacy, business, education, law and divinity. Campbell is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a level-five university. The "Fighting Camels" nine men's and ten women's athletic teams participate in NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference. Undergraduate enrollment is 3,049.

Located in suburban, historic Salisbury, Catawba is North Carolina's sixth oldest college. It is a private church-related, four-year residential liberal arts college. The majority of the nearly 1100 students are from North Carolina with the remainder representing states from up and down the East Coast. Salisbury is a small city of 25,000 population, a leader in the historic preservation movement, and a place with a rare wealth of opportunities in the arts. It is located in the Piedmont of North Carolina, 30 miles north of Charlotte. The school is NCAA II with 16 varsity sports and offers over 40 different majors.

Chowan is a university where students do not just learn facts and figures, they learn success. Our small family environment makes it hard for anyone to slip through the cracks. Both advanced and beginning students may become part of our high success rates. Job placement rates in some majors range between ninety to one hundred percent, and all are invited to explore their opportunities for success at Chowan!

Davidson College is one of the nation's foremost academic institutions, a college of the liberal arts and sciences respected for its intellectual vigor, the high quality of its faculty and students, and the achievements of its alumni. It is characterized by its strong honor system, close interaction among faculty and students, an environment that fosters both intellectual growth and community service, and a commitment to international education. Davidson places great value on student involvement in extracurricular activities, intercollegiate athletics, and intramural sports. Nearby Charlotte, N.C., offers students the diverse cultural, international, and internship resources of a major metropolitan center.

As the South's most national and international university, Duke enrolls a student body whose diversity spans multiple dimensions. The Durham campus, considered one of the most beautiful in the nation, also includes some 8,000 acres of forest. Duke's enrollment places it among the smallest of the nation's major universities. Students enjoy a warm and personal campus community with a strong commitment to individual education, in an academic environment considered among the world's very best. The residential setting of Duke affords a rich variety of opportunities for intellectual, cultural, and social sharing among faculty and students.

Elon University has built a national reputation for its active, engaged style of teaching and learning. The National Survey of Student Engagement recognizes Elon as one of the country's most effective universities in challenging and supporting students, and Elon leads the nation's master's-level universities in the percentage of students who study abroad. Three out of four students complete internships and 88 percent volunteer in the community. With an enrollment of about 4,850, Elon is the ideal size, offering the comprehensive resources of a university in a close-knit community atmosphere. Academic offerings include 50 majors in the arts and sciences, business, communications and education. Elon's historic campus has been recognized as one of the most beautiful in the country.

Founded by North Carolina Baptists, Gardner-Webb is a private, coeducational university located at the foothills of the North Carolina mountains. Its purpose is to provide learning of distinction in the liberal arts and in professional studies within a caring community based upon Christian principles and values. Students, faculty and staff are part of a community of learning, and Gardner-Webb seeks to prepare and encourage students to make meaningful contributions to the global community in which we live. Gardner-Webb has been named as one of America’s best Christian colleges and was honored by the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. To this end, the University strives to develop students intellectually, spiritually, socially and physically. Founded in 1905, Gardner-Webb seeks a higher ground in higher education - one that embraces faith and intellectual freedom, balances conviction with compassion, and inspires in students a love of learning, service, and leadership.

Founded in 1838 by the Methodist Church, Greensboro College, a college of the Church, is a nationally respected coeducational institution enrolling more than 1,300 students from across the nation and the world. Among the more than 30 majors are outstanding Fine and Performing Arts and Special Education programs, comprehensive Writing-Across-the-Curriculum and Ethics-Across-the - Curriculum programs and a strong internship program through which students work in the thriving Triad business community.

Established in 1837 by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Guilford College is the third oldest coeducational college in the country. Named one of America's 25 "Hottest Colleges" in the Kaplan/Newsweek How to Get Into College Guide (2006 edition), Guilford offers 39 academic majors, plus five cooperative pre-professional programs. The 300-acre campus is located in Greensboro, NC, a city of approximately 230,000 people. Student life at Guilford carries a rich tradition of self-governance, leadership, and social concern and students are strongly encouraged to participate in some form of leadership activity.

With its beautiful campus containing modern facilities, wooded acreage and well-manicured gardens, High Point University provides an ideal atmosphere for teaching and learning. Located on 135 acres in the City of High Point, North Carolina, the campus is spacious and open. The University is large enough to provide a wide variety of academic programs, yet small enough to permit individualized attention. Together, the cities of High Point, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem form the Piedmont Triad, a metropolitan area with a population of 1.2 million. The University is located within twenty minutes of the Piedmont Triad International Airport.

Johnson C. Smith University, founded in 1867, is one of the nation's oldest and strongest historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's). Their record of preparing the current leaders of our society is outstanding. But even as they continue to educate the leaders of the 21st century, they are ever mindful of their proud past and our rich roots. Johnson C. Smith is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, a fast-growing hub of business and finance with a national reputation for career opportunities.

At 4,000 feet above sea level, Lees-McRae College has the highest elevation of any campus in the eastern United States. Founded in 1900 as a Presbyterian-affiliated institution, Lees-McRae is a four-year co-educational institution that helps students realize their full potential while educating mind, body and spirit. The institution provides a quality, values-based education in an ecumenical environment, inspiring and enabling individuals to contribute to a changing society with integrity and civic responsiblity. Through a curriculum rooted in a liberal arts core emphasizing leadership and service, graduates obtain knowledge, skills, and a holistic understanding of themselves and the world. Nestled in between Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain and Grandfather Mountain, the 400-acre integrated wireless campus provides excellent opportunities for mountain exploration and learning. Students can choose from 23 majors, 13 minors and 20 NCAA Division II sports to fulfill their potential as college students. Continuing Education courses are also available.

Are you ready for a real education? Lenoir-Rhyne University is a private, liberal arts university in Hickory, North Carolina affiliated with the North Carolina Synod of the ELCA that offers opportunities that go beyond the classroom with some of the most amazing, down to earth people you'll ever meet. Our students are quite diverse, and they enjoy the benefits of a world-class faculty, including Fulbright winners, award winning researchers, and renowned authors. Our professors teach all of our classes, and this commitment to excellence makes for a strong liberal arts core. It doesn't end there. We are also a university with a rich athletic tradition. Lenoir-Rhyne University is a member of the NCAA Division II and the South Atlantic Conference with 17 intercollegiate teams (visit our website to learn more). We also have over 50 student organizations including Greek life, service opportunities, and a campus radio station. Our students are constantly making a difference on campus and in the community of Hickory; we're educating our students both inside and outside the classroom. More than 90% of our students receive financial aid, so it's likely that we can make an L-R education affordable for you, too. Students excel here, so visit; and if you like what you see, apply to become the newest member of the Lenoir-Rhyne family.

Livingstone College is a private, coeducational, residential college which is located in Salisbury, North Carolina. Largely supported by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the college consists of two schools: an undergraduate college of arts and sciences and a graduate school of theology-- Hood Theological Seminary. The institutional values promote student growth and development of a practical philosophy enabling students to apply moral and spiritual values to current problems and issues. For over 110 years, Livingstone has endeavored to provide academic operations that are entirely nonsectarian and open to men and women of potential regardless of their race, or national origins.

Louisburg College is a two-year, residential, co-educational institution of higher learning related to the United Methodist Church. As a junior college it serves primarily three types of students: those who seek a solid academic foundation in order to transfer to a four-year college; those who seek to bridge the gap between high school and a large institution by attending a junior college capable of giving them personal attention; and those who plan terminal study, to prepare them for career opportunities upon graduation from Louisburg College. As Louisburg cultivates the educational and career goals for students it also offers a wide variety of campus organizations, clubs, and athletics. These assets have a unique way of developing each Louisburg student's social and emotional maturity, and creating a well rounded, diverse environment that will expand the minds and visions of each student. To find out more about what Louisburg College can offer contact them at 1-800-775-0208.

Mars Hill College located 18 miles north of Asheville, N.C., offers small town security accompanied by diverse social, cultural, and recreational opportunities. With an enrollment of nearly 1,100 students and a student/Faculty ratio of 13:1, Mars Hill College offers a highly individualized education where open communication and hands-on-approach is encouraged and developed between students and professors. With over 30 majors in everything from Art to Zoology, Mars Hill awards five different degrees including a Bachelor of: Arts, Science, Music, Social Work, and Fine Arts. Through its 140 year history the mission of Mars Hill College has remained unchanged in providing a sound and meaningful undergraduate education for its students within the context of a Christian environment.

Located on a scenic 225-acre campus in west Raleigh, Meredith College is the largest private four-year women's college in the southeastern US. With an enrollment of over 2,100, Meredith offers over 40 majors leading to a bachelor of arts, music, science or social work, and students enjoy opportunities in liberal arts, career preparation, leadership, internships, pre-professional programs and study abroad. The College also offers master's degrees for both men and women in business administration, education, music and nutrition and offers non-credit enrichment courses through its continuing education division.

Methodist University enrolls approximately 2,200 students from 48 states and 31 countries. These students are engaged in an active classroom environment, enrolled in over 70 majors and concentrations and 30+ minors, and active in almost 70 clubs and student organizations as well as 19 NCAA Division III athletic programs. Because of the academic rigor, a unique combination of the liberal arts and career-oriented academic programs, and these diverse enrichment opportunities, Methodist University graduates are highly sought after and successful. Located in one of North Carolina's largest cities, Fayetteville, NC, Methodist University is growing at a rapid rate yet remains one of the best values in higher education in the Southeast. For additional information, phone 1-800-488-7110. To request information online, please fill out the information request form.

Montreat College is a four-year, independent Christian liberal arts college located 10 miles east of Asheville, NC. Students on the beautiful Montreat campus (the traditional program) may choose from more than 40 programs of study ranging from Environmental Studies to Bible and Religion to Business Administration. Montreat College's School of Professional and Adult Studies (SPAS) holds classes in Asheville, Charlotte, Black Mountain, and Cherokee, offering associates, baccalaureate, and master's degrees. With challenging programs and a favorable student/faculty ratio of 12:1, Montreat College enrollment is
rapidly growing. For more information about the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities' (CCCU) only member institute in North Carolina, please call the Montreat College Admissions Office at 800-622-6968.

Mount Olive College is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts traditions with locations in Mount Olive, Goldsboro, New Bern, the Research Triangle Park, Washington, and Wilmington, North Carolina. The College is helping to transform the lives of over 4,100 students by offering associate and bachelor's degrees in a variety of modes and times to accommodate the needs of a diverse student population. Small classes, personal attention, and dedicated faculty and staff help students grow personally, socially, spiritually, and intellectually into whole human beings through caring, mentoring relationships. Many
students participate in a variety of extracurricular activities, providing additional academic, arts, music, religious, social, and athletic opportunities for personal enrichment.

North Carolina Wesleyan is a private liberal arts college on a picturesque 200-acre campus in the coastal plain region of the state. The College provides 730 students with a distinctive "Wesleyan advantage" involving attention to the individual and a commitment to leadership. Students explore questions of ethics, values, and integrity through a combination of academic and extracurricular experiences in a personalized and active learning environment. Students are encouraged to take advantage of internship opportunities and act on their interests through campus activities ranging from athletics to the arts to community service.

Founded in 1885, Pfeiffer University is a private, four-year, coeducational, liberal arts institution affiliated with the Methodist Church. We are dedicated to preparing servant leaders for lifelong learning. A Pfeiffer education offers a multitude of opportunities to join and take leadership roles in athletics, campus life, and internships. Pfeiffer participates in nine women's and seven men's intercollegiate sports programs at the NCAA Division II level. To request more information regarding Pfeiffer University, please call 1-800-338-2060 or complete the information request form.

Queens University of Charlotte is a four-year, co-educational, liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1857, Queens University of Charlotte is rapidly becoming one of the preeminent, liberal arts colleges in the Southeast. Located in Charlotte, Queens is able to offer internships at area businesses and agencies for all students in one of the fastest growing cities in America. These internships are done for course credit and are a semester long. All full-time students also participate in a three week study tour abroad, the cost of which is included in tuition. Students are able to choose from a variety of majors, as well as more than thirty concentrations. Students participate in service clubs, honor societies, Greek organizations, and student government. NCAA Division II athletic teams include tennis, basketball, soccer, golf, volleyball, and softball. Located in the historic neighborhood of Myers Park, housing is provided for all students on campus.

St. Andrews University in Laurinburg is a private, four-year, coeducational liberal arts institution in the North Carolina Sandhills. Students come from all over the world creating a unique and diverse student body. An outcome-oriented curriculum features 24 majors, six interdisciplinary majors and 23 concentration specialties. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1 (84% of the faculty have a doctorate or appropriate terminal degree). Study abroad opportunities are available for semester and shorter timeframes. St. Andrews has a nationally recognized general education program, extensive internship opportunities, comprehensive career planning, 21 NCAA Division II athletic teams, performance choir and competitive bagpipe band, and a renowned equestrian program.

Saint Augustine's College has prepared and graduated more that 8,000 young men and women during the past 128 years. Our graduates have assumed leadership positions throughout America and abroad. Saint Augustine's College provided them with a quality foundation for critical thinking, character building, and leadership skills necessary for lifelong living and learning. Our philosophy of education encompasses a strong liberal arts tradition, coupled with sufficient skills-training to enable our students to grasp the enormous technological advances of recent decades. This tradition of learning is grounded in the belief that our students possess unlimited potential. Saint Augustine's College is committed to tapping potential and shaping future leaders who will make a difference.

Salem is a small, close-knit community with many opportunities for students to get to know each other and to be involved in aspects of campus life. The spirit of community at Salem encourages students to examine values, to exchange ideas with others and to grow as
confident individuals. Because the atmosphere on campus is one of trust, Salem students take exams unmonitored and unscheduled. The college's 57-acre campus is located in the Old Salem restoration area of Winston-Salem (population 150,000), only a 10 minute walk from downtown. Winston-Salem is a recognized cultural center of the Southeast.

Today, after more than 130 years of existence, Shaw University continues to build on its liberal arts tradition, a tradition that espouses learning in the humanities, social and natural sciences, and the quantitative disciplines. Shaw is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Requirements for admission are as follows: (1) a high school diploma or GED certificate; (2) the following distribution of high school units: English-4 units; Math-3 units; Natural Sciences-3 units; Social Sciences-3 units; Electives-9 units; and (3) a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average overall. Prospective students are also required to have taken the SAT or ACT. For more information call 1-800-214-6683 or 919-546-8276.

A small, private liberal arts institution, Wake Forest University is committed to the ideal of an education designed to expand students' general knowledge while developing their intellectual capacities. A Wake Forest education requires students to take introductory courses in the following divisions: languages and literature; the natural sciences and mathematics; history, religion, and philosophy; the social and behavioral sciences; and the arts. Unlike colleges where liberal arts courses are available but optional, Wake Forest maintains its commitment to expose each student to the ways of thinking and performing, as well as to the subject matter, in a variety of disciplines. For 163 years, the University has combined goodness and knowledge in a value- based education that has roots in its Baptist heritage and in its motto, Pro Humanitate.

The central mission of Warren Wilson College is to provide an educational triad of liberal study, work and service, in a setting that promotes wisdom and understanding, spiritual growth, and contribution to the common good. The general education program helps students develop valuable skills, explore topics related to the distinctive mission of the College, and engage in broad study of the liberal arts. We offer 20 majors, including arts, humanities, and science disciplines; professional studies; and innovative interdisciplinary and individually designed programs. Within the general education program, several of the Mission Topics courses provide students the opportunity to reflect on the nature of work and service, on personal values and the sense of calling or vocation, and on students' own experience in the campus work program and in off-campus service projects. Work and service are an important part of each student's daily life.

William Peace University is a private university located in the vibrant downtown district of Raleigh, North Carolina. WPU consistently ranks in the top 10% nationally in several categories of the National Survey of Student Engagement, which measures students’ involvement in their education. William Peace University has a strong career-development program in which internships are required as part of each student’s baccalaureate program. On average, more than 90% of William Peace University students are placed in jobs or graduate school upon graduation.

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution offering students active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, career discovery, faith development and community service. Located less than an hour from Charlotte, Wingate offers 37 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, education and the doctor of pharmacy degree. In addition to academics, Wingate student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate is ranked 19th among Southern comprehensive colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Reports: America's Best Colleges.