Students attending colleges in Raleigh can find fun and entertainment off campus in the city's restaurants, sports venues, and outdoor recreation areas. Career-focused students may also consider future opportunities through the city's thriving clean energy research and businesses, life sciences, IT and advanced manufacturing.
High school students in Raleigh have an opportunity to earn college credit as well as dual credit - meeting high school graduation requirements — through North Carolina's dual enrollment program.
Two Raleigh colleges stand out for their trade and technical programs.
Wake Technical College has four campuses in Raleigh, with one dedicated to public safety education. Students also can train for careers in nursing, dental hygiene, emergency medical science, and other healthcare professions.
My Computer Career offers certification programs in Microsoft, Linux, Cisco and more. Because Raleigh is within the Research Triangle Park, a technological community of software and other digital companies, students are well-situated for career opportunities.
There are three primary universities in Raleigh.
North Carolina State University at Raleigh has 10 colleges representing different academic fields. It excels in science, technology, engineering and math. Student housing includes Living and Learning Villages, residence hall communities for students who share similar academic, personal or lifestyle values.
Meredith College, a liberal arts school, was founded in 1899 as a women's college. Today, all undergrads are female, but men are admitted to its graduate school.
Founded in 1865, Shaw University is the first historically black university in the Southern U.S. and the first black college to admit female students.
North Carolina State University offers graduate degrees in more than 100 subjects. It's most popular master's programs are computer science and business administration; it's most popular doctoral program is veterinary medicine.
Shaw University has master's degree programs in Christian education, divinity, and early childhood education curriculum and instruction.
Meredith College offers master's programs in business, education, nutrition, and psychology (industrial/organizational).
Beyond the Raleigh colleges described above, additional higher education opportunities can be found in other North Carolina cities. See our full list of North Carolina colleges.
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