Every year, the Chronicle of Higher Education releases its annual almanac issue, which illustrates the state of higher education in the United States. The facts about North Carolina from that issue show that higher education in North Carolina is a large, growing sector.
In North Carolina, there are 16 public 4-year institutions, 59 public 2-year institutions, 44 private non-profit 4-year institutions, 1 private non-profit 2-year institution, and 17 private for-profit institutions. These add up to a total of 137 higher education institutions in the state.
University Finances
Despite the economic downturn, university funding and spending grew in 2011.
- State and federal support for higher education in North Carolina rose 6 percent between academic years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.
- Two of the 99 American institutions that charged more than $50,000 for tuition, fees, room, and board in 2010-2011 are located in North Carolina: Wake Forest University ($50,980) and Duke University ($51,865).
- Wake Forest University ranked 5th in the nation in licensing income (income from patents) in 2009 at $95,636,362.
- Average tuition and fees at public, 4-year institutions in North Carolina (2009-2010) were $4,559. At private, 4-year institutions, average tuition and fees were $23,788.
- Duke University has the largest endowment in the state: $4,823,572,000.
Academics
Several North Carolina universities were among the nation’s big spenders on scientific research. Not surprisingly, those same schools also received considerable funding from federal grants.
- Four of the top 100 colleges in total spending for science (2009) are located in North Carolina: Duke ($805 million), UNC-Chapel Hill ($646 million), North Carolina State ($380 million), and Wake Forest University ($201 million).
- Four of the top institutions in federal dollars for science (2009) are located in North Carolina: Duke ($438 million), UNC-Chapel Hill ($431 million), Wake Forest University ($144 million), and North Carolina State ($135 million).
- In FY 2008 and 2009, UNC-Chapel Hill constructed the most new space for science and engineering research in the country: 355,000 square feet.
- Total spending on research and development by North Carolina universities was $2,160,505,000 in 2010-2011.
- North Carolina State University was among the top 20 universities in number of doctorates awarded in economics in 2008-2009, at 19 degrees awarded.
- UNC-Chapel Hill was among the top 20 universities in the number of doctorates awarded in history in 2008-2009, at 18 degrees awarded.
The Students
North Carolina colleges and universities are growing—especially public ones. The average level of educational attainment in the state is also increasing.
- The number of new high school graduates in North Carolina is expected to grow 16 percent between 2011-12 and 2021-22.
- From 1999 to 2009, undergraduate enrollment in North Carolina schools grew 43 percent.
- Of students attending college in North Carolina in 2009, 83 percent attended public universities.
- UNC Pembroke was one of the fastest-growing public master’s universities in the country between 2004 and 2009, increasing enrollment 33 percent during that period.
- Minorities constituted 33 percent of North Carolina university enrollment in fall 2009.
- In North Carolina, 27 percent of residents have at least a bachelor’s degree. Nine percent have at least a master’s degree, up from 26.1 percent and 8.7 percent over last year, respectively.
- State residents made up 73 percent of all freshmen enrolled in North Carolina in the fall of 2008. Eighty-five percent of all North Carolina residents who were freshmen attended college in their home state.
The Professors
North Carolina professors are compensated well for their work. Average pay for professors was considerably more than average per capita personal income in the state: $35,638.
- The average pay of a full professor at a public doctoral institution (like UNC-Chapel Hill or NCSU) was $120,310 in 2009-2010. Average pay for an assistant professor was $71,338.
- The average pay of a full professor at a public master’s institution (like UNC Pembroke) was $90,621 in 2009-2010. Average pay for an assistant professor was $62,192.
- The average pay of a full professor at a private non-profit doctoral institution (like Duke) was $149,686 in 2009-2010. Average pay for an assistant professor was $74,335.
- The average pay of a full professor at a private non-profit master’s institution (like Elon) was $66,139 in 2009-2010. Average pay for an assistant professor was $49,818.
The Chronicle of Higher Education compiles information for its almanac issue from the U.S. Department of Education, the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, the American Council on Education, the Center for the Study of Education Policy at Illinois State University, the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, the National Science Foundation, the National Association of College and University Business Officers, the American Association of University Professors, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.