Colleges Near Shelby, North Carolina
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Shelby? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 40 miles of Shelby, North Carolina.
There are at least 21 colleges serving the area, including 11 private colleges and universities, 2 public colleges and universities, and 8 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Shelby, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Shelby, North Carolina Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Shelby, North Carolina have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 10,854 doctorates at colleges and universities near Shelby. That was an increase of 2% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Shelby, North Carolina
There are at least 11 schools offering degrees near Shelby, North Carolina, and 11 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 16,437 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 6,933 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 5,159 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Shelby, North Carolina area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,602 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 98 associate degrees, 840 master's degrees, and 65 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Gardner-Webb University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Gardner-Webb University. In 2024, 447 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 10 associate degrees, 413 master's degrees, and 101 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,836
Completions By Degree
971
Est. Online Degree Availability
67%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Converse University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Converse University. In 2024, 161 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 44 master's degrees, and 19 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
845
Completions By Degree
224
Est. Online Degree Availability
2%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Limestone University is a non-accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Limestone University. In 2024, 402 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 33 associate degrees, 110 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,528
Completions By Degree
545
Est. Online Degree Availability
85%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Belmont Abbey College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Belmont Abbey College. In 2024, 332 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 9 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,454
Completions By Degree
341
Est. Online Degree Availability
48%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Sherman College of Chiropractic is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Doctoral degrees are the most popular at Sherman College of Chiropractic. In 2024, 83 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
83
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Limestone University is a non-accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Limestone University. In 2024, 402 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 33 associate degrees, 110 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,528
Completions By Degree
545
Est. Online Degree Availability
85%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Converse University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Converse University. In 2024, 161 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 44 master's degrees, and 19 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
845
Completions By Degree
224
Est. Online Degree Availability
2%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Sherman College of Chiropractic is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Doctoral degrees are the most popular at Sherman College of Chiropractic. In 2024, 83 doctoral degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
0
Completions By Degree
83
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Belmont Abbey College is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Belmont Abbey College. In 2024, 332 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 9 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,454
Completions By Degree
341
Est. Online Degree Availability
48%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Gardner-Webb University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Gardner-Webb University. In 2024, 447 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 10 associate degrees, 413 master's degrees, and 101 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,836
Completions By Degree
971
Est. Online Degree Availability
67%
Public Colleges & Universities Near Shelby, North Carolina
There are 2 four-year public colleges located near Shelby, North Carolina. About 8,016 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 2,526 degrees were completed at public colleges near Shelby. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of South Carolina-Upstate is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of South Carolina-Upstate. In 2024, 1,022 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 241 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,008
Completions By Degree
1,263
Est. Online Degree Availability
46%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of South Carolina-Upstate is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of South Carolina-Upstate. In 2024, 1,022 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 241 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,008
Completions By Degree
1,263
Est. Online Degree Availability
46%
Community Colleges Near Shelby, North Carolina
There are 8 community colleges near Shelby, North Carolina where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 13,966 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Shelby, and about 4,000 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Gaston College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,359
Completions By Degree
816
Est. Online Degree Availability
68%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Isothermal Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,056
Completions By Degree
362
Est. Online Degree Availability
16%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Isothermal Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,056
Completions By Degree
362
Est. Online Degree Availability
16%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Cleveland Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,236
Completions By Degree
503
Est. Online Degree Availability
13%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Cleveland Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,236
Completions By Degree
503
Est. Online Degree Availability
13%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Western Piedmont Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,332
Completions By Degree
319
Est. Online Degree Availability
7%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Gaston College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,359
Completions By Degree
816
Est. Online Degree Availability
68%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Western Piedmont Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,332
Completions By Degree
319
Est. Online Degree Availability
7%
Affordable Colleges Near Shelby, North Carolina
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Shelby, North Carolina? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Shelby-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $24,074. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Shelby is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Shelby, North Carolina
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Shelby, North Carolina is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Shelby, North Carolina here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Converse University
- Sherman College of Chiropractic
- Belmont Abbey College
- Gardner-Webb University
- Belmont Abbey College
- Converse University
- Sherman College of Chiropractic
- Gardner-Webb University
- Gaston College
- Isothermal Community College
- Isothermal Community College
- Cleveland Community College
- Cleveland Community College
- Western Piedmont Community College
- Gaston College
- Western Piedmont Community College
Shelby, North Carolina Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Shelby? What's the Shelby, North Carolina job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 470,775 jobs in the Shelby, North Carolina area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Shelby was above the national average, at 1.9%. There were 60,906 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Shelby do worse than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $19.97.