Below is a list of four year institutions that are part of the University of North Carolina (UNC) System or are members of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Association (NCICU). 

Institution	Location	Snapshot
Appalachian State University	Boone	Large public university in the mountains
Barton College	Wilson	Small private college in eastern North Carolina
Belmont Abbey College	Belmont	Small private college near Charlotte
Bennett College	Greensboro	Small private college
Brevard College	Brevard	Small private college in the mountains
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences	Concord	Small private college near Charlotte
Campbell University	Buies Creek	Medium-sized private university just south of Raleigh
Catawba College	Salisbury	Small private college between Charlotte and Greensboro
Chowan University	Murfreesboro	Small private university in northeastern North Carolina
Davidson College	Davidson	Small private college in a college town near Charlotte
Duke University	Durham	Large private university
East Carolina University	Greenville	Large public university in eastern North Carolina
Elizabeth City State University	Elizabeth City	Small public university in northeastern North Carolina
Elon University	Elon	Medium-sized private university just outside of Greensboro
Fayetteville State University	Fayetteville	Medium-sized public university
Gardner-Webb University	Boiling Springs	Medium-sized private university in western North Carolina
Greensboro College	Greensboro	Small private college
Guilford College	Greensboro	Small private college
High Point University	High Point	Medium-sized private university just outside of Greensboro
Johnson C. Smith University	Charlotte	Small private university
Lees-McRae College	Banner Elk	Small private college in the mountains
Lenoir-Rhyne University	Hickory	Medium-sized private university in western North Carolina
Livingstone College	Salisbury	Small private college between Charlotte and Greensboro
Louisburg College	Louisburg	Small private two-year college in northeastern North Carolina
Mars Hill University	Mars Hill	Small private university in the mountains
Meredith College	Raleigh	Small private women's college
Methodist University	Fayetteville	Small private university
Mid-Atlantic Christian University	Elizabeth City	Small private university in northeastern North Carolina
Montreat College	Montreat	Small private college in the mountains
North Carolina A&T State University	Greensboro	Large public university
North Carolina Central University	Durham	Medium-sized public university
North Carolina State University	Raleigh	Very large public university
North Carolina Wesleyan University	Rocky Mount	Small private university in eastern North Carolina
Pfeiffer University	Misenheimer	Small private university in the Piedmont region
Queens University of Charlotte	Charlotte	Small private university
Saint Augustine's University	Raleigh	Small private university
Salem College	Winston-Salem	Small private women's college
Shaw University	Raleigh	Small private university
UNC Asheville	Asheville	Small public university
UNC Charlotte	Charlotte	Very large public university
UNC Greensboro	Greensboro	Large public university
UNC Pembroke	Pembroke	Medium-sized public university in southeastern North Carolina
UNC School of the Arts	Winston-Salem	Small public arts conservatory
UNC Wilmington	Wilmington	Large public university
University of Mount Olive	Mount Olive	Small private university in eastern North Carolina
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill	Large public university in a classic college town
Wake Forest University	Winston-Salem	Medium-sized private university
Warren Wilson College	Swannanoa	Small private college near Asheville
Western Carolina University	Cullowhee	Medium-sized public university
William Peace University	Raleigh	Small private university
Wingate University	Wingate	Medium-sized private university near Charlotte
Winston-Salem State University	Winston-Salem	Medium-sized public university

 

• Small: Fewer than 5,000 students
• Medium-sized: 5,000–15,000 students
• Large: 15,000–30,000 students
• Very Large: More than 30,000 students

When should I apply to a four-year institution?

Application deadlines vary by institution and term, but as applications open is recommended. Most universities recommend applying at least one semester before you plan to enroll, but the earlier the better, as the timeline may affect scholarship opportunities or major-specific admission. 

Does the Associate of Arts (AA)/Associate of Science(AS) qualify me for guaranteed admission under the Comprehensive Articulation Agree (CAA)?

Yes, with an AA or AS degree meeting the minimum GPA (2.0  minimum, though competitive institutions/programs expect higher), the CAA guarantees admission with junior standing somewhere in the UNC System — but not to a specific institutions or major.

How do I learn more about the CAA?

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What GPA is needed for transfer?

Requirements vary by institution and program. Competitive majors such as nursing, engineering, business, and education often require higher GPAs than the institution's minimum transfer requirement. 

How many total transfer credits will the institution accept, and is there a residency requirement?

Ask this at every school, institutions usually cap credits  (commonly around 60-70 semester hours) and minimum "last X hours completed in residence" rules vary by institution and aren't standardized across NCICU schools the way they roughly are within the UNC System.

Will coursework need to be repeated after transferring?

Possibly. Some courses may transfer as electives rather than direct equivalents, and some majors have specific course requirements. Use the UNC Transfer Portal to see how courses will transfer, or any of the direct links above. For NCICU institutions, their portal is forthcoming; in the interim, look at each individual website to find out more about degree planning. 

Will the school use the Universal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC) to satisfy General Education (GE) requirements?

UGETC-designated courses are guaranteed to transfer and satisfy GE requirements at any UNC System school or NCICU institution that has signed onto the ICAA. Courses outside the UGETC list may transfer as credit but not necessarily fulfill a specific requirement.

If it's an NCICU school, has that specific institution actually signed the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA)?

Not automatically, the ICAA only binds signatory institutions. NCICU has roughly 36 member colleges and universities, but not all of them are ICAA signatories, and signatory status can change. Always confirm the specific institution's status directly rather than assuming NCICU membership equals ICAA participation.

Is there a bilateral or discipline-specific agreement between my community college and four-year schools?

Possibly. Bilateral agreements are unique contracts between two colleges, often because they're geographically close or have closely related programs, these can offer stronger guarantees than the general statewide agreements. Work with your community college advisor to learn more. 

Do my placement test scores (math, writing, foreign language) carry over, or will I need to retest at the new institution?

Placement often isn't just about transferred credit. Some four-year schools require their own placement exam for sequencing regardless of prior coursework.

Will Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), transfer as equated by the community college, or will they be re-evaluated?

Most institutions will re-evaluate CPL (such as AP exams) so that their native equivalencies are met. This may result in a loss of credit or the need to retake courses. Consult with an admissions counselor or advisor at the four-year to learn more. 

Is financial aid  available for transfer students?

Yes. Transfer students may be eligible for federal aid, state aid, institutional aid, scholarships, and transfer-specific scholarships. Explore the financial aid and scholarship section on this site or reach out to your intended institution's admissions and financial aid office for opportunities. 

Do universities offer scholarships specifically for transfer students?

Many institutions offer scholarships designed specifically for transfer students. Explore the financial aid and scholarship section on this site or reach out to your intended institution's admissions and financial aid office for opportunities. 

Am I guaranteed housing?

Maybe, you will need to talk with a representative from the institution to learn more. 

How do I decide where to transfer?

Start by exploring institutions that offer the desired major, preferred campus environment, geographic location, cost, and support services. Visiting institutions and meeting with admissions staff can help narrow choices.

When should official transcripts be sent, and from where?

Most likely, you will need to send more than one official transcript. Most NC four-year schools want an updated official transcript sent after the semester in progress is complete, not just at application time, since final grades affect transcript evaluation, advising, financial aid and scholarships, and even admission. Confirm whether the school needs it sent again after grades post, or if they'll request it automatically. To send an official transcript, contact the office of Records/Registrar at your community colleges. Also, most four-year schools will want official transcripts from all previously attended institutions, so plan accordingly. 

When does I get access to the new institution's systems (email, student portal, library, learning management system (LMS)?

This varies by institution, and the level of access may change as students reach certain milestones or steps. For example, admission information will likely be available at the time of application, but an email account may not be set up until the student accepts their admission. Access to Canvas or another LMS likely won't happen until registration. 

Are health/immunization records, background checks, or other compliance documents required before registration?

This varies by institution; consult with an admissions representative or advisor to learn more. And always watch your email or mail for important information like this! 

Is there continuity for accommodations between the two institutions, or does the student need to reapply for those services at the new school?

Accommodations don't automatically transfer. Student's typically needs to register with the new school's disability services office and may need to submit relevant documentation.