Research.com
North Carolina Wesleyan University logo

North Carolina Wesleyan University

#1366 in US ranking Rocky Mount, NC
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

Represent this school?

Update this profile on Research.com

Cost

Cost / year
$50,704
Tuition & fees
$36,706
Avg. aid
$23,348
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
80%
Avg. SAT
990
Avg. ACT
18

Outcomes

Graduation rate
42%
Median salary
$41,351
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of North Carolina Wesleyan University?

North Carolina Wesleyan University is a private university in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Founded in 1956 as North Carolina Wesleyan College, it began serving students in 1960 and adopted its current name in 2022.

Its history reflects a shift from a small liberal arts college toward an institution serving traditional undergraduates, transfer students, adult learners, and graduate students. The university retains an affiliation with the United Methodist Church. Applicants comparing older records with current materials should note that references to North Carolina Wesleyan College generally describe the same institution before its name change.

What are the faculties and departments at North Carolina Wesleyan University?

North Carolina Wesleyan offers undergraduate study across the liberal arts, sciences, business, education, and career-oriented fields, as well as graduate programs. Students can explore majors such as biology, psychology, criminal justice, computer and information sciences, business administration, accounting, and teacher education.

Program choice matters beyond the major's title. A student pursuing teaching should check the current licensure pathway and required field placements; someone considering health care should distinguish a preparatory major from a program that leads directly to a professional credential. Applicants should use the university's current academic catalog to confirm whether a program is offered at their intended location or online, its course sequence, and any separate admission requirements.

What is the location of North Carolina Wesleyan University?

North Carolina Wesleyan University's main campus is in Rocky Mount, an eastern North Carolina city with both residential neighborhoods and regional business activity. Its setting differs from that of a large downtown university: transportation plans may matter for students commuting, working off campus, or arranging internships.

About half of students commute, according to institutional housing figures. First-year students may register or park a car on campus. The university also serves some adult and professional students through locations and formats beyond the main campus, so applicants should confirm where their particular program meets. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is the listed nearest major airport, but students should plan for ground transportation between the airport and Rocky Mount.

What is the mission and vision of North Carolina Wesleyan University?

North Carolina Wesleyan describes its educational purpose in terms of academic learning, professional preparation, lifelong learning, and responsible participation in communities. Its United Methodist affiliation is part of its institutional identity; students do not need to assume that every academic program is religious in content.

The university's stated priorities are useful for understanding its mix of liberal arts and professional study, but a mission statement is an expression of institutional intent, not a measure of student outcomes. Prospective students can evaluate that intent against the curriculum, support services, costs, and completion results that apply to their own goals.

North Carolina Wesleyan University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

North Carolina Wesleyan University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

City: Small

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

Religious affiliation

Protestant (United Methodist Church)

School type

Upper-level higher education institution with graduate programs

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1956

North Carolina Wesleyan University Accreditation

North Carolina Wesleyan University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

North Carolina Wesleyan University Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconBachelor's degree
iconMaster's degree

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

Recently Published Articles