NCCU Ranks Among Nation’s Top HBCUs in U.S. News Best Online Programs

No. 2 for veterans; No. 3 for bachelor's overall and business programs

North Carolina Central University (NCCU)continues to strengthen its national profile in online education, earning multiple top rankings in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programslist.

NCCU ranked No. 3 among historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) nationwide for online bachelor's degree programs and No. 9 overall in North Carolina, placing the university No. 2 among HBCUs in the state.

In online bachelor's degree programs in business, NCCU earned a No. 3 national ranking among HBCUs, No. 7 overall in North Carolina and No. 2 among North Carolina HBCUs.

The university also received strong recognition for serving military-connected learners. NCCU ranked No. 2 among HBCUs nationally for online bachelor's degree programs for veterans, No. 6 overall in North CarolinaandNo. 2 among HBCUs in the state.

Online programs remain the fastest-growing sector at NCCU, fueled by a 47.2% enrollment increase in fall 2025 through NCCU Online and the Project Kitty Hawk partnership. Military enrollment also increased by 6.9%, driven by strategic partnerships with state military installations and a dedicated Veterans Affairs Office.

"These rankings show the intentional work outlined in NCCU's strategic plan to broaden access and deliver programs that align with today's workforce, fueling continued enrollment growth," said Kimberly Phifer-McGhee, Ed.D., associate vice chancellor for extended studies and student support. "Through NCCU Online, we are creating pathways for adult learners and veterans to advance their careers while ensuring our programs respond to real community and industry needs."

The U.S. News Best Online Programs rankings are designed for individuals seeking to complete or advance their education through flexible learning options. The 2026 edition evaluated more than 1,800 online bachelor's and master's degree programs nationwide.

U.S. News assessed programs using metrics specific to online education, including student engagement, faculty credentials, and the quality of services and technologies available to support learners. Rankings include only degree-granting programs offered primarily online by regionally accredited institutions.

For more information about the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs list, visit the U.S. News website.

To learn about NCCU Online, visit https://online.nccu.edu/.