With more than 3,000 students, Elizabeth City State University is a part of the University of North Carolina system and the predominant institution for higher learning in the area. ECSU was founded in 1891 as a training school for teachers and the accredited school now offers 37 bachelor's degrees and four master's degrees. Along with partnerships with the two other institutions in Elizabeth City, ECSU also offers joint programs with other members of the University of North Carolina system.
The main campus of the College of The Albemarle is located in Elizabeth City. Operating for more than 45 years, it was the first community college established in North Carolina. As a member of the North Carolina Community College System, COA is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. This college offers programs in liberal arts and sciences, humanities, early childhood education, criminal justice and nursing.
Mid-Atlantic Christian University, formerly Roanoke Bible College, is a private Christian college offering degrees in theology, art and sciences. This college was established in 1948 to train preachers and has expanded to become a four-year institution offering classes in early childhood education, biblical study, ESL instruction and American Sign Language. The school changed its name in 2009 to expand the number of courses offered as well clarify that its location was not in Roanoke, Virginia.
Students attending Mid-Atlantic Christian University must meet the academic and enrollment requirements of either the state university or community college to apply for dual-enrollment. One such program Mid-Atlantic Christian University offers students is the Army ROTC with ECSU. This agreement also simplifies the transfer program from the state community college to the university.