Talent is RTP's most valuable asset. The Research Triangle region is home to some of the most educated and talented people in the world, with 53 percent of the Raleigh-Durham-Cary Combined Statistical Area population holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The combined knowledge assets of the region provide unparalleled resources to North Carolina companies, universities, and area entrepreneurs.
Higher Education
Universities have always been at the core of RTP’s success. Anchored by the research strength at Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, RTP-based businesses have immediate access to employees with competitive skills and researchers with discoveries and inventions that are changing the world. Given the moderate cost of living in the region, high-quality, reasonably priced labor is one of the preeminent advantages of locating in RTP. Stimulated by the region's other 11 universities and institutions of higher education, workforce development programs enable employers to continually expand their workers’ skills to compete in the constantly evolving technology sector.
U.S. Census Bureau, September 2009(Raleigh-Durham-Cary CSA)
- 3rd Highest Percentage of Adults with at Least a Bachelor’s Degree
- 4th Highest Percentage of Adults with a Master’s Degree
- 6th Highest Percentage of Adults with a Doctorate/Professional Degree
Universities and higher learning institutes within 30 minutes of RTP (view map):
- Duke University
- North Carolina State University
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Meredith College
- North Carolina Central University
- William Peace University (formerly Peace College)
- Saint Augustine’s College
- Shaw University
- Durham Technical Community College
- Wake Technical Community College
K-12
North Carolina is the leading state for National Board Certified teachers, accounting for one-fifth of those nationally and 10% of the state’s teachers, library media coordinators and guidance counselors. We rank in the top 10 in SAT participation and the state’s average total scores exceed the Southeast’s average.
- #1 Top Public Schools in U.S.(Raleigh, N.C.) – Greatschools.org, August 2010
- #8 Best Educated City (Durham) – Forbes, 2008
- Top 20 Best Places to Educate your Child (Durham, N.C.) – Forbes, 2007
View the NC Report Card, an annually issued report by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. This online resource provides a single source of data about student achievement and attendance, class size, school safety, teacher quality, school technology and other information from the state’s public, charter, and private schools.
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