| 100% | TAR | 3 | University of North Carolina ___ Heels |
| 79% | ELON | 4 | University of North Carolina |
| 77% | CHAPELHILL | 10 | University of North Carolina's home |
| 76% | TARHEELS | 8 | University of North Carolina athletes: 2 wds. |
| 76% | TARHEEL | 7 | University of North Carolina athlete: 2 wds. |
| 76% | ELON | 4 | Private university of North Carolina |
| 68% | BOONE | 5 | North Carolina home of Appalachian State University |
| 64% | DEANSMITH | 9 | University of North Carolina basketball coach who led the US men's basketball team to Olympic gold in 1976: 2 wds. |
| 62% | ELON | 4 | North Carolina university that bears no relation to the billionaire of the same name |
| 60% | TAR | 3 | North Carolina __ Heels |
| 58% | TAR | 3 | North Carolina ___ Heels |
| 58% | DENTON | 6 | University of North Texas home |
| 58% | MEANGREEN | 9 | University of North Texas nickname |
| 57% | RALEIGH | 7 | Capital of North Carolina |
| 56% | DOGWOOD | 7 | State flower of North Carolina |
| 56% | TOBACCO | 7 | Major crop of North Carolina |
| 56% | ELON | 4 | North Carolina university |
| 56% | DUKE | 4 | North Carolina university |
| 56% | XXXX | 4 | North Carolina university |
| 56% | RAMESES | 7 | Ovine mascot of the North Carolina Tar Heels |
| 55% | ESSE | 4 | Start of North Carolina's motto |
| 55% | RALEIGH | 7 | State capital of North Carolina, US |
| 55% | TENN | 4 | State west of North Carolina: Abbr. |
| 55% | ELON | 4 | North Carolina's ___ University |
| 55% | ELON | 4 | University in North Carolina |
| 55% | ELON | 4 | North Carolina university town |
| 55% | DUKE | 4 | University in North Carolina |
| 54% | ESSE | 4 | First word of North Carolina's motto |
| 54% | ESSE | 4 | "___ quam videri," state motto of North Carolina |
| 54% | ESSE | 4 | “___ quam videri” (state motto of North Carolina) |