Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in North Carolina. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.
North Carolina is the perfect place for students pursuing higher education. As the site of the first public university in the US, North Carolina has a long history of supporting equal access to higher education for all citizens. As a result, students worldwide are flying to North Carolina to obtain a college degree to fulfill their academic and professional goals.
North Carolina might be the perfect study place for you if you’re seeking the best of both worlds: the laid-back pace of life, the subtropical environment, and a high caliber of education offered up in combination with booming, intellectual, and cultural cities that don’t fit any preconceptions at all.
The average cost of attending college in North Carolina for in-state students is $3,500 a semester. Tuition costs in North Carolina’s public institutions often fall in this range. Additionally, students attending college in North Carolina have access to many scholarships and financial aid programs.
A few of the schools with the largest financial aid packages include:
The total cost of attending college includes the price of books, transportation, and accommodation in addition to tuition and fees. The estimated annual cost of room and board is between $8,556 and $12,857, and the annual cost of books surpasses $958.
With the inflation going on in the US even the cheapest college degree may be costly for many college students. North Carolina is one of the leading US states to offer more affordable college living. Some of the most important resources you should take note of include the following:
Students can also call 2-1-1 or go to the NC 211 website. 211 is a free, round-the-clock program that links citizens of North Carolina with social services and neighborhood groups. Counselors at 211 can direct callers to places that offer free or low-cost medical treatment, inexpensive child care services, free or low-cost food, clothing, housing, and more. They can assist with practically any difficulty.
Understanding employment growth for your particular professional path is vital as you continue to narrow down your alternatives for the best cheapest universities in North Carolina.
According to Zippia, here are the fastest-growing jobs in North Carolina:
Among these schools are over 60 public colleges and universities, including the state’s largest school, North Carolina State University, which serves almost 30,000 students. Tuition costs average about $9,000, just below the national average, and students also have the option to enroll in over 1,000 online courses. Another notable public school is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which is one of the country’s oldest universities.
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The 25,000 students who attend UNC will walk the same halls as Francis Collins, Thomas Wolfe, and former president James K. Polk. North Carolina’s private schools have also made a name for themselves, including the well-known Duke University located in Durham. Here, students can earn degrees in some of the top programs, like nursing, political science, and business. Additionally, students can attend one of the many small schools which serve less than 5,000 students, like Campbell University in Buies Creek, or a religiously affiliated school, like Mid-Atlantic Christian University in Elizabeth City.
From its coastal beaches to its lush forests, it’s no wonder the Wright Brothers dreamed of taking flight over North Carolina. This state is rich with history, scenic views, and famous people who once called it home, like John Coltrane and Nicholas Sparks. Students hoping to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree also have the option of choosing from over 100 schools in the Tar Heel State.
Whether you prefer ocean views or wooded forests, North Carolina has something for everyone. Discover more about the state’s higher learning options.
There are 22 affordable colleges and universities in North Carolina with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in North Carolina is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
20%
Graduation
90%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1385/30
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
47%
Graduation
84%
Student body
31K
Median SAT/ACT
1320/29
North Carolina State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
66%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1195/24
University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
94%
Graduation
66%
Student body
24K
Median SAT/ACT
1095/21
East Carolina University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
91%
Graduation
58%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1070/22
University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
51%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
930/17
North Carolina Central University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
85%
Graduation
73%
Student body
20K
Median SAT/ACT
1155/24
Appalachian State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
57%
Graduation
53%
Student body
12K
Median SAT/ACT
1045/19
North Carolina A&T State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$4K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
61%
Student body
11K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/22
Western Carolina University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
65%
Graduation
16%
Student body
1K
Shaw University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
65%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1165/24
University of North Carolina at Asheville’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
72%
Student body
16K
Median SAT/ACT
1235/25
University of North Carolina Wilmington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$5K
Acceptance
82%
Graduation
37%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
920/18
Fayetteville State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
81%
Graduation
46%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
965/18
Winston-Salem State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
43%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1000/19
University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Acceptance
77%
Graduation
40%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
920/17
Elizabeth City State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
75%
Graduation
22%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
860/14
St. Augustine's University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in: