If you are looking for the best affordable colleges in North Carolina for bachelor’s degrees, you have found the right place. There are so many reasons to love the state, from the fun beach towns to the temperate weather, that it is surprising North Carolina isn’t overflowing with residents. North Carolina is also considered a top performer when it comes to its top-value colleges and universities, mainly due to the state’s renowned public school system, the University of North Carolina and its crown jewel, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. From large state universities to small private and religious colleges, there is an affordable university in North Carolina for you.
Methodology
Our goal is to help students pursuing an affordable degree in North Carolina and provide information related to three core metrics: student success, affordability, and class size. To accomplish this, we searched for colleges and universities in North Carolina offering bachelor’s degrees using the College Navigator website at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Using the information provided for each school, we awarded points based on factors such as tuition rates, graduation rates, and student-to-faculty ratios. If a school tied in point values, we broke the tie based on the lowest-cost tuition. Below, we break down the methodology and explain the way in which we awarded points to each college in North Carolina.
Average Cost of Attendance
As you set out to select the program and school that best meets your professional goals and academic needs, it is important to avoid the temptation of choosing the cheapest degree in North Carolina just for the sake of saving money. While low-cost programs abound in the state, you also need to ensure that the school offers the major in which you are interested as well as any other features you are looking for in your college experience. For this article, we ranked tuition based on the cost of one year of study for in-state students with a 15-hour course load per semester, as stated with NCES.
Points:
Under $7,500: 3 points
$7,500 to $15,000: 2 points
$15,001 and above: 1 point
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Student-to-faculty ratios give us a better understanding of the class sizes prospective students can expect. When narrowing down your options, keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all school, and that some may prefer large state universities, while others thrive in small private colleges. For this article, we awarded the highest number of possible points to colleges and universities with student-to-faculty ratios of 10 or fewer students per professor, with data provided from NCES.
Points:
10:1 or less: 3 points
11:1 to 15:1: 2 points
Greater than 15:1: 1 point
Graduation Rate
Graduation rates are a useful way of determining whether students are satisfied with any given school and/or program. We used graduation rates from NCES as a metric for ranking student success since students who are happy with their program and school are more likely to continue their studies and earn their degree. Conversely, students who are unhappy due to unaffordable tuition, poor or nonexistent academic support, or unhelpful faculty are more likely to leave and finish their degrees elsewhere. Therefore, schools with the highest graduation rates earned the highest number of points based on the following ranges.
Points
More than 50 percent: 3 points
Between 30 percent and 50 percent: 2 points
Less than 30 percent: 1 point
Ranking Top 20 Best Affordable Colleges in North Carolina
20. North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina
Points: 6
School Website
Established in 1910, North Carolina Central University is an affordable accredited university in North Carolina. This best-value public HBCU, located in Durham, North Carolina, is a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. NCCU enrolls 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students within the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, and the School of Education. Undergraduate students may choose from cheap degrees in nearly 100 fields of study, and graduate students may pursue programs in more than 40 disciplines. Popular inexpensive academic options include criminal justice, family studies and consumer sciences, business, psychology, nursing, and biology. In addition, students seeking online learning from a low-cost North Carolina college can choose from seven degree programs delivered through web-based platforms and off-campus locations. On-campus activities include athletics, student engagement and leadership, the Student Government Association, fraternity and sorority life, art museum exhibits, and various clubs and organizations.
In-State Tuition: $6,464
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,171
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Graduation Rate: 46 percent
19. University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, North Carolina
Points: 6
School Website
Founded as a school for the education of American Indians in 1887, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke now serves a diverse student body from 18 countries. UNC Pembroke is comprised of seven colleges and schools: Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences, Graduate School, Honors College, and University College. UNC Pembroke offers 58 academic majors, including 41 low-cost undergraduate and 17 graduate degrees in popular majors such as criminal justice, physical education teaching and coaching, biology, sociology, business, social work, and nursing. All of UNC Pembroke’s affordable degrees provide students with a strong foundation in the liberal arts as well as countless internship opportunities. Outside of the classroom, students will find many opportunities to get involved at the Hawk’s Nest, UNC Pembroke’s recreation center.
In-State Tuition: $3,418
Out-of-State Tuition: $7,418
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Graduation Rate: 41 percent
18. Bennett College
Greensboro, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
Bennett College is a private HBCU for women located on a 60-acre campus in Greensboro, North Carolina. Founded in 1873 for the purpose of educating freedmen and training both women and men as teachers, it became a four-year women’s college in 1926. Today, it is one of only two HBCUs in the country that enrolls only women, with a student body of 465 undergraduates. The school is made up of two divisions, the Division of Arts and Sciences and the Division of Professional Studies, that focus on five areas of low-cost college courses in North Carolina: communications, innovation and entrepreneurship, global citizenship, civic engagement, and leadership. Popular affordable degrees at Bennett include biology, the liberal arts and humanities, social work, business, journalism, and psychology. Students may participate in a number of clubs and organizations geared around academics, interests and hobbies, and Greek life.
In-State Tuition: $18,513
Out-of-State Tuition: $18,513
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Graduation Rate: 32 percent
17. Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary
Charlotte, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary is an evangelical Christian seminary and college located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Established in 1996 as New Life Theological Seminary, the school offers a number of inexpensive associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees as well as one doctoral program. At the undergraduate level, students may pursue affordable degrees such as a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies or a degree in biblical studies with concentrations in biblical languages, the Bible, or theology. A bachelor’s degree in urban Christian ministries with concentrations in cross-cultural studies, Christian education, or counseling is also available. Students may choose to participate in the Student Government Association or attend weekly on-campus chapel services designed to promote spiritual development.
In-State Tuition: $10,368
Out-of-State Tuition: $10,368
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 3:1
Graduation Rate: 31 percent
16. Piedmont International University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
Piedmont International University, established in 1945, is a private Christian Bible college and graduate school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Piedmont is comprised of the Temple Baptist Seminary as well as six schools: Ministry, Bible and Theology, Leadership, Education, Business, Arts and Sciences. At the undergraduate level, students may choose from a number of affordable college degrees in nonsecular areas of study such as ministry, church music, and biblical studies as well as secular fields such as elementary education, sign language interpreting, health and physical education, secondary English education, and business administration. Piedmont is unique in that classes are held four days per week Tuesday through Friday, allowing students an extra day for family time, studies, ministry, or exploring nearby Old Salem, the oldest Moravian settlement in the country, and the impressive BB&T stadium, home of the Winston Dash baseball team.
In-State Tuition: $9,920
Out-of-State Tuition: $9,920
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Graduation Rate: 36 percent
15. North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a best-value college in North Carolina. A member of the University of North Carolina System, NCSU, is a space-, sea-, and land-grant institution that comes together with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University to form the three corners of the Research Triangle. NCSU enrolls more than 34,000 students in 12 colleges representing all major academic disciplines. NCSU’s notable inexpensive degrees are available in environmental technology and management, nuclear engineering, and interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in women and gender studies, self-design, and Africana studies. In addition, NCSU ranked as the 20th best institution in the country for science, technology, engineering, and math, according to Forbes. Students also have many opportunities to put their learning into practice through co-ops and internships with an array of industry and business partners.
In-State Tuition: $9,101
Out-of-State Tuition: $28,444
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Graduation Rate: 81 percent
14. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a top-value accredited college in North Carolina. Chartered in 1789, it is the flagship institution of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System and one of three schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the country. Enrolling more than 29,000 students, this cheap North Carolina college is a global leader known for its ground-breaking research and innovative teaching, offering 74 bachelor’s, 104 master’s, 65 doctoral, and seven professional degree programs through the College of Arts and Sciences and 13 schools. Notable academic options include cheap undergraduate degrees in biomedical and health sciences engineering, Asian studies, and peace, war, and defense. This high-value college also offers more than 300 study-abroad options in more than 70 countries.
In-State Tuition: $8,987
Out-of-State Tuition: $35,170
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Graduation Rate: 39 percent
13. Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
Appalachian State University is one of the most affordable colleges in North Carolina. Located in Boone, North Carolina, it was founded in 1899 as a teacher’s college, the school joined the University of North Carolina System in 1971. Recognized by Money Magazine, The Princeton Review, and U.S. News & World Report, Appalachian State offers a variety of inexpensive degrees in North Carolina both on-campus and online, including more than 150 cheap bachelor’s degrees and 70 low-cost graduate programs. Known for successfully leading small classes and implementing an integrative, interdisciplinary, and innovative curriculum, faculty members are dedicated to student mentorship and research and invested in new technologies and strategies. The school’s setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains provides four fabulous seasons in which students can enjoy the great outdoors as well as a stunning backdrop for research opportunities.
In-State Tuition: $7,364
Out-of-State Tuition: $22,171
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Graduation Rate: 72 percent
12. University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, located in Greensboro, was established in 1891 as the State Normal and Industrial School. With more than 125 cheap degree programs, students are sure to find a home in one of the school’s six schools and colleges that offer bachelor’s degrees. Popular economical degrees include business, nursing, psychology, and communications as well as biology, exercise science, human development, sociology, and the liberal arts and humanities. The school is also known for its UNCG in 3 program that allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree at an accelerated pace, graduating in three years rather than four. Participating majors include social work, information systems, entrepreneurship, and accounting. Campus life at this most affordable college in North Carolina is engaging and diverse, ranging from lecture and concert series to dance performance groups, drama, and 17 intercollegiate athletic teams.
In-State Tuition: $7,331
Out-of-State Tuition: $22,490
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Graduation Rate: 53 percent
11. East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
Located in Greenville, North Carolina, East Carolina University is the fourth-largest university by enrollment in the state. Founded as a teacher training school in 1907, ECU enrolls more than 28,700 students from 48 states, the District of Columbia, and 44 countries. ECU offers 84 affordable bachelor’s degrees, 71 master’s programs, 13 research doctoral and five professional doctoral degrees, and a number of departmental certificates and distance education North Carolina students seek for flexibility. Students seeking cheap college courses in North Carolina can pursue top undergraduate majors such as nursing, management, biology, communication, and marketing as well as public health studies, elementary education, criminal justice, psychology, and industrial technology. Campus life is vibrant at ECU, with more than 475 student clubs and organizations, more than 2,000 events and programs, and 141 local community partner organizations. ECU is also known for its volunteerism and community service, with 110,000 students performing more than 21,700 student service hours annually.
In-State Tuition: $7,188
Out-of-State Tuition: $23,465
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Graduation Rate: 65 percent
10. University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
The University of North Carolina Wilmington in Wilmington, North Carolina is recognized as the top four-year college in North Carolina for veterans as well as the sixth-best public regional university in the South. Established in 1947, the school is a member of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System. UNCW confers 55 majors comprised of low-cost college courses as well as 35 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees to more than 16,700 students. The school’s most popular affordable majors by enrollment include business, nursing, psychology, communications, and biology. UNCW strongly emphasizes research, providing undergraduates with many opportunities through its Center for Support of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. On-campus students interested in the arts may enjoy master classes, workshops, artists in residence, and performances.
In-State Tuition: $7,091
Out-of-State Tuition: $21,156
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Graduation Rate: 73 percent
9. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
Established in 1946, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the largest institution of higher learning in the region and the fastest-growing institution by enrollment in the University of North Carolina System. UNC Charlotte confers diverse majors in 90 affordable bachelor’s degree programs and more than 100 inexpensive graduate programs in a variety of fields, including child and family development, communication, education, art, psychology, and engineering. Unique programs include studies in systems engineering, sleep science and neurodiagnostics, meteorology, and fire and safety engineering technology. The school’s athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I, and students have many opportunities for community engagement through service learning, internships, and volunteerism. Students at this high-value college in North Carolina can also choose from more than 350 student organizations inside and outside of the classroom.
In-State Tuition: $6,853
Out-of-State Tuition: $20,287
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Graduation Rate: 59 percent
8. North Carolina A&T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is a cheap public HBCU and research university located on a 188-acre campus in Greensboro, North Carolina. Founded in 1891 by the North Carolina General Assembly and known simply as A&T, the school is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System. Although NC A&T is known for its focus on agriculture and engineering, it offers other in-demand areas of study such as the social and behavioral sciences and biomedical research. The school’s Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering provides students with opportunities for research in computational nanotechnology, nanomaterials, and nanobiology. Students seeking an affordable North Carolina university can also choose from undergraduate degree programs in non-engineering fields such as accounting, business, political science, music, the liberal arts, and English as well as agriculture, animal science, environmental studies, and agribusiness.
In-State Tuition: $6,612
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,822
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Graduation Rate: 53 percent
7. Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
Winston-Salem State University is one of the cheapest accredited colleges in North Carolina. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, WSSU is also a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the top HBCU in the state. WSSU confers high-quality North Carolina degree programs that prepare graduates to serve and lead in their communities and professions. Students can choose from more than 40 undergraduate majors and 10 graduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees, through its School of Health Sciences and College of Arts, Sciences, Business, and Education. Popular inexpensive degree areas of study for students seeking a low-cost university in North Carolina include nursing, the liberal arts and humanities, healthcare management, criminal justice, and psychology. Faculty members are recognized for getting to know their students and providing close academic support as well as research expertise. The campus is home to the Diggs Gallery, one of the top 10 African-American galleries in the country that portray contemporary and early African-American Art. Off-campus, students enjoy access to the culture and history of the Winston-Salem region.
In-State Tuition: $5,904
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,151
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Graduation Rate: 48 percent
6. Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
Located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Fayetteville State University is an inexpensive public HBCU and a member of both the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the University of North Carolina System. Enrolling more than 6,200 students, including nearly 5,400 undergraduates, FSU confers 33 low-cost bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, one doctorate, and 10 inexpensive undergraduate online degree-completion program. According to FSU, students can pursue a cheap college degree in North Carolina in top majors include nursing, business administration, and psychology. Approximately 80 percent of full-time faculty hold a first professional or doctoral degree. The school’s 156-acre campus is home to 38 major buildings, four of which were erected in the last decade, as well as 10 NCAA athletic teams, including a competitive football program that has earned multiple championships, a biweekly newspaper, and an online radio station. With a focus on the safety of its students, FSU boasts the lowest crime rate out of the entire UNC System.
In-State Tuition: $5,249
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,857
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Graduation Rate: 35 percent
5. Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
Located in Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is an accredited university in North Carolina and a member of the University of North Carolina System. Established as Cullowhee Academy in 1889, WCU enrolls more than 11,000 students from 48 states and 35 countries who are seeking the cheapest colleges in North Carolina. Students can choose from more than 120 low-cost undergraduate degrees, minors, and concentrations, and they benefit from small class sizes and experienced faculty dedicated to mentorship. Areas of study include high-demand fields such as business, humanities, the arts, education, healthcare, and engineering. Campus life is comprised of numerous art performances and more than 170 student clubs and organizations. WCU has also earned the title of “Top Adventure College” from Blue Ridge Outdoor Magazine not only due to its location but also because of its Base Camp Cullowhee program that provides students with outdoor equipment rentals, experiential education opportunities, and outdoor recreation trips.
In-State Tuition: $3,926
Out-of-State Tuition: $7,926
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Graduation Rate: 62 percent
4. Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Points: 7
School Website
Founded in 1891, Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina is an economical public HBCU and a member-school of both the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the University of North Carolina System. Through several distinguished degrees in the arts and sciences, selected pre-professional and professional areas of study, and master’s degrees across 10 schools and colleges, ECSU exposes students to a global education in an intimate instructional environment. The school prioritizes human health, wellness, technological skills, and innovation, and it takes a particular interest in the development of aviation and natural science programs. In fact, ECSU confers the only four-year aviation education program in the state. Despite being a high-value college in North Carolina offering the most affordable and cheapest tuition on our list, it boasts special programs and high-tech facilities that defy its budget, including an e-mentoring and internship initiative as well as an onsite planetarium.
In-State Tuition: $3,194
Out-of-State Tuition: $7,194
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Graduation Rate: 42 percent
3. University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Points: 8
School Website
The University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is a best-value public arts conservatory and a member-school of the University of North Carolina System. UNCSA awards affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees to nearly 1,300 students each year, including 250 high school, 890 undergraduate, and 152 graduate students. Established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1963, UNCSA offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in dance, design and production, drama, and filmmaking as well as a Bachelor of Music degree. Specifically, the film school offers seven specialization areas, including directing, cinematography, and animation. Musicians can choose from 10 specialization areas, including strings, piano, composition, and brass. All students attending this affordable North Carolina college benefit from a well-rounded curriculum centered around a liberal arts foundation as well as concentrations in their respective areas of study. Small studio sizes and a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio allow UNCSA to facilitate close relationships between students, peers, and faculty.
In-State Tuition: $9,371
Out-of-State Tuition: $25,514
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
Graduation Rate: 73 percent
2. University of North Carolina at Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Points: 8
School Website
The University of North Carolina at Asheville is the only school in the University of North Carolina System focused on the liberal arts. Established in 1927, the school’s curriculum promotes workforce preparation, critical thinking, and academic rigor. Students learn outside of the classroom via service-learning projects, study-abroad programs, internships, and faculty-mentored research projects. At the undergraduate level, UNC Asheville confers inexpensive bachelor’s degrees in diverse fields ranging from sociology, new media, and English to environmental studies and economics. Campus life includes career workshops, art exhibitions, concerts, and outdoor adventures, including kayaking and caving. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the seventh-best national public liberal arts college in the country as well as a “Best Buy University” by The Fiske Guide to Colleges, UNC Asheville is one of the most affordable colleges in North Carolina.
In-State Tuition: $7,145
Out-of-State Tuition: $23,868
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Graduation Rate: 63 percent
1. Grace College of Divinity
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Points: 9
School Website
Founded in 2000, Grace College of Divinity is a top-value private Christian institution of higher learning that confers low-cost degrees for nontraditional working adults at its main campus in Fayetteville, North Carolina as well as three additional learning sites in Southern Pines, Hawaii and Louisiana. GCD’s main campus is situated on the broadcast location of Manna Church, one of the country’s top 100 fastest-growing churches. Undergraduates looking to pursue an affordable university degree in North Carolina can choose from five Bachelor of Arts degrees, including programs in worship ministry, intercultural studies, divinity, Christian leadership, and Christian counseling. GCD partners with mPact churches to allow all programs of study to be completed entirely online. Outside of the classroom, students may lend their skills to The Theological Journal, GCD’s online publication that accepts articles revolving around topics such as exegetical, biblical, or historical theology.
In-State Tuition: $6,100
Out-of-State Tuition: $6,100
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Graduation Rate: 62 percent
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Most In-Demand Careers in North Carolina for Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree?
According to the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC), a premier college access program that strives to increase the college-going rate in North Carolina, there are a number of ways to consider occupational outlooks across the state. As you are thinking about a bachelor’s degree from an affordable North Carolina college, consider how certain fields will grow, decline, or remain the same in order to choose the best major for your professional goals. The CFNC indicates that the following are the top 10 in-demand occupations for bachelor’s recipients in North Carolina with strong career prospects based on wages, growth rate, and the number of openings between 2014 and 2024. We listed these occupations in order from the highest percentage of annual growth to the lowest.
- Operations Research Analysts: 3.56 percent
- Personal Financial Advisors: 3.50 percent
- Computer Systems Analysts: 2.70 percent
- Information Security Analysts: 2.53 percent
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists: 2.44 percent
- Computer and Information Systems Managers: 2.40 percent
- Financial Examiners: 2.36 percent
- Software Developers, Applications: 2.22 percent
- Marketing Managers: 2.19 percent
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: 2.17 percent
What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs in North Carolina?
As you continue to narrow down your options for the best affordable colleges in North Carolina, it is important to understand salary expectations for your specific career path. Even if you are still deciding between majors, it is possible that knowing how much you could stand to turn may help influence your decision one way or another. We turned to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) who calculated occupational wage and employment estimates using figures collected from all regions and industry sectors in North Carolina. According to the BLS, the annual mean wage across the state was $47,200 as of May 2018. The top five highest-paying occupations include anesthesiologists, surgeons, orthodontists, general internists, and obstetricians and gynecologists.
However, for the purpose of this article, we wanted to look at occupations that graduates could pursue either with a bachelor’s degree alone or with an undergraduate degree and additional experience and/or training. According to the BLS, the following are 10 high-paying, six-figure positions that you can obtain right after earning a degree from an affordable North Carolina college or university:
- Chief Executives: $210,050
- Natural Sciences Managers: $153,490
- Financial Managers: $149,710
- Sales Managers: $147,690
- Marketing Managers: $145,180
- Computer and Information Systems Managers: $142,330
- Architectural and Engineering Managers: $140,980
- Personal Financial Advisors: $134,860
- Advertising and Promotions Managers: $132,250
- General and Operations Managers: $131,600
What are the Best Schools in North Carolina for Bachelor’s Recipients?
If you are looking to earn a low-cost bachelor’s degree from a college or university in North Carolina, it is important to understand how the program you choose will affect you in the long run in terms of salary earnings. After all, college is one of the most expensive purchases you will make in your lifetime, so you need to make the best decision about your financial investment that you can. Therefore, we compiled a list of the top five highest-paying schools in North Carolina for undergraduates with a bachelor’s degree based on early career pay, mid-career pay, and 20-year net returns on investment (ROI), or the amount you will earn over the course of 20 years after earning your degree, according to PayScale. We ranked the schools in order from the highest ROI to the lowest ROI, and the figures below were calculated using in-state tuition rates for bachelor’s degree programs without financial aid.
- 1. North Carolina State University at Raleigh
– 20-Year Net ROI: $465,000
– Early Career Pay: $55,800
– Mid-Career Pay: $104,700 - 2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
– 20-Year Net ROI: $374,000
– Early Career Pay: $53,500
– Mid-Career Pay: $97,800 - 3. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
– 20-Year Net ROI: $362,000
– Early Career Pay: $51,500
– Mid-Career Pay: $90,900 - 4. North Carolina A&T State University
– 20-Year Net ROI: $325,000
– Early Career Pay: $51,800
– Mid-Career Pay: $89,800 - 5. East Carolina University
– 20-Year Net ROI: $239,000
– Early Career Pay: $47,200
– Mid-Career Pay: $83,800
The Tar Heel State is home to a broad selection of top-value universities and colleges, the famous Research Triangle, and hundreds of square miles of mountains, rolling hills, and some of the most breathtaking beaches on the East Coast. As the largest institution of higher learning in the state, North Carolina State University stands apart from other institutions not only for its affordable tuition, but also its programs in the life sciences, textiles and design, agriculture, and engineering, its $465,000 20-year net ROI, and the highest early and mid-career salaries on our list. If you are looking for the best affordable colleges in North Carolina for a bachelor’s degree, you have plenty of options in terms of top-notch institutions that deliver the most value for your money.
AS Staff
This concludes our ranking of the 20 Best Affordable Colleges in North Carolina for Bachelor’s Degree for 2020.
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