The Cheapest Colleges in North Carolina by In State Tuition for 2023
If you're looking for an affordable university and you are a resident of North Carolina these are the least expensive in state colleges to consider.
Affordable doesn't simply mean finding a school with a low published in state tuition. It's important to research the typical financial aid package offered by a school, the average net price actually paid and most importantly the quality of education you receive for your tuition dollar. Sometimes a school which appears cheap based on list price can be a poor relative value if it can't award competitive financial aid or doesn't offer a quality education. The list below is a ranking on published in state tuition with no consideration of actual average price paid or academic quality of the school. Please see the CollegeCalc best value colleges in North Carolina list for a ranking which considers school quality and average net price.
The most affordable four year colleges in North Carolina are listed by one year's in state tuition list price for the 2021/2022 school year.
What is the cheapest college in North Carolina? Leading the colleges list is Western Carolina University in Cullowhee with an in state tuition of $1,000.
Academic Rating is a CollegeCalc rating of a college's overall academics and effectiveness. The score ranges from zero to one hundred, with fifty being the median for all eligible colleges. Dollar value is a measure of a school's academic rating compared with the average price paid by students. Colleges which are ranked "n/a" didn't report sufficient data to formulate a score. Learn more about our rating methodology.
All price data are reprinted from the U.S. Department of Education's 2021/2022 IPEDS Survey and reflect reported costs for the 2021/2022 academic year.
| College | In State Tuition | Rating | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
#1 Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, Public Not For Profit |
$1,000 | 44 | 29 |
#2 University of North Carolina at PembrokePembroke, Public Not For Profit |
$1,000 | 26 | 9 |
#3 Elizabeth City State UniversityElizabeth City, Public Not For Profit |
$1,000 | 26 | 78 |
#4 Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville, Public Not For Profit |
$2,982 | 24 | 52 |
#5 Winston Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, Public Not For Profit |
$3,401 | 27 | 14 |
#6 North Carolina A & T State UniversityGreensboro, Public Not For Profit |
$3,540 | 29 | 37 |
#7 North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, Public Not For Profit |
$3,728 | 30 | 32 |
#8 University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, Public Not For Profit |
$3,812 | 53 | 37 |
#9 University of North Carolina at AshevilleAsheville, Public Not For Profit |
$4,122 | 54 | 55 |
#10 Appalachian State UniversityBoone, Public Not For Profit |
$4,242 | 52 | 70 |
#11 University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, Public Not For Profit |
$4,422 | 46 | 66 |
#12 University of North Carolina at WilmingtonWilmington, Public Not For Profit |
$4,443 | 60 | 42 |
#13 East Carolina UniversityGreenville, Public Not For Profit |
$4,452 | 45 | 28 |
#14 Apex School of TheologyDurham, Private Not For Profit |
$4,800 | NA | NA |
#15 Carolina Bible CollegeFayetteville, Private Not For Profit |
$5,784 | NA | NA |
#16 Grace College of DivinityFayetteville, Private Not For Profit |
$6,000 | NA | NA |
#17 University of North Carolina School of the ArtsWinston-Salem, Public Not For Profit |
$6,497 | 66 | 85 |
#18 North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, Public Not For Profit |
$6,535 | 78 | 91 |
#19 Shepherds Theological SeminaryCary, Private Not For Profit |
$6,840 | NA | NA |
#20 University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, Public Not For Profit |
$7,019 | 84 | 99 |