North Carolina

Colleges in North Carolina: what they cost, and what graduates earn

26 North Carolina universities with published federal data, teaching about 185,376 students. Median in-state tuition $7,620, median graduate earnings $48,809 ten years after entry.

Median tuition$7,620in-state, before aid
Median earnings$48,80910 yrs after entry
Paying loans down59%national 65%
Median SAT1214where published

Cheapest universities in North CarolinaLowest published in-state tuition.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Vance-Granville Community College Henderson $1,944 $34,304 — 29% —
Lenoir Community College Kinston $2,578 $33,866 — — —
Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville $2,628 $31,861 $11,500 18% —
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke $3,648 $43,407 $25,000 44% 1056
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville $4,353 $40,144 $22,987 29% 959
Western Carolina University Cullowhee $4,630 $49,458 $21,868 59% 1157
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City $6,536 $40,026 $21,463 26% 1019
North Carolina Central University Durham $6,699 $42,968 $28,250 25% 1050

Highest graduate earnings in North CarolinaMedian pay ten years after entry.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Duke University Durham $68,758 $97,800 $13,000 89% 1548
Davidson College Davidson $64,410 $81,400 $18,688 84% 1469
Wake Forest University Winston-Salem $67,642 $78,158 $21,500 88% 1475
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill $8,994 $72,200 $14,000 81% 1439
High Point University High Point $45,312 $61,389 $24,575 70% 1288
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte $7,239 $57,289 $21,500 59% 1231
East Carolina University Greenville $7,361 $55,146 $22,750 63% 1180
University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington $7,277 $54,967 $19,500 63% 1287

Fastest debt payback in North CarolinaYears of salary premium needed to clear the median debt.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Duke University Durham $68,758 $97,800 $13,000 89% 1548
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill $8,994 $72,200 $14,000 81% 1439
Davidson College Davidson $64,410 $81,400 $18,688 84% 1469
Wake Forest University Winston-Salem $67,642 $78,158 $21,500 88% 1475
High Point University High Point $45,312 $61,389 $24,575 70% 1288
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte $7,239 $57,289 $21,500 59% 1231
University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington $7,277 $54,967 $19,500 63% 1287
Campbell University Buies Creek $41,600 $54,886 $22,500 57% —

Most selective universities in North CarolinaHighest average SAT of admitted students.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Duke University Durham $68,758 $97,800 $13,000 89% 1548
Wake Forest University Winston-Salem $67,642 $78,158 $21,500 88% 1475
Davidson College Davidson $64,410 $81,400 $18,688 84% 1469
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill $8,994 $72,200 $14,000 81% 1439
Warren Wilson College Swannanoa $41,500 $36,260 $25,000 66% 1350
High Point University High Point $45,312 $61,389 $24,575 70% 1288
University of North Carolina at Wilmington Wilmington $7,277 $54,967 $19,500 63% 1287
University of North Carolina at Asheville Asheville $7,501 $44,030 $20,500 60% 1251

Scholarships at North Carolina universities

Aid you never repay is the cheapest money in the whole calculation.

USA Duke University Karsh International Scholarship 2025 (Full... Karsh International Scholarships 2025 at Duke University in US... Duke University USA Summer Research Scholarship Program 2025 (... USA Western Carolina University Scholarships 2026 University of North Carolina Morehead-Cain Scholarship 2026, U... Duke University Karsh International Scholarship 2027, USA (Ful...
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Every North Carolina university we hold data for

Appalachian State University Campbell University Davidson College Duke University East Carolina University Elizabeth City State University Fayetteville State University Fayetteville Technical Community College Guilford College High Point University Johnson C. Smith University Lenoir Community College Meredith College Montreat College North Carolina Central University Pfeiffer University The University of North Carolina at Greensboro The University of North Carolina at Pembroke University of North Carolina at Asheville University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Carolina at Wilmington Vance-Granville Community College Wake Forest University Warren Wilson College Western Carolina University

Studying in North Carolina: common questions

How much does college cost in North Carolina?
The median North Carolina university charges $7,620 in-state and $24,500 out-of-state, with a full cost of attendance around $26,301. After aid, families under $30,000 pay a median $9,411.
What do graduates of North Carolina universities earn?
A median $48,809 ten years after entry, against median debt of $22,625.
Do students in North Carolina repay their loans?
59% of borrowers at the median North Carolina university are paying their balance down three years after leaving, against 65% nationally.
What SAT score do North Carolina universities expect?
The median North Carolina university that publishes scores reports an average SAT of 1214. Many are test-optional and publish nothing.
All states North Carolina debt vs salary Cheapest US tuition Which degree pays best

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Universities without published figures are not listed.