The 10 Cheapest Colleges in North Carolina
What’s Covered:
- The 10 Cheapest Colleges in North Carolina
- Tips for Saving Money on College
- How Much Will You Pay for College?
Between the Outer Banks, the skyscrapers of Charlotte, and the densely forested Appalachian Mountains, North Carolina has a lot to offer. Nestled within this diverse range of settings are many affordable public and private universities. Keep scrolling south to learn about the ten cheapest options!
The 10 Cheapest Colleges in North Carolina
This list is based on each college’s tuition. Public schools on the list are generally less expensive than private schools, particularly for in-state students; however, private colleges can sometimes be more affordable than public colleges if they offer generous financial aid.
1. University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $3,648/$7,648
Location: Pembroke, NC
Acceptance Rate: 92%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,485
UNC Pembroke offers a small, tight-knit liberal arts community in a rustic setting. The campus is located near Lumbee Tribal Land and has been serving this Native American population since its founding. As a result, it has a highly diverse student body and top programs in American Indian Studies. Education and School Administration are some of its other degree program specialties.
Learn more about the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and what it takes to get accepted.
2. Fayetteville State University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $4,353/$8,353
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Undergrduate Enrollment: 5,845
Fayetteville State University (FSU) is an HBCU with top programs in Geospatial Science, Nursing, and Education. Students can enrich their learning through unique research opportunities, such as the FSU RISE program, a federally funded program by the National Institute of Health and Human Services aimed at increasing the number of students from underrepresented groups completing STEM degrees.
FSU also offers ample opportunities to explore the world, from community service opportunities in the local area to a wide array of study abroad programs.
Learn more about Fayetteville State University and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Western Carolina University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $4,630/$8,630
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 10,009
Western Carolina University (WCU) is a place for adventure. Surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains, WCU offers unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation and experiential learning. Excellent student support services help students make the most of their adventures—both inside and outside the classroom—complemented by study abroad programs and a strong on-campus commitment to global engagement.
Learn more about Western Carolina University and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Winston-Salem State University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $6,126/$16,782
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Undergrduate Enrollment: 4,260
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is an HBCU with a commitment to produce the next generation of servant leaders. It is ranked highly for offering social mobility, bang for buck, and 11 research centers. Strong school spirit is present on campus—especially when students cheer on the Rams during sports games.
Learn more about Winston-Salem State University and what it takes to get accepted.
5. Elizabeth City State University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $6,536/$10,536
Location: Elizabeth City, NC
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,048
Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is an HBCU that was founded as a teacher’s college. It continues to offer excellent education programs along with other unique programs, including the only undergraduate aviation degree program in North Carolina. ECSU also stands out for its strong school spirit, especially during Viking homecoming and Viking Spirit Awards celebration.
Learn more about Elizabeth City State University and what it takes to get accepted.
6. North Carolina Central University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $6,699/$19,735
Location: Durham, NC
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Undergrduate Enrollment: 5,973
Located in the vibrant city of Durham, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is an HBCU that offers degree programs in nearly 100 fields of study. With two research institutes that focus on biotechnology and a location in the Research Triangle Park, NCCU is also an excellent place to do research. It’s a fantastic place to be an athlete as well—its athletics programs provide students with Eagle pride.
Learn more about North Carolina Central University and what it takes to get accepted.
7. North Carolina A&T State University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $6,813/$20,673
Location: Greensboro, NC
Acceptance Rate: 46%
Undergrduate Enrollment: 12,216
Students at NC A&T are called “Aggies,” a reference to the school’s founding as an agriculture school. Since then, NC A&T has continued to offer top programs in Agricultural Sciences, and it has become the nation’s largest HBCU. It also stands out for its Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering.
Learn more about North Carolina A&T State University and what it takes to get accepted.
8. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $7,239/$22,492
Location: Charlotte, NC
Acceptance Rate: 80%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 23,981
UNC Charlotte offers a picturesque campus environment in the lively city of Charlotte. Through the school’s renowned business program, students can capitalize on the university’s location in the second-largest banking hub in the U.S. UNC Charlotte stands out for its Interdisciplinary Studies program and strong support for student organizations.
Learn more about the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and what it takes to get accepted.
9. University of North Carolina Asheville
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $7,501/$24,849
Location: Asheville, NC
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Undergrduate Enrollment: 2,907
UNC Asheville is a top public liberal arts university nestled within the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. It pairs this with a tight-knit campus community and a small student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1. UNC Asheville offers several unique majors and minors, including Arts Management and Entrepreneurship, Ancient Mediterranean Studies, and New Media.
Learn more about the University of North Carolina at Asheville and what it takes to get accepted.
10. Appalachian State University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $7,579/$25,212
Location: Boone, NC
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Undergrduate Enrollment: 19,405
Appalachian State University—commonly known as App State—is well known for its strong focus on sustainability, study abroad opportunities, and access to skiing. App State’s Mountaineers have over 150 undergraduate major options to choose from, as well as the opportunity to earn an accelerated master’s degree in five years.
The campus is located in the idyllic mountain town of Boone. The university has a friendly campus culture that encourages adventure—inside the classroom and the world.
Learn more about Appalachian State University and what it takes to get accepted.
Tips for Saving Money on College
Below are some ways that you can make the cheapest colleges in NC even more affordable:
Apply for Schools that Meet 100% of Demonstrated Financial Need
Every college determines how much financial aid to award a student based on two factors: how much their family can reasonably pay for college and the cost of attending that specific college. Schools that meet 100% of demonstrated financial need are among the most affordable colleges, since they guarantee that the cost of attendance will not exceed a family’s income and assets.
Attend an In-State Public University
Going to college in the state where you are a resident will allow you to pay in-state tuition, which is significantly less than out-of-state tuition. From the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to the University of Texas schools, there are numerous affordable college options right near home.
Commute to School
Many colleges will allow students to live off-campus after a year or two of living in a dorm. Commuting to class makes it easier to find more affordable housing than dorms and rely less on dining hall meal plans, especially if you live at home.
How Much Will You Pay for College?
The cost of attending one of the colleges listed here can vary significantly from the sticker price. If you want to get an estimate of how much you will pay for any college on your list after financial aid is calculated, check out our free Financial Aid Calculator.
Our free Chancing Engine will also predict your odds of admission based on your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and demographics. With both of these free tools, you can improve your applicant profile and plan for the costs of college!
