Best colleges under $20,000 a year in North Carolina
The highest-rated colleges whose average yearly price after grants is under $20,000.
Best colleges under $20,000 a year in North Carolina9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in North Carolina.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Net price (average yearly cost after grants) under $20,000 from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Davidson College
Davidson, NC · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $17,379 a year
- 91% graduate
- 2
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $11,655 a year
- 91% graduate
- 3
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $17,303 a year
- 85% graduate
- 4Tie
Manna University
Fayetteville, NC · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $15,210 a year
- 80% graduate
- 4Tie
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Winston Salem, NC · PublicExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $14,906 a year
- 78% graduate
- 6
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
Concord, NC · Private nonprofitExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $17,618 a year
- 71% graduate
- 7
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · PublicTop 15% for graduation
- Net price $16,836 a year
- 75% graduate
- 8
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · PublicTop 22% for graduation
- Net price $15,435 a year
- 69% graduate
- 9
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC · Public#17 in North Carolina
- Net price $15,739 a year
- 63% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davidson College | $17,379 | $18,688 | $81,400 | 91% |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $11,655 | $14,000 | $72,200 | 91% |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | $17,303 | $20,121 | $68,758 | 85% |
| Manna University | $15,210 | $13,450 | — | 80% |
| University of North Carolina School of the Arts | $14,906 | $23,870 | $38,357 | 78% |
| Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | $17,618 | $16,000 | $58,708 | 71% |
| Appalachian State University | $16,836 | $20,231 | $51,836 | 75% |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | $15,435 | $21,500 | $57,289 | 69% |
| East Carolina University | $15,739 | $22,750 | $55,146 | 63% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.