College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Lowest net price for middle-income families in North Carolina

Colleges with the lowest average yearly price after grants for families earning $30,000 to $75,000.

Lowest net price for middle-income families in North Carolina17 schools

17 schools qualify, ranked by net price for families earning $30,000–$75,000.

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).
  • Has a net price for families earning $30,000 to $75,000 from federal data (College Scorecard); it covers students who receive federal aid.
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by that net price, lowest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    Duke University

    Durham, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in North Carolina

    • $3,355 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 97% graduate
  2. 2

    Davidson College

    Davidson, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • $6,163 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 91% graduate
  3. 3

    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Chapel Hill, NC · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A+

    • $6,255 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 91% graduate
  4. 4

    Wake Forest University

    Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $7,036 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 89% graduate
  5. 5

    University of North Carolina School of the Arts

    Winston Salem, NC · Public

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $9,378 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 78% graduate
  6. 6

    North Carolina State University at Raleigh

    Raleigh, NC · PublicHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $11,555 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 85% graduate
  7. 7

    University of North Carolina at Charlotte

    Charlotte, NC · Public

    Top 22% for graduation

    • $12,203 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 69% graduate
  8. 8

    Manna University

    Fayetteville, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $12,637 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 80% graduate
  9. 9

    East Carolina University

    Greenville, NC · Public

    #17 in North Carolina

    • $13,274 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 63% graduate
  10. 10

    Appalachian State University

    Boone, NC · Public

    Top 15% for graduation

    • $13,648 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 75% graduate
  11. 11

    Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

    Concord, NC · Private nonprofit

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • $14,729 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 71% graduate
  12. 12

    University of North Carolina Wilmington

    Wilmington, NC · Public

    Excellent: Compass grade A-

    • $15,216 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 71% graduate
  13. 13

    Meredith College

    Raleigh, NC · Private nonprofit

    Top 21% for graduation

    • $18,478 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 70% graduate
  14. 14

    Campbell University

    Buies Creek, NC · Private nonprofit

    #22 in North Carolina

    • $20,472 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 61% graduate
  15. 15

    Queens University of Charlotte

    Charlotte, NC · Private nonprofit

    #16 in North Carolina

    • $23,753 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 61% graduate
  16. 16

    Elon University

    Elon, NC · Private nonprofit

    Top 8% for graduation

    • $23,900 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 84% graduate
  17. 17

    High Point University

    High Point, NC · Private nonprofit

    Top 16% for graduation

    • $32,250 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
    • 74% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Duke University$29,612$13,000$97,80097%
Davidson College$17,379$18,688$81,40091%
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill$11,655$14,000$72,20091%
Wake Forest University$28,719$21,500$78,15889%
University of North Carolina School of the Arts$14,906$23,870$38,35778%
North Carolina State University at Raleigh$17,303$20,121$68,75885%
University of North Carolina at Charlotte$15,435$21,500$57,28969%
Manna University$15,210$13,450—80%
East Carolina University$15,739$22,750$55,14663%
Appalachian State University$16,836$20,231$51,83675%
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences$17,618$16,000$58,70871%
University of North Carolina Wilmington$20,109$19,500$54,96771%
Meredith College$22,488$25,000$51,53970%
Campbell University$24,516$22,500$54,88661%
Queens University of Charlotte$30,857$25,000$57,67361%
Elon University$41,555$20,500$74,54584%
High Point University$38,707$24,575$61,38974%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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