Most affordable colleges with strong academics in North Carolina
The lowest net prices among colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B or better.
Most affordable colleges with strong academics in North Carolina17 schools
17 schools qualify, ranked by net price.
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 from federal data (the average yearly cost after grants, College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $11,655 a year
- 91% graduate
- 2
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Winston Salem, NC · PublicExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $14,906 a year
- 78% graduate
- 3
Manna University
Fayetteville, NC · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $15,210 a year
- 80% graduate
- 4
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · PublicTop 22% for graduation
- Net price $15,435 a year
- 69% graduate
- 5
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC · Public#17 in North Carolina
- Net price $15,739 a year
- 63% graduate
- 6
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · PublicTop 15% for graduation
- Net price $16,836 a year
- 75% graduate
- 7
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $17,303 a year
- 85% graduate
- 8
Davidson College
Davidson, NC · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $17,379 a year
- 91% graduate
- 9
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
Concord, NC · Private nonprofitExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $17,618 a year
- 71% graduate
- 10
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Net price $20,109 a year
- 71% graduate
- 11
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC · Private nonprofitTop 21% for graduation
- Net price $22,488 a year
- 70% graduate
- 12
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC · Private nonprofit#22 in North Carolina
- Net price $24,516 a year
- 61% graduate
- 13
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $28,719 a year
- 89% graduate
- 14
Duke University
Durham, NC · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in North Carolina
- Net price $29,612 a year
- 97% graduate
- 15
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC · Private nonprofit#16 in North Carolina
- Net price $30,857 a year
- 61% graduate
- 16
High Point University
High Point, NC · Private nonprofitTop 16% for graduation
- Net price $38,707 a year
- 74% graduate
- 17
Elon University
Elon, NC · Private nonprofitTop 8% for graduation
- Net price $41,555 a year
- 84% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | About $12,000 | $14,000 | $72,200 | 91% |
| University of North Carolina School of the Arts | About $15,000 | $23,870 | $38,357 | 78% |
| Manna University | About $15,000 | $13,450 | — | 80% |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte | About $15,000 | $21,500 | $57,289 | 69% |
| East Carolina University | About $16,000 | $22,750 | $55,146 | 63% |
| Appalachian State University | About $17,000 | $20,231 | $51,836 | 75% |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | About $17,000 | $20,121 | $68,758 | 85% |
| Davidson College | About $17,000 | $18,688 | $81,400 | 91% |
| Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | About $18,000 | $16,000 | $58,708 | 71% |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington | About $20,000 | $19,500 | $54,967 | 71% |
| Meredith College | About $22,000 | $25,000 | $51,539 | 70% |
| Campbell University | About $25,000 | $22,500 | $54,886 | 61% |
| Wake Forest University | About $29,000 | $21,500 | $78,158 | 89% |
| Duke University | About $30,000 | $13,000 | $97,800 | 97% |
| Queens University of Charlotte | About $31,000 | $25,000 | $57,673 | 61% |
| High Point University | About $39,000 | $24,575 | $61,389 | 74% |
| Elon University | About $42,000 | $20,500 | $74,545 | 84% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 47
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15