2023 Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Our analysis looked at 41 schools in North Carolina to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Bachelor's Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found University of North Carolina at Pembroke to be the best value school for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in North Carolina. Located in Pembroke, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,357 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNC Pembroke are $7,495 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,823 in student loans.
UNC Pembroke does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Elizabeth City State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Elizabeth City, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 301 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ECSU are $7,326 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $27,491 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that ECSU does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Western Carolina University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 2,501 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCU are $8,367 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,228 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
WCU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Fayetteville State University is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Fayetteville State University is a medium-sized public school located in Fayetteville, North Carolina that handed out 1,076 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Fayetteville State University are $16,987 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,780 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Fayetteville State University does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Out of the 41 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s value ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the large public school awarded 6,496 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNC Chapel Hill are $36,891 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,347 in loans while pursuing their degree.
UNC Chapel Hill does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
UNC Chapel Hill also took the #4 spot in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina rankings.
East Carolina University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. ECU is located in Greenville, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5,233 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
ECU undergraduate students pay an average of $23,574 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $24,531 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ECU. In fact, around 96% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
In addition to its great value ranking, ECU is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list.
North Carolina State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. North Carolina State University is a large public school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 6,377 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
NC State undergraduate students pay an average of $29,916 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,305 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at NC State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
NC State also made our Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list, coming in at #5.
Appalachian State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Appalachian State is a public institution located in Boone, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,368 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Appalachian State are $23,017 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $21,113 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Appalachian State does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
In addition to its great value ranking, Appalachian State is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list.
With a ranking of #9, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. This large public school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 6,358 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte are $20,622 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,912 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UNC Charlotte does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
UNC Charlotte also claimed a spot on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #10, University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 4,021 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNCW are $21,303 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,787 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UNCW does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on University of North Carolina at Wilmington
With a ranking of #11, Winston - Salem State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 991 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WSSU are $16,903 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $28,735 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WSSU. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 96% took at least some of their classes online.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a fairly large public school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 3,694 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNC Greensboro are $22,627 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,759 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UNC Greensboro does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
North Carolina Central University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. North Carolina Central University is located in Durham, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,043 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Carolina Central University are $19,351 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $34,797 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Carolina Central University does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 53% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
North Carolina A & T State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. NC A&T is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,126 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
NC A&T undergraduate students pay an average of $20,243 in tuition and fees each year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $30,266 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NC A&T. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
University of North Carolina at Asheville came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. UNCA is a small public school situated in Asheville, North Carolina. It awarded 763 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNCA are $24,667 a year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,383 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at UNCA. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Belmont Abbey College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. BAC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Belmont, North Carolina. It awarded 331 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
BAC undergraduate students pay an average of $18,500 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,397 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that BAC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 10% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Elon University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Elon University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Elon, North Carolina that handed out 1,638 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Elon are $38,725 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $17,558 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Elon also made our Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list, coming in at #3.
Greensboro College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 164 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Greensboro College are $18,960 a year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,922 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Greensboro College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
University of Mount Olive came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. University of Mount Olive is a small private not-for-profit school located in Mount Olive, North Carolina that handed out 541 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMO undergraduate students pay an average of $22,618 in tuition and fees each year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $30,758 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UMO. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Duke University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 2,319 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Duke are $60,244 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,049 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Duke. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Duke also took the #1 spot in our Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina rankings.
With a ranking of #21, Johnson C Smith University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their bachelor’s degree. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 227 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JCSU are $18,944 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $38,011 in student loans.
Online courses are available at JCSU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 4% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lees - McRae College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Lees - McRae College is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Banner Elk, North Carolina. It awarded 212 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lees - McRae College are $28,667 per year. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,142 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Lees - McRae College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 25% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Wake Forest University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 1,472 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wake Forest University are $59,770 a year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,222 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Wake Forest University does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Wake Forest University also made our Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list, coming in at #2.
Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 213 bachelor’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at JWU Charlotte are $35,900 per year. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $27,600 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
JWU Charlotte does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 9% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Meredith College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 401 bachelor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Meredith are $41,224 per year. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,544 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Meredith excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina list.
Best Value Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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