2024 Average Tuition of colleges in North Carolina is $6,710 for Residents and $20,438 for Others

For the academic year 2023-2024, the average tuition of public colleges in North Carolina is $6,710 for North Carolina residents and $20,438 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in North Carolina, the average tuition & fees are $27,380 regardless of residency.

For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in North Carolina is $8,436 for North Carolina residents and $22,600 for out-of-state students. For private schools in North Carolina, the average graduate tuition is $16,372.

The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $15,781 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $16,474. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.

The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.

Average Cost of Attendance (COA)

In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.

The 2024 average COA of the four-year colleges in North Carolina is $22,953 for residents and $36,681 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $44,580. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $4,245 for North Carolina residents and $10,114 for out-of-state students.

The following table summarizes the 2024 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.

2024 Average Cost of Colleges in North Carolina
	North Carolina Residents	Out-of-State
Public 4 Years Colleges	$22,953	$36,681
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)	$4,245	$10,114
Private 4 Years Colleges	$44,580

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

In North Carolina, 170 out of 175 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 76 public and 92 private colleges in North Carolina.

The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in North Carolina is $6,710 for North Carolina residents and $20,438 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $26,118

At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $2,522 for residents and $8,391 for out-of-state students.

2024 Average Tuition & fees of colleges in North Carolina
	North Carolina Residents	Out-of-State
Public 4 Years Colleges	$6,710	$20,438
Private 4 Years Colleges	$26,118
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)	$2,522	$8,391
Less than 2 Years Schools (Trade/Technical Colleges)	$18,429

Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees

In North Carolina, 66 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in North Carolina is $5,528 for North Carolina residents and $19,691 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $15,413

2024 Average Graduate Tuition & fees of colleges in North Carolina
	North Carolina Residents	Out-of-State
Public Schools	$5,528	$19,691
Private Schools	$15,413

Tuition per Credit Hour

The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of colleges in North Carolina is $167 for North Carolina residents and $727 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $815

For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $321 for North Carolina residents and $1,124 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $738

2024 Average Tuition per Credit Hour of colleges in North Carolina
	North Carolina Residents	Out-of-State
Undergraduate
Public 4 Years Colleges	$167	$727
Private 4 Years Colleges	$815
Public 2 Years Colleges (Community Colleges)	$78	$273
Graduate
Public Schools	$321	$1,124
Private Schools	$738

Average Living Costs at colleges in North Carolina

At colleges in North Carolina, the average living cost is $15,781 when a student lives on campus facility and $16,474 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.

2024 Average Living Cost of colleges in North Carolina
	On-Campus	Off-Campus
Public Schools	$15,076	$16,843
Private Schools	$16,056	$16,000

Most Searched North Carolina Colleges (last 30 days)

Undergraduate

Duke University Private, four-years | Durham
University of North Carolina Wilmington Public, four-years | Wilmington
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Public, four-years | Chapel Hill
Appalachian State University Public, four-years | Boone
Wake Forest University Private, four-years | Winston-Salem
Fayetteville State University Public, four-years | Fayetteville
North Carolina State University at Raleigh Public, four-years | Raleigh
Campbell University Private, four-years | Buies Creek
Shaw University Private, four-years | Raleigh
Davidson College Private, four-years | Davidson

compare schools

Graduate

East Carolina University Public, four-years | Greenville
Duke University Private, four-years | Durham
Elizabeth City State University Public, four-years | Elizabeth City
Campbell University Private, four-years | Buies Creek
Gardner-Webb University Private, four-years | Boiling Springs
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Public, four-years | Chapel Hill
University of Mount Olive Private, four-years | Mount Olive
Shaw University Private, four-years | Raleigh
Wake Forest University Private, four-years | Winston-Salem
Western Carolina University Public, four-years | Cullowhee

compare schools

Online Schools

Winston-Salem State University Public, four-years | Winston-Salem
Duke University Private, four-years | Durham
Fayetteville State University Public, four-years | Fayetteville
University of Mount Olive Private, four-years | Mount Olive
Forsyth Technical Community College Public, 2-4 years | Winston-Salem
Elizabeth City State University Public, four-years | Elizabeth City
Western Carolina University Public, four-years | Cullowhee
Pfeiffer University Private, four-years | Misenheimer
North Carolina Central University Public, four-years | Durham
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Public, four-years | Pembroke

compare schools

Technical Colleges

Paul Mitchell the School-Fayetteville Private, Less than 2-years | Fayetteville
Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia Private, Less than 2-years | Gastonia
Winston Salem Barber School Private, Less than 2-years | Winston-Salem
NASCAR Technical Institute Private, 2-4 years | Mooresville
Aveda Institute-Chapel Hill Private, Less than 2-years | Chapel Hill
Campbell University Private, four-years | Buies Creek
Elevate Salon Institute Private, Less than 2-years | Durham
College of Wilmington Private, Less than 2-years | Wilmington
MyComputerCareer at Raleigh Private, 2-4 years | Raleigh
Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design Private, Less than 2-years | Greenville

compare schools

2024 Average Tuition of colleges in North Carolina is $6,710 for Residents and $20,438 for Others

Average Cost of Attendance (COA)

Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees

Tuition per Credit Hour

Average Living Costs at colleges in North Carolina

Highest Undergraduate Tuition in North Carolina

Highest Graduate Tuition in North Carolina