The cost of college in North Carolina — and what it pays back
Across the 115 North Carolina institutions we profile, the median net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $10,846/yr, $6,060 below the $16,906 national median. Graduates earn a median $36,686 ten years after entry (below the $43,552 national median), and 22 of the 115 schools clear their full cost on institution-wide earnings. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
$10,846
Median net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$36,686
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
10.6 yrs
Median payback
Our math, 2026
22/115
Schools that pay back
Our math, 2026
How North Carolina's 115 colleges split by ROI verdict
Strong8
Solid3
Slow7
Weak97
Verdicts: payback under 5 / 10 / 20 / over 20 years (or none).
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | $11,655 | $72,200 | 2 yrs |
| Davidson College | $17,379 | $81,400 | 2.1 yrs |
| Duke University | $29,612 | $97,800 | 2.4 yrs |
| Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | $17,618 | $58,708 | 3.4 yrs |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | $17,303 | $68,758 | 3.4 yrs |
| College | Net price/yr | Earnings 10y | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilkes Community College | -$264 | $34,728 | no payback |
| Edgecombe Community College | $0 | $33,267 | no payback |
| Cleveland Community College | $995 | $33,755 | no payback |
| Piedmont Community College | $1,095 | $33,274 | no payback |
| Durham Technical Community College | $1,664 | $36,142 | no payback |
Frequently asked questions
How much does college cost in North Carolina?
The median net price across North Carolina colleges is $10,846/yr after aid — below the $16,906 national median. Sticker prices run far higher; net price is what the typical aided student actually pays.
Is college in North Carolina cheaper than the national average?
Yes, on median net price: $10,846/yr vs $16,906 nationally — about $6,060/yr less.
What do North Carolina college graduates earn?
A median $36,686 ten years after entry (College Scorecard), below the $43,552 national median.
Which North Carolina college pays for itself fastest?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — about 2 years to clear its $46,620 total net cost on earnings above the high-school baseline. The full ranking is on our best-colleges-in-north-carolina page.