Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Schools are assigned a value from 1-100, where 100 is best for students from households earning up to $30,000. This value is multiplied by the percentage of the school’s student body that received a Pell Grant, to calculate the economic mobility score. A higher score is better. Read the full explanation
The percentage of a school’s student body that has received a Pell Grant.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
The total debt accrued by the median student at the time of graduation.
The debt-to-earnings ratio is calculated by dividing student debt upon graduation by the annual salary. A debt to earnings ratio of 1 means that annual educational debt is the same as annual earnings.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University are the best colleges in North Carolina by value for money. With cutting-edge academic research and top sports teams, North Carolina’s higher education scene is becoming increasingly prominent. Duke University ranks among the most diverse institutions in the state, and its sports teams consistently top national charts.
www.degreechoices.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,469
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$61,915
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate91%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$32,459
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$93,115
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate95%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$17,242
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$53,146
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate73%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$16,411
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$61,353
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate83%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$32,845
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$74,968
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate88%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
#6 in North Carolina|#150 in National Universities
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$11,629
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$44,195
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate61%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$13,989
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$45,602
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate74%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
#8 in North Carolina|#167 in National Universities
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$17,634
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$52,252
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate65%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
#9 in North Carolina|#202 in National Universities
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$19,136
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$49,739
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate72%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
#10 in North Carolina|#211 in National Universities
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$16,550
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$47,403
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate69%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$13,276
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$41,160
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate74%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
#12 in North Carolina|#237 in National Universities
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$13,924
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$43,366
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate65%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
#13 in North Carolina|#238 in National Universities
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$10,563
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$41,157
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate55%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
#14 in North Carolina|#250 in National Universities
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$38,122
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$64,238
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate84%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,551
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$42,027
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate63%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$15,883
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$42,366
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate60%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$18,772
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$45,457
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate55%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
#18 in North Carolina|#290 in National Universities
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$12,415
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$38,584
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate60%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
#19 in North Carolina|#325 in National Universities
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$20,827
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$46,233
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate52%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.
Cost$18,702
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Earnings$43,015
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
Graduation rate54%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not displayed.
The following figures are the average salaries in North Carolina for each level of education.
Average Income
The average income of people in this state with a high-school diploma, certificate, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree, 10 years after enrollment, based on 2021-2022 CSC data.
HS Diploma$22,000
Certificate$30,613
Associate$53,146
Bachelor$47,096
Master$72,892
Cost of attending college in North Carolina
In-state-tuition$21,850
The average in-state tuition, before financial aid, of all 4-year institutions in the state. Includes public, private, online, on-campus, non-profit, and for-profit institutions. Based on 2021-2022 CSC data.
Out-of-state-tuition$25,108
The average tuition for out-of-state students, before financial aid of all 4-year institutions in the state. Includes public, private, online, on-campus, non-profit, and for-profit institutions. Based on 2021-2022 CSC data.
Most popular degrees in North Carolina
In North Carolina the most popular degrees are Business Administration, Registered Nursing, and Biology. To create this list, we complied and analyzed data from IPEDS and College Scorecard.
They both provide information on how many graduates each program has annually. The list below is both undergraduate- and graduate-level programs.
Popular degrees
1Business Administration 8,264graduates
2Registered Nursing 4,419graduates
3Biology 3,528graduates
4Psychology 3,254graduates
5Communication & Media Studies 2,772graduates
6Health & Fitness 2,767graduates
7Computer Science 2,629graduates
8Education 2,375graduates
9Criminal Justice 1,836graduates
10Social Work 1,734graduates
Fastest growing careers
North Carolina job growth
11.1%
Nurse Practitioners
55.2%
Information Security Analysts
51.1%
Statisticians
49.8%
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
45.6%
Physical Therapist Assistants
36.7%
Medical and Health Services Managers
34%
Occupational Therapy Assistants
33.6%
Epidemiologists
33.3%
Financial Examiners
32.3%
Physician Assistants
31.8%
Best bachelor’s degrees in North Carolina
These majors are most likely to pay off economically after graduation.
Best colleges for social mobility in North Carolina
Higher education is supposed to act as an economic elevator that lifts students from low-income households into the middle class. But not all colleges do this: unfortunately, many of the nation’s most “prestigious” schools accept very few students from low-income backgrounds.
To determine what colleges are doing the best job at lifting students out of poverty, we have devised a Social Mobility Index (SMI).
The best colleges for social mobility in North Carolina are shown below.
www.degreechoices.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Propel your career from anywhere.
Take our quiz to find the online degree that’s best for you. Compare hundreds of schools and apply to your dream college today.
Bachelor's degree holders or higher
33.1%
Filters
North Carolina
11.1%
