Middle Class Affordability Rankings™ - State of North Carolina

Most Affordable Colleges in the state of North Carolina for 2026

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Which colleges are most affordable for North Carolina residents ? The answer may surprise you.
These rankings of the most affordable colleges for North Carolina residents are based on the estimated net price for a "typical" middle class family living in the state of North Carolina.
Note: Net price is the actual cost of the school paid by the student and family, after factoring in merit and grant aid from the college federal programs and work study.The net prices displayed in these rankings are College Raptor's estimates.

“Typical” middle class family values used in the Net Price estimates on this page are:

Number of people in family: 4
Number of students in college: 1
Total income: $80,000
Total assets: $50,000

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North Carolina

Rank	Institution	Typical Net Price	Sticker Price	% Savings	Undergraduates	Est. Median SAT	Acceptance Rate	Save
1	Davidson College	5800	89500	0.9355	1,869	1454	0.1337	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Davidson College Davidson, NC Typical Net Price $5,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $89,500 % Savings 94% Undergraduates 1,869 Est. Median SAT 1,454 Acceptance Rate 13.4 %
2	Duke University	9500	92800	0.8971	6,523	1539	0.0571	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Duke University Durham, NC Typical Net Price $9,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $92,800 % Savings 90% Undergraduates 6,523 Est. Median SAT 1,539 Acceptance Rate 5.7 %
3	Fayetteville State University	9800	19900	0.5096	6,074	915	0.7989	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC Typical Net Price $9,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $19,900 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 6,074 Est. Median SAT 915 Acceptance Rate 79.9 %
4	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	11800	27800	0.5765	21,075	1420	0.1534	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Typical Net Price $11,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,800 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 21,075 Est. Median SAT 1,420 Acceptance Rate 15.3 %
4	Wake Forest University	11800	86400	0.8629	5,490	1469	0.2167	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC Typical Net Price $11,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $86,400 % Savings 86% Undergraduates 5,490 Est. Median SAT 1,469 Acceptance Rate 21.7 %
6	University of North Carolina at Pembroke	12800	20400	0.3697	5,437	990	0.9335	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC Typical Net Price $12,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $20,400 % Savings 37% Undergraduates 5,437 Est. Median SAT 990 Acceptance Rate 93.4 %
7	North Carolina A & T State University	13700	17900	0.2365	12,216	1040	0.4617	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $13,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $17,900 % Savings 24% Undergraduates 12,216 Est. Median SAT 1,040 Acceptance Rate 46.2 %
8	Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary	14000	30300	0.5393	957	1075	0.5871	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC Typical Net Price $14,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $30,300 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 957 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 58.7 %
9	Mars Hill University	15200	54500	0.7202	1,062	1100	0.6822	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC Typical Net Price $15,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,500 % Savings 72% Undergraduates 1,062 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 68.2 %
10	Western Carolina University	15300	16500	0.0759	10,112	1130	0.818	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Typical Net Price $15,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $16,500 % Savings 8% Undergraduates 10,112 Est. Median SAT 1,130 Acceptance Rate 81.8 %
11	Livingstone College	15400	36600	0.5789	799	855	0.7409	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Livingstone College Salisbury, NC Typical Net Price $15,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,600 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 799 Est. Median SAT 855 Acceptance Rate 74.1 %
12	University of North Carolina School of the Arts	15800	24900	0.3628	902	1245	0.3308	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC Typical Net Price $15,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,900 % Savings 36% Undergraduates 902 Est. Median SAT 1,245 Acceptance Rate 33.1 %
13	University of North Carolina at Greensboro	16400	19400	0.156	14,416	1205	0.8851	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $16,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $19,400 % Savings 16% Undergraduates 14,416 Est. Median SAT 1,205 Acceptance Rate 88.5 %
14	North Carolina State University	16500	28500	0.4199	28,422	1335	0.4167	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $16,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,500 % Savings 42% Undergraduates 28,422 Est. Median SAT 1,335 Acceptance Rate 41.7 %
14	University of North Carolina Asheville	16500	21800	0.2447	3,030	1254	0.9194	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC Typical Net Price $16,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $21,800 % Savings 24% Undergraduates 3,030 Est. Median SAT 1,254 Acceptance Rate 91.9 %
16	Winston-Salem State University	16800	25500	0.3416	4,192	945	0.7826	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC Typical Net Price $16,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,500 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 4,192 Est. Median SAT 945 Acceptance Rate 78.3 %
17	Saint Augustine's University	16900	50400	0.6643	173	840	0.3465	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $16,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,400 % Savings 66% Undergraduates 173 Est. Median SAT 840 Acceptance Rate 34.7 %
18	Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte	17000	17200	0.0117	1,184	1015	0.7989	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $17,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $17,200 % Savings 1% Undergraduates 1,184 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 79.9 %
19	Appalachian State University	17400	19500	0.1094	19,560	1159	0.9014	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Appalachian State University Boone, NC Typical Net Price $17,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $19,500 % Savings 11% Undergraduates 19,560 Est. Median SAT 1,159 Acceptance Rate 90.1 %
20	Greensboro College	17500	37800	0.5373	899	1005	0.7014	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Greensboro College Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $17,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,800 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 899 Est. Median SAT 1,005 Acceptance Rate 70.1 %
20	North Carolina Wesleyan University	17500	66500	0.7376	1,215	980	0.7795	#20 #20 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, NC Typical Net Price $17,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $66,500 % Savings 74% Undergraduates 1,215 Est. Median SAT 980 Acceptance Rate 78.0 %
22	Warren Wilson College	17900	57000	0.6866	742	1289	0.7771	#22 #22 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Warren Wilson College Swannanoa, NC Typical Net Price $17,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,000 % Savings 69% Undergraduates 742 Est. Median SAT 1,289 Acceptance Rate 77.7 %
23	Chowan University	18200	39200	0.5356	638	1015	0.7237	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC Typical Net Price $18,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $39,200 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 638 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 72.4 %
24	North Carolina Central University	18300	27700	0.3378	6,595	1005	0.8697	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina Central University Durham, NC Typical Net Price $18,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,700 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 6,595 Est. Median SAT 1,005 Acceptance Rate 87.0 %
25	Guilford College	18600	56600	0.6705	1,160	1118	0.8376	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Guilford College Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $18,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,600 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 1,160 Est. Median SAT 1,118 Acceptance Rate 83.8 %
26	Elizabeth City State University	18700	23700	0.2114	2,131	940	0.6461	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC Typical Net Price $18,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,700 % Savings 21% Undergraduates 2,131 Est. Median SAT 940 Acceptance Rate 64.6 %
27	Carolina University	18900	44200	0.5714	424	995	0.34	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Carolina University Winston-Salem, NC Typical Net Price $18,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,200 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 424 Est. Median SAT 995 Acceptance Rate 34.0 %
28	Meredith College	19700	60200	0.6734	1,206	1237	0.7418	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Meredith College Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $19,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $60,200 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 1,206 Est. Median SAT 1,237 Acceptance Rate 74.2 %
29	University of North Carolina at Charlotte	19800	22300	0.112	24,868	1214	0.796	#29 #29 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $19,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $22,300 % Savings 11% Undergraduates 24,868 Est. Median SAT 1,214 Acceptance Rate 79.6 %
30	Brevard College	20600	43700	0.5292	764	1060	0.3946	#30 #30 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Brevard College Brevard, NC Typical Net Price $20,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,700 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 764 Est. Median SAT 1,060 Acceptance Rate 39.5 %
31	East Carolina University	20800	23800	0.1258	21,445	1120	0.8922	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings East Carolina University Greenville, NC Typical Net Price $20,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,800 % Savings 13% Undergraduates 21,445 Est. Median SAT 1,120 Acceptance Rate 89.2 %
32	Salem College	21400	55300	0.6125	464	1080	0.789	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Salem College Winston-Salem, NC Typical Net Price $21,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,300 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 464 Est. Median SAT 1,080 Acceptance Rate 78.9 %
33	Barton College	22300	54300	0.5903	1,149	1050	0.942	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Barton College Wilson, NC Typical Net Price $22,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,300 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 1,149 Est. Median SAT 1,050 Acceptance Rate 94.2 %
34	St. Andrews University	22400	44700	0.4986	806	985	0.1229	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings St. Andrews University Laurinburg, NC Typical Net Price $22,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,700 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 806 Est. Median SAT 985 Acceptance Rate 12.3 %
35	Lenoir-Rhyne University	22900	58100	0.6064	1,477	1075	0.8068	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC Typical Net Price $22,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $58,100 % Savings 61% Undergraduates 1,477 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 80.7 %
36	Belmont Abbey College	23100	38200	0.3951	1,549	1069	0.9038	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC Typical Net Price $23,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $38,200 % Savings 40% Undergraduates 1,549 Est. Median SAT 1,069 Acceptance Rate 90.4 %
37	Catawba College	23700	55200	0.57	1,263	1098	0.7521	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Catawba College Salisbury, NC Typical Net Price $23,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,200 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 1,263 Est. Median SAT 1,098 Acceptance Rate 75.2 %
38	Mid-Atlantic Christian University	23900	43700	0.453	177	950	0.7621	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City, NC Typical Net Price $23,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,700 % Savings 45% Undergraduates 177 Est. Median SAT 950 Acceptance Rate 76.2 %
39	Wingate University	24200	65000	0.6278	2,673	1100	0.9113	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wingate University Wingate, NC Typical Net Price $24,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $65,000 % Savings 63% Undergraduates 2,673 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 91.1 %
40	University of North Carolina Wilmington	24400	24500	0.0029	15,254	1270	0.6424	#40 #40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC Typical Net Price $24,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,500 % Savings 0% Undergraduates 15,254 Est. Median SAT 1,270 Acceptance Rate 64.2 %
41	Gardner-Webb University	24700	50400	0.5102	1,840	1145	0.8702	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs, NC Typical Net Price $24,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,400 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 1,840 Est. Median SAT 1,145 Acceptance Rate 87.0 %
42	Bennett College	24800	54200	0.5414	195	905	0.3361	#42 #42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bennett College Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $24,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,200 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 195 Est. Median SAT 905 Acceptance Rate 33.6 %
43	William Peace University	25800	50200	0.4868	722	1170	0.9425	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings William Peace University Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $25,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,200 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 722 Est. Median SAT 1,170 Acceptance Rate 94.3 %
44	Shaw University	26100	40000	0.3465	877	865	0.8034	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Shaw University Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $26,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $40,000 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 877 Est. Median SAT 865 Acceptance Rate 80.3 %
45	Pfeiffer University	27300	56100	0.5132	654	941	0.9126	#45 #45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Pfeiffer University Misenheimer, NC Typical Net Price $27,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,100 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 654 Est. Median SAT 941 Acceptance Rate 91.3 %
46	Johnson C Smith University	27400	45600	0.3991	1,252	885	0.4521	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Johnson C Smith University Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $27,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $45,600 % Savings 40% Undergraduates 1,252 Est. Median SAT 885 Acceptance Rate 45.2 %
47	Methodist University	28100	73900	0.6204	1,436	1175	0.752	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Methodist University Fayetteville, NC Typical Net Price $28,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $73,900 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 1,436 Est. Median SAT 1,175 Acceptance Rate 75.2 %
48	Queens University of Charlotte	28200	65500	0.5693	1,225	1235	0.5651	#48 #48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $28,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $65,500 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 1,225 Est. Median SAT 1,235 Acceptance Rate 56.5 %
49	Montreat College	29700	55000	0.4602	759	1055	0.6555	#49 #49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Montreat College Montreat, NC Typical Net Price $29,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,000 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 759 Est. Median SAT 1,055 Acceptance Rate 65.6 %
50	Campbell University	33000	65100	0.4928	2,699	1120	0.872	#50 #50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Campbell University Buies Creek, NC Typical Net Price $33,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $65,100 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 2,699 Est. Median SAT 1,120 Acceptance Rate 87.2 %
51	Lees-McRae College	35400	58700	0.3968	873	1140	0.7685	#51 #51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lees-McRae College Banner Elk, NC Typical Net Price $35,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $58,700 % Savings 40% Undergraduates 873 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 76.9 %
52	Elon University	39000	57000	0.3164	6,452	1244	0.6635	#52 #52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elon University Elon, NC Typical Net Price $39,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $57,000 % Savings 32% Undergraduates 6,452 Est. Median SAT 1,244 Acceptance Rate 66.4 %
53	High Point University	45600	70100	0.3487	5,006	1237	0.7683	#53 #53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings High Point University High Point, NC Typical Net Price $45,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $70,100 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 5,006 Est. Median SAT 1,237 Acceptance Rate 76.8 %
54	University of Mount Olive	46100	48200	0.0443	1,937	1020	0.7775	#54 #54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC Typical Net Price $46,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,200 % Savings 4% Undergraduates 1,937 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 77.8 %