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	0.9356	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	Wake Forest University	6800	85000	0.9198	5,490	1469	0.2167	#2 #2 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC Typical Net Price $6,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $85,000 % Savings 92% Undergraduates 5,490 Est. Median SAT 1,469 Acceptance Rate 21.7 %
3	Fayetteville State University	10700	20400	0.4734	6,074	945	0.8215	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC Typical Net Price $10,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $20,400 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 6,074 Est. Median SAT 945 Acceptance Rate 82.2 %
4	Duke University	11400	92800	0.8766	6,523	1527	0.0571	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Duke University Durham, NC Typical Net Price $11,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $92,800 % Savings 88% Undergraduates 6,523 Est. Median SAT 1,527 Acceptance Rate 5.7 %
5	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	11600	27800	0.5818	20,885	1420	0.1534	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Typical Net Price $11,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,800 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 20,885 Est. Median SAT 1,420 Acceptance Rate 15.3 %
6	University of North Carolina at Pembroke	12800	20400	0.3697	5,437	1060	0.9326	#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 1,060 Acceptance Rate 93.3 %
7	North Carolina A & T State University	12900	17900	0.2812	12,497	1075	0.499	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $12,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $17,900 % Savings 28% Undergraduates 12,497 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 49.9 %
8	Livingstone College	13300	28400	0.5321	924	890	0.5925	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Livingstone College Salisbury, NC Typical Net Price $13,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,400 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 924 Est. Median SAT 890 Acceptance Rate 59.3 %
9	Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary	14500	23700	0.39	957	1130	0.7463	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC Typical Net Price $14,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,700 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 957 Est. Median SAT 1,130 Acceptance Rate 74.6 %
10	Chowan University	14900	39200	0.6198	603	1015	0.6879	#10 #10 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC Typical Net Price $14,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $39,200 % Savings 62% Undergraduates 603 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 68.8 %
11	University of North Carolina Asheville	15200	21800	0.3043	3,032	1248	0.9192	#11 #11 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC Typical Net Price $15,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $21,800 % Savings 30% Undergraduates 3,032 Est. Median SAT 1,248 Acceptance Rate 91.9 %
12	Western Carolina University	15300	16500	0.0759	10,112	1130	0.8183	#12 #12 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 %
13	University of North Carolina at Greensboro	15800	19400	0.1869	14,416	1210	0.8851	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $15,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $19,400 % Savings 19% Undergraduates 14,416 Est. Median SAT 1,210 Acceptance Rate 88.5 %
14	Gardner-Webb University	16200	50400	0.6788	1,861	1110	0.7721	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs, NC Typical Net Price $16,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,400 % Savings 68% Undergraduates 1,861 Est. Median SAT 1,110 Acceptance Rate 77.2 %
15	North Carolina State University	16400	28500	0.425	28,422	1378	0.4174	#15 #15 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $16,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,500 % Savings 43% Undergraduates 28,422 Est. Median SAT 1,378 Acceptance Rate 41.7 %
16	Winston-Salem State University	16800	22800	0.264	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 $22,800 % Savings 26% Undergraduates 4,192 Est. Median SAT 945 Acceptance Rate 78.3 %
17	Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte	17000	17200	0.0117	1,184	1015	0.7988	#17 #17 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 %
17	University of North Carolina School of the Arts	17000	24900	0.3146	946	1241	0.2997	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC Typical Net Price $17,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $24,900 % Savings 31% Undergraduates 946 Est. Median SAT 1,241 Acceptance Rate 30.0 %
19	Appalachian State University	17200	19500	0.1196	19,560	1190	0.9014	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Appalachian State University Boone, NC Typical Net Price $17,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $19,500 % Savings 12% Undergraduates 19,560 Est. Median SAT 1,190 Acceptance Rate 90.1 %
19	North Carolina Wesleyan University	17200	51900	0.6693	1,262	980	0.8023	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, NC Typical Net Price $17,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,900 % Savings 67% Undergraduates 1,262 Est. Median SAT 980 Acceptance Rate 80.2 %
21	Greensboro College	17900	37800	0.5268	899	1005	0.7014	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Greensboro College Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $17,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,800 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 899 Est. Median SAT 1,005 Acceptance Rate 70.1 %
21	Mid-Atlantic Christian University	17900	34500	0.4812	140	1018	0.6216	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City, NC Typical Net Price $17,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,500 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 140 Est. Median SAT 1,018 Acceptance Rate 62.2 %
21	Warren Wilson College	17900	57000	0.6866	740	1275	0.7134	#21 #21 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 740 Est. Median SAT 1,275 Acceptance Rate 71.3 %
24	North Carolina Central University	18200	27700	0.3414	6,595	1060	0.8696	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina Central University Durham, NC Typical Net Price $18,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,700 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 6,595 Est. Median SAT 1,060 Acceptance Rate 87.0 %
25	University of North Carolina at Charlotte	19100	22300	0.1434	24,868	1214	0.796	#25 #25 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $19,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $22,300 % Savings 14% Undergraduates 24,868 Est. Median SAT 1,214 Acceptance Rate 79.6 %
26	Elizabeth City State University	19300	23700	0.1861	2,154	1005	0.6422	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC Typical Net Price $19,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $23,700 % Savings 19% Undergraduates 2,154 Est. Median SAT 1,005 Acceptance Rate 64.2 %
27	Johnson C Smith University	19700	39300	0.4984	1,252	885	0.4521	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Johnson C Smith University Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $19,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $39,300 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 1,252 Est. Median SAT 885 Acceptance Rate 45.2 %
28	Brevard College	20600	43700	0.5292	821	1060	0.4216	#28 #28 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 821 Est. Median SAT 1,060 Acceptance Rate 42.2 %
29	East Carolina University	20800	23800	0.1258	21,445	1160	0.8921	#29 #29 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 1,160 Acceptance Rate 89.2 %
30	Salem College	21400	55300	0.6125	464	1080	0.7667	#30 #30 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 76.7 %
31	Belmont Abbey College	22200	36700	0.3949	1,298	1094	0.7465	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC Typical Net Price $22,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $36,700 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 1,298 Est. Median SAT 1,094 Acceptance Rate 74.7 %
32	St. Andrews University	22300	44700	0.5015	628	991	0.648	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings St. Andrews University Laurinburg, NC Typical Net Price $22,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,700 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 628 Est. Median SAT 991 Acceptance Rate 64.8 %
33	Lenoir-Rhyne University	22500	53100	0.5751	1,472	1075	0.8459	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC Typical Net Price $22,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $53,100 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 1,472 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 84.6 %
34	Mars Hill University	22700	54500	0.5826	1,061	1050	0.679	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC Typical Net Price $22,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,500 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 1,061 Est. Median SAT 1,050 Acceptance Rate 67.9 %
35	Barton College	23600	54300	0.5663	1,149	1050	0.942	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Barton College Wilson, NC Typical Net Price $23,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,300 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 1,149 Est. Median SAT 1,050 Acceptance Rate 94.2 %
35	Catawba College	23600	55200	0.5716	1,262	1098	0.7521	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Catawba College Salisbury, NC Typical Net Price $23,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,200 % Savings 57% Undergraduates 1,262 Est. Median SAT 1,098 Acceptance Rate 75.2 %
37	Wingate University	24100	65000	0.6298	2,673	1100	0.9113	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wingate University Wingate, NC Typical Net Price $24,100 • 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 %
38	Carolina University	24200	41900	0.4212	460	975	0.3954	#38 #38 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Carolina University Winston-Salem, NC Typical Net Price $24,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $41,900 % Savings 42% Undergraduates 460 Est. Median SAT 975 Acceptance Rate 39.5 %
39	University of North Carolina Wilmington	24400	24500	0.0029	15,254	1270	0.6424	#39 #39 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 %
40	Meredith College	25000	60200	0.5854	1,206	1237	0.7418	#40 #40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Meredith College Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $25,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $60,200 % Savings 59% Undergraduates 1,206 Est. Median SAT 1,237 Acceptance Rate 74.2 %
41	Guilford College	25500	56600	0.5485	1,132	1100	0.8	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Guilford College Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $25,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,600 % Savings 55% Undergraduates 1,132 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 80.0 %
42	William Peace University	25800	50200	0.4871	722	1180	0.9425	#42 #42 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 1,180 Acceptance Rate 94.3 %
43	Shaw University	26000	32800	0.2086	877	767	0.8016	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Shaw University Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $26,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,800 % Savings 21% Undergraduates 877 Est. Median SAT 767 Acceptance Rate 80.2 %
44	Saint Augustine's University	26600	32400	0.1777	173	840	0.338	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $26,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $32,400 % Savings 18% Undergraduates 173 Est. Median SAT 840 Acceptance Rate 33.8 %
45	Pfeiffer University	27200	56100	0.5155	696	941	0.9603	#45 #45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Pfeiffer University Misenheimer, NC Typical Net Price $27,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,100 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 696 Est. Median SAT 941 Acceptance Rate 96.0 %
46	Methodist University	29900	65900	0.5456	1,467	1185	0.7514	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Methodist University Fayetteville, NC Typical Net Price $29,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $65,900 % Savings 55% Undergraduates 1,467 Est. Median SAT 1,185 Acceptance Rate 75.1 %
47	Bennett College	30800	42000	0.2674	180	940	0.5066	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bennett College Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $30,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $42,000 % Savings 27% Undergraduates 180 Est. Median SAT 940 Acceptance Rate 50.7 %
48	Queens University of Charlotte	31500	65500	0.5189	1,225	1208	0.6208	#48 #48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $31,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $65,500 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 1,225 Est. Median SAT 1,208 Acceptance Rate 62.1 %
49	Montreat College	32700	58100	0.4377	781	1164	0.692	#49 #49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Montreat College Montreat, NC Typical Net Price $32,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $58,100 % Savings 44% Undergraduates 781 Est. Median SAT 1,164 Acceptance Rate 69.2 %
50	Campbell University	34800	68700	0.4935	2,699	1120	0.8718	#50 #50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Campbell University Buies Creek, NC Typical Net Price $34,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $68,700 % Savings 49% Undergraduates 2,699 Est. Median SAT 1,120 Acceptance Rate 87.2 %
51	Lees-McRae College	35300	58700	0.399	873	1140	0.7678	#51 #51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lees-McRae College Banner Elk, NC Typical Net Price $35,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $58,700 % Savings 40% Undergraduates 873 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 76.8 %
52	University of Mount Olive	39900	48200	0.1718	1,944	1075	0.7575	#52 #52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC Typical Net Price $39,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $48,200 % Savings 17% Undergraduates 1,944 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 75.8 %
53	High Point University	45400	70100	0.3515	5,135	1263	0.7531	#53 #53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings High Point University High Point, NC Typical Net Price $45,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $70,100 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 5,135 Est. Median SAT 1,263 Acceptance Rate 75.3 %
54	Elon University	53900	66900	0.1949	6,452	1215	0.6635	#54 #54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elon University Elon, NC Typical Net Price $53,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $66,900 % Savings 19% Undergraduates 6,452 Est. Median SAT 1,215 Acceptance Rate 66.4 %