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	8800	89500	0.9013	1,869	1454	0.1337	#1 #1 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Davidson College Davidson, NC Typical Net Price $8,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $89,500 % Savings 90% 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	9600	20700	0.5384	5,845	915	0.7989	#3 #3 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC Typical Net Price $9,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $20,700 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 5,845 Est. Median SAT 915 Acceptance Rate 79.9 %
4	Elizabeth City State University	9800	15200	0.3559	2,131	940	0.6461	#4 #4 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC Typical Net Price $9,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $15,200 % Savings 36% Undergraduates 2,131 Est. Median SAT 940 Acceptance Rate 64.6 %
5	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	11100	27800	0.6016	21,075	1420	0.1534	#5 #5 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Typical Net Price $11,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,800 % Savings 60% Undergraduates 21,075 Est. Median SAT 1,420 Acceptance Rate 15.3 %
6	University of North Carolina School of the Arts	11600	25300	0.5395	902	1245	0.3308	#6 #6 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC Typical Net Price $11,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,300 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 902 Est. Median SAT 1,245 Acceptance Rate 33.1 %
7	University of North Carolina at Pembroke	12400	20400	0.3894	5,437	990	0.9335	#7 #7 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC Typical Net Price $12,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $20,400 % Savings 39% Undergraduates 5,437 Est. Median SAT 990 Acceptance Rate 93.4 %
8	Wake Forest University	12700	80400	0.8422	5,471	1457	0.2156	#8 #8 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC Typical Net Price $12,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $80,400 % Savings 84% Undergraduates 5,471 Est. Median SAT 1,457 Acceptance Rate 21.6 %
9	North Carolina A & T State University	13100	17900	0.27	12,216	1020	0.4617	#9 #9 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $13,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $17,900 % Savings 27% Undergraduates 12,216 Est. Median SAT 1,020 Acceptance Rate 46.2 %
10	Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary	14000	27000	0.4802	957	1105	0.5871	#10 #10 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 $27,000 % Savings 48% Undergraduates 957 Est. Median SAT 1,105 Acceptance Rate 58.7 %
11	Mars Hill University	15200	54500	0.7202	1,062	1100	0.6822	#11 #11 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 %
12	Western Carolina University	15400	16600	0.0697	10,112	1130	0.818	#12 #12 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Typical Net Price $15,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $16,600 % Savings 7% Undergraduates 10,112 Est. Median SAT 1,130 Acceptance Rate 81.8 %
13	Livingstone College	15500	28400	0.4546	799	855	0.7409	#13 #13 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Livingstone College Salisbury, NC Typical Net Price $15,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $28,400 % Savings 45% Undergraduates 799 Est. Median SAT 855 Acceptance Rate 74.1 %
14	University of North Carolina Asheville	15900	20600	0.2255	3,030	1254	0.9194	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC Typical Net Price $15,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $20,600 % Savings 23% Undergraduates 3,030 Est. Median SAT 1,254 Acceptance Rate 91.9 %
14	University of North Carolina at Greensboro	15900	19400	0.1818	14,416	1205	0.8851	#14 #14 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $15,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $19,400 % Savings 18% Undergraduates 14,416 Est. Median SAT 1,205 Acceptance Rate 88.5 %
16	Winston-Salem State University	16300	25500	0.3612	4,192	945	0.7826	#16 #16 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC Typical Net Price $16,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $25,500 % Savings 36% Undergraduates 4,192 Est. Median SAT 945 Acceptance Rate 78.3 %
17	Appalachian State University	16400	19600	0.1602	19,560	1159	0.9014	#17 #17 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Appalachian State University Boone, NC Typical Net Price $16,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $19,600 % Savings 16% Undergraduates 19,560 Est. Median SAT 1,159 Acceptance Rate 90.1 %
18	North Carolina State University at Raleigh	17000	26000	0.3474	28,422	1335	0.4167	#18 #18 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $17,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $26,000 % Savings 35% Undergraduates 28,422 Est. Median SAT 1,335 Acceptance Rate 41.7 %
19	North Carolina Central University	17800	27000	0.3423	6,595	971	0.8697	#19 #19 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina Central University Durham, NC Typical Net Price $17,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $27,000 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 6,595 Est. Median SAT 971 Acceptance Rate 87.0 %
20	Warren Wilson College	17900	57000	0.6866	720	1289	0.7771	#20 #20 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 720 Est. Median SAT 1,289 Acceptance Rate 77.7 %
21	Chowan University	18000	39200	0.5407	638	985	0.7237	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC Typical Net Price $18,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $39,200 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 638 Est. Median SAT 985 Acceptance Rate 72.4 %
21	Greensboro College	18000	37800	0.5241	896	1005	0.7014	#21 #21 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Greensboro College Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $18,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,800 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 896 Est. Median SAT 1,005 Acceptance Rate 70.1 %
23	North Carolina Wesleyan University	18100	51900	0.6519	1,215	980	0.7795	#23 #23 Middle Class Affordability Rankings North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, NC Typical Net Price $18,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $51,900 % Savings 65% Undergraduates 1,215 Est. Median SAT 980 Acceptance Rate 78.0 %
24	Guilford College	18200	56600	0.6776	1,160	1025	0.8376	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Guilford College Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $18,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,600 % Savings 68% Undergraduates 1,160 Est. Median SAT 1,025 Acceptance Rate 83.8 %
24	Saint Augustine's University	18200	37400	0.5146	173	840	0.3465	#24 #24 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $18,200 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $37,400 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 173 Est. Median SAT 840 Acceptance Rate 34.7 %
26	Carolina University	18600	38500	0.5177	424	995	0.34	#26 #26 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Carolina University Winston-Salem, NC Typical Net Price $18,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $38,500 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 424 Est. Median SAT 995 Acceptance Rate 34.0 %
27	University of North Carolina at Charlotte	18900	22300	0.1524	24,868	1214	0.796	#27 #27 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $18,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $22,300 % Savings 15% Undergraduates 24,868 Est. Median SAT 1,214 Acceptance Rate 79.6 %
28	Brevard College	20300	43700	0.5361	764	1035	0.3946	#28 #28 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Brevard College Brevard, NC Typical Net Price $20,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $43,700 % Savings 54% Undergraduates 764 Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 39.5 %
29	East Carolina University	20800	23800	0.1258	21,445	1120	0.8922	#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 1,120 Acceptance Rate 89.2 %
30	Salem College	21400	55300	0.6125	464	1080	0.789	#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 78.9 %
31	St. Andrews University	21800	44700	0.5121	806	985	0.3048	#31 #31 Middle Class Affordability Rankings St. Andrews University Laurinburg, NC Typical Net Price $21,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $44,700 % Savings 51% Undergraduates 806 Est. Median SAT 985 Acceptance Rate 30.5 %
32	Barton College	22800	54300	0.5811	1,149	1050	0.942	#32 #32 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Barton College Wilson, NC Typical Net Price $22,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,300 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 1,149 Est. Median SAT 1,050 Acceptance Rate 94.2 %
33	Catawba College	22900	54200	0.577	1,253	1098	0.7521	#33 #33 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Catawba College Salisbury, NC Typical Net Price $22,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $54,200 % Savings 58% Undergraduates 1,253 Est. Median SAT 1,098 Acceptance Rate 75.2 %
34	Mid-Atlantic Christian University	23400	34600	0.3235	177	950	0.7621	#34 #34 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City, NC Typical Net Price $23,400 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,600 % Savings 32% Undergraduates 177 Est. Median SAT 950 Acceptance Rate 76.2 %
35	Wingate University	23600	65000	0.6371	2,673	1100	0.9113	#35 #35 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Wingate University Wingate, NC Typical Net Price $23,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $65,000 % Savings 64% Undergraduates 2,673 Est. Median SAT 1,100 Acceptance Rate 91.1 %
36	Meredith College	23700	77300	0.6929	1,206	1237	0.7418	#36 #36 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Meredith College Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $23,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $77,300 % Savings 69% Undergraduates 1,206 Est. Median SAT 1,237 Acceptance Rate 74.2 %
37	Gardner-Webb University	23800	50400	0.5281	1,840	1085	0.8702	#37 #37 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs, NC Typical Net Price $23,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,400 % Savings 53% Undergraduates 1,840 Est. Median SAT 1,085 Acceptance Rate 87.0 %
38	University of North Carolina Wilmington	24400	24500	0.0029	15,254	1270	0.6424	#38 #38 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 %
39	Belmont Abbey College	24500	35600	0.3116	1,549	1075	0.9038	#39 #39 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC Typical Net Price $24,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $35,600 % Savings 31% Undergraduates 1,549 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 90.4 %
40	Lenoir-Rhyne University	24900	49900	0.5011	1,477	1075	0.8068	#40 #40 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC Typical Net Price $24,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,900 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 1,477 Est. Median SAT 1,075 Acceptance Rate 80.7 %
41	William Peace University	25000	50200	0.5024	719	1170	0.9425	#41 #41 Middle Class Affordability Rankings William Peace University Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $25,000 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $50,200 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 719 Est. Median SAT 1,170 Acceptance Rate 94.3 %
42	Bennett College	25300	46500	0.4549	195	920	0.3361	#42 #42 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Bennett College Greensboro, NC Typical Net Price $25,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $46,500 % Savings 45% Undergraduates 195 Est. Median SAT 920 Acceptance Rate 33.6 %
43	Shaw University	25900	33300	0.2208	843	865	0.3048	#43 #43 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Shaw University Raleigh, NC Typical Net Price $25,900 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $33,300 % Savings 22% Undergraduates 843 Est. Median SAT 865 Acceptance Rate 30.5 %
44	Pfeiffer University	26700	56100	0.524	654	941	0.9126	#44 #44 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Pfeiffer University Misenheimer, NC Typical Net Price $26,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,100 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 654 Est. Median SAT 941 Acceptance Rate 91.3 %
45	Methodist University	26800	49500	0.4593	1,436	1175	0.752	#45 #45 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Methodist University Fayetteville, NC Typical Net Price $26,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $49,500 % Savings 46% Undergraduates 1,436 Est. Median SAT 1,175 Acceptance Rate 75.2 %
46	Johnson C Smith University	27300	39600	0.3108	1,252	885	0.4521	#46 #46 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Johnson C Smith University Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $27,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $39,600 % Savings 31% Undergraduates 1,252 Est. Median SAT 885 Acceptance Rate 45.2 %
47	Montreat College	29100	55000	0.4712	759	1055	0.6555	#47 #47 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Montreat College Montreat, NC Typical Net Price $29,100 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $55,000 % Savings 47% Undergraduates 759 Est. Median SAT 1,055 Acceptance Rate 65.6 %
48	Queens University of Charlotte	29600	65500	0.5479	1,225	1235	0.5651	#48 #48 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $29,600 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $65,500 % Savings 55% Undergraduates 1,225 Est. Median SAT 1,235 Acceptance Rate 56.5 %
49	Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte	30800	63700	0.5161	1,184	1015	0.7989	#49 #49 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Charlotte, NC Typical Net Price $30,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $63,700 % Savings 52% Undergraduates 1,184 Est. Median SAT 1,015 Acceptance Rate 79.9 %
50	Campbell University	32300	65100	0.5035	2,699	1120	0.872	#50 #50 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Campbell University Buies Creek, NC Typical Net Price $32,300 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $65,100 % Savings 50% Undergraduates 2,699 Est. Median SAT 1,120 Acceptance Rate 87.2 %
51	Lees-McRae College	32700	56600	0.4224	873	1140	0.7685	#51 #51 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Lees-McRae College Banner Elk, NC Typical Net Price $32,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $56,600 % Savings 42% Undergraduates 873 Est. Median SAT 1,140 Acceptance Rate 76.9 %
52	University of Mount Olive	34500	34500	0	1,937	945	0.7775	#52 #52 Middle Class Affordability Rankings University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC Typical Net Price $34,500 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $34,500 % Savings -- Undergraduates 1,937 Est. Median SAT 945 Acceptance Rate 77.8 %
53	Elon University	38700	67300	0.4254	6,452	1244	0.6635	#53 #53 Middle Class Affordability Rankings Elon University Elon, NC Typical Net Price $38,700 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $67,300 % Savings 43% Undergraduates 6,452 Est. Median SAT 1,244 Acceptance Rate 66.4 %
54	High Point University	45800	69700	0.3434	5,006	1209	0.7683	#54 #54 Middle Class Affordability Rankings High Point University High Point, NC Typical Net Price $45,800 • Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Sticker Price $69,700 % Savings 34% Undergraduates 5,006 Est. Median SAT 1,209 Acceptance Rate 76.8 %