The average tuition & fees of North Carolina colleges is $3,693 for North Carolina residents and $11,252 for students from other States.
Duke University has the highest (most expensive) tuition & fees of $68,758 and Carolina College of Biblical Studies has the lowest tuition & fees (cheapest) of $6,906.
For graduate programs,
Duke University has the highest (most expensive) graduate tuition & fees of $68,758 and
Greensboro College has the lowest graduate tuition & fees (cheapest) of $21,000 in North Carolina.
The average COA of North Carolina 4-year colleges in 2025 is $25,291 for North Carolina residents and $38,660 for students from other states. The COA includes tuition & fees, books & supplies, room & board, and other living expenses, but it excludes health insurance fee and uncommon expenses.
Table. 2025 Average cost of Attendance for North Carolina Colleges (4-Years)
| Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Tuition & Fees |
$7,622 | $20,991 |
$8,745 | $23,161 |
|---|
| Books & Supplies | $1,107 | $1,107 |
|---|
| Room & Board | $16,562 | $16,562 |
|---|
| COA | $25,291 | $38,660 | $26,414 | $40,830 |
|---|
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In North Carolina, 156 schools offer undergraduate programs. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of North Carolina colleges is $3,693 for North Carolina residents and $11,252 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025.
The North Carolina tuition & fees have risen 2.71% from last year (4 years colleges).
The following table and chart describe the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees trends over last 5 years in 4-years and 2-4 years (community colleges) colleges.
You may want to compare North Carolina schools with tuition changes from last year at North Carolina colleges tuition change page.
2025 Average Undergraduate Tuition & Fees for North Carolina Colleges
|
Public Schools | Private Schools |
|---|
| 4 Years or High | 2-4 Years | 4 Years or High | 2-4 Years |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| 2021 |
$7,175 | $19,822 |
$2,456 | $8,254 |
$25,007 | $18,948 |
|---|
| 2022 |
$7,201 | $20,040 |
$2,476 | $8,287 |
$25,548 | $19,618 |
|---|
| 2023 |
$7,212 | $19,816 |
$2,486 | $8,289 |
$26,913 | $20,620 |
|---|
| 2024 |
$7,438 | $20,438 |
$2,542 | $8,473 |
$26,777 | $21,272 |
|---|
| 2025 |
$7,622 | $20,991 |
$2,561 | $8,446 |
$27,659 | $19,968 |
|---|
Graduate Program Tuition & Fees
60 North Carolina colleges offer graduate programs. The average graduate program tuition fees of North Carolina colleges is $8,745 for North Carolina residents and $23,161 for students from other States. The graduate tuition & fees rose 102.48% from last year.
The following table and chart describe the 2025 graduate tuition & fees and show last 5 years' tuition change.
2025 Average Graduate Tuition & Fees for North Carolina Universities and Colleges
|
Public Schools | Private Schools |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| 2021 |
$8,161 | $21,624 | $15,746 |
|---|
| 2022 |
$8,195 | $21,934 | $15,559 |
|---|
| 2023 |
$8,258 | $22,206 | $16,350 |
|---|
| 2024 |
$8,436 | $22,600 | $16,020 |
|---|
| 2025 |
$8,745 | $23,161 | $16,742 |
|---|
Books & Supplies cost
The average books & supplies cost of North Carolina colleges in 2025 is $1,107. The books & supplies cost rose 95.92% from last year. The following table and chart describes the 2025 books & supplies cost and cost changes over last 5 years.
2025 Average Books & Supplies cost for North Carolina Universities and Colleges
| Books & Supplies |
|---|
| 2021 | $1,179 |
|---|
| 2022 | $1,169 |
|---|
| 2023 | $1,144 |
|---|
| 2024 | $1,154 |
|---|
| 2025 | $1,107 |
|---|
Average Living cost
The average living cost of North Carolina colleges in 2025 is $16,562 when a student lives on campus such as dormitory and college apartment and $17,069 living off campus. 57 schools have on-campus living facilities in North Carolina State. The on-campus living cost rose 104.98% and off-campus cost rose 105.96% from last year.
The following table and chart describes the 2025 living cost and compares to last 5 years.
2025 Average Living cost for North Carolina Universities and Colleges
| On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|
| 2021 | $13,764 | $13,434 |
|---|
| 2022 | $14,131 | $14,113 |
|---|
| 2023 | $14,706 | $14,683 |
|---|
| 2024 | $15,777 | $16,109 |
|---|
| 2025 | $16,562 | $17,069 |
|---|