North Carolina College Tuition Trends from 2015 to 2025

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Tuition trends by school type and level for North Carolina colleges

There are 81 four-year colleges and universities in North Carolina—17 public institutions and 64 private institutions. This page summarizes average tuition & fees and how costs have changed over time based on the latest available IPEDS data.

Undergraduate Tuition Trends

Public colleges: In 2025, average in-state tuition & fees are $7,622, while out-of-state tuition & fees are $20,991. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 2.47% and out-of-state costs changed by 2.71%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 13.55% (in-state) and 7.34% (out-of-state).

Private colleges: The average tuition & fees are $27,659 in 2025. That is a 2.52% change from last year and 21.44% cumulative growth since 2015.

Graduate Tuition Trends

Public graduate schools: In 2025, average in-state graduate tuition & fees are $8,745, while out-of-state graduate tuition & fees are $23,161. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 3.66% and out-of-state costs changed by 2.48%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 24.23% (in-state) and 20.23% (out-of-state).

Private graduate schools: The average graduate tuition & fees are $16,742 in 2025. That is a 4.73% change from last year and 23.52% cumulative growth since 2015.

Public vs. private comparison (increase rates): In 2025, private undergraduate tuition changed by 2.52% year-over-year. Public undergraduate in-state changed by 2.47% (lower by 0.05 percentage points vs. private), and public out-of-state changed by 2.71% (higher by 0.19 percentage points vs. private). Over the full period since 2015, private undergraduate tuition grew by 21.44%, compared with public in-state 13.55% (lower by 7.89 percentage points vs. private) and public out-of-state 7.34% (lower by 14.10 percentage points vs. private).

Graduate comparison: In 2025, private graduate tuition changed by 4.73% year-over-year. Public graduate in-state changed by 3.66% (lower by 1.07 percentage points vs. private), and public graduate out-of-state changed by 2.48% (lower by 2.25 percentage points vs. private). Since 2015, private graduate tuition grew by 23.52%, compared with public graduate in-state 24.23% (higher by 0.71 percentage points vs. private) and public graduate out-of-state 20.23% (lower by 3.29 percentage points vs. private).

COA Trends

Undergraduate cost of attendance change by school type (tuition & fees + room & board): In 2025, estimated on-campus COA is $24,184 (public in-state), $37,554 (public out-of-state), and $44,221 (private). Year-over-year, on-campus COA changed by 4.17%, 3.70%, and 3.43%, respectively. Since 2015, cumulative on-campus COA growth is 26.65% (public in-state), 17.58% (public out-of-state), and 25.78% (private).

Off-campus COA: In 2025, estimated off-campus COA is $24,691 (public in-state), $38,060 (public out-of-state), and $44,728 (private). Year-over-year, off-campus COA changed by 5.24%, 4.38%, and 4.01%. Since 2015, cumulative off-campus COA growth is 27.67% (public in-state), 18.26% (public out-of-state), and 26.34% (private).

Tuition & Fees Trends of North Carolina Colleges from 2015 to 2025

The tables and charts below show how average college tuition and fees have changed in North Carolina from 2015 through 2025.

All figures are based on the latest available IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data published by the U.S. Department of Education. To keep the comparisons consistent, these averages reflect 4-year colleges and universities in North Carolina and exclude most community colleges and trade schools due to differences in reporting and availability.

Under. (Public) Under. (Private) Graduate (Public) Graduate (Private)
For North Carolina public schools, the 2025 undergraduate in-state tuition & fees are $7,622 which has increased by 13.55% over the current decade and the out-of-state cost is $20,991 which has risen by 7.34%. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 0.73% while last year increase rate was 2.71%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for North Carolina Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$6,984$7,157$7,436$7,008$7,121$7,175$7,201$7,212$7,438$7,622
Year-to-Year Rates4.05%2.48%3.89%-5.76%1.61%0.76%0.37%0.15%3.14%2.47%
Cumulative Rates4.05%6.63%10.77%4.40%6.08%6.89%7.28%7.44%10.81%13.55%
Out-of-State Costs$20,113$20,580$21,125$19,473$19,768$19,822$20,040$19,816$20,438$20,991
Year-to-Year Rates2.85%2.32%2.65%-7.82%1.52%0.27%1.10%-1.12%3.14%2.71%
Cumulative Rates2.85%5.24%8.02%-0.43%1.08%1.36%2.47%1.33%4.51%7.34%
For private schools in North Carolina state, the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees are $27,659 which has increased by 21.44% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 2.14% while last year increase rate was 2.52%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for North Carolina Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$23,383$23,983$24,789$24,308$26,150$25,172$25,733$27,118$26,979$27,659
Year-to-Year Rates2.67%2.57%3.36%-1.94%7.58%-3.74%2.23%5.38%-0.51%2.52%
Cumulative Rates2.67%5.30%8.84%6.73%14.82%10.52%12.98%19.07%18.46%21.44%
The average graduate school tuition & fees of North Carolina public schools are $8,745 which has increased by 24.23% over the current decade and the out-of-state graduate cost is $23,161 which has risen by 20.23%. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 2.02% while last year increase rate was 2.48%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for North Carolina Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$7,365$7,671$7,882$8,024$8,140$8,161$8,195$8,258$8,436$8,745
Year-to-Year Rates4.62%4.15%2.76%1.79%1.45%0.25%0.42%0.77%2.16%3.66%
Cumulative Rates4.62%8.97%11.97%13.98%15.64%15.93%16.42%17.31%19.85%24.23%
Out-of-State Costs$19,910$20,523$21,034$21,360$21,603$21,624$21,934$22,206$22,600$23,161
Year-to-Year Rates3.35%3.08%2.49%1.55%1.14%0.10%1.43%1.24%1.78%2.48%
Cumulative Rates3.35%6.53%9.19%10.88%12.14%12.25%13.86%15.27%17.32%20.23%
For private graduate schools in North Carolina state, the 2025 tuition & fees are $16,742 which has increased by 23.52% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 2.35196% while last year increase rate was 4.73%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for North Carolina Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$13,680$14,028$14,471$14,618$15,378$15,701$15,514$16,322$15,986$16,742
Year-to-Year Rates0.93%2.54%3.16%1.01%5.20%2.10%-1.19%5.21%-2.06%4.73%
Cumulative Rates0.93%3.49%6.77%7.84%13.46%15.83%14.46%20.42%17.94%23.52%
You can check the changes of other college costs including room & board costs, book & supplies, and other living expenses at North Carolina college cost trends.