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Best Value Accounting and Related Services Colleges in North Carolina

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

North Carolina's accounting programs show extreme affordability at the bottom and top of the earnings scale. Elizabeth City State University delivers the lowest net price at $7,237 while still producing graduates earning $30,771, creating an impressive return on investment. At the other end, NC State and Gardner-Webb graduates both reach $47,260 in earnings, but NC State achieves this with significantly lower debt loads at $18,500 compared to Gardner-Webb's $24,511. The state's position as a major banking center, with Charlotte serving as the second-largest financial center in the US after New York, creates strong demand for accounting professionals across corporate finance, audit, and tax services. Public institutions dominate the value proposition here, with 12 of the 15 schools offering in-state tuition under $9,000. The graduation rate spread tells an important story too, ranging from Elizabeth City State's 48.1% to NC State's impressive 84.6%, suggesting that higher-performing programs justify their increased costs through better completion rates and career outcomes.
36
Programs
$6,935 – $41,048
Net Price Range
$42,577
Avg. Program Earnings
53.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

36 Accounting and Related Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,360 $36,992 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
2 $9,918 $46,321 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%
3 $7,237 $30,771 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
4 $10,170 $42,402 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
5 $10,980 $40,791 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
6 $14,745 $47,113 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
7 $13,393 $42,682 $6,735 48.6% 73.4%
8 $12,579 $37,856 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
9 $12,865 $38,289 $7,461 55.0% 74.3%
10 $16,931 $47,260 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
11 $16,487 $44,989 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
12 $16,514 $43,798 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
13 $18,165 $41,937 $35,536 40.4% 68.4%
14 $21,200 $46,790 $41,140 47.7% 83.5%
15 $24,137 $47,260 $33,450 61.7% 75.0%
16 $23,613 $43,519 $19,500 46.4% 97.2%
17 $24,978 $44,971 $39,664 40.1% 75.7%
18 $23,991 $43,128 $40,410 55.9% 88.6%
19 $15,028 $26,353 $6,542 46.0% 84.4%
20 $28,901 $46,254 $40,408 52.1% 73.3%
21 $23,665 $37,208 $35,600 51.5% 94.6%
22 $41,048 $60,016 $44,536 83.0% 74.5%
23 $17,893 $25,950 47.5% 74.6%
24 $20,197 $43,936 65.0% 73.2%
25 $23,393 $30,900 51.0% 82.9%
26 $40,721 $44,208 70.0% 78.9%
27 $19,314 $20,400 40.8% 84.3%
28 $21,953 $33,930 42.6% 69.1%
29 $27,786 $43,285 65.9% 71.3%
30 $17,740 $16,896 33.2% 58.9%
31 $18,835 $32,236 56.3% 87.5%
32 $14,083 $17,176 20.2% 61.0%
33 $28,746 $64,758 90.9% 21.4%
34 $6,935 $2,336 31.4%
35 $21,371 $40,196 46.8% 86.2%
36 $18,210 $33,400 52.1% 67.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Elizabeth City State University such a strong value for accounting students?

Elizabeth City State University offers the lowest net price at $7,237 and extremely affordable in-state tuition at $3,412. Despite these low costs, graduates earn $30,771 annually, creating an excellent return on investment. The school maintains a reasonable acceptance rate of 74.15%, making it accessible while still maintaining academic standards.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in North Carolina accounting programs?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with NC State leading at 84.6% graduation rate despite a $16,931 net price. In contrast, some of the most affordable options like Fayetteville State show lower graduation rates at 35.2%. UNC Charlotte strikes a middle ground with 67.7% graduation rates at a $14,745 net price, suggesting students can find quality programs without paying premium prices.

Where do North Carolina accounting graduates earn the highest starting salaries?

NC State and Gardner-Webb graduates both reach the top earnings tier at $47,260 annually, followed closely by UNC Charlotte at $47,113. UNC Pembroke also performs well with graduates earning $46,321 despite having one of the lower net prices at $9,918. These salary levels reflect North Carolina's strong financial sector, particularly in Charlotte's banking district.

Does attending a private accounting program in North Carolina justify the higher costs?

Private programs show mixed value propositions compared to public alternatives. Guilford College charges $21,200 net price but produces graduates earning $46,790, which competes well with top public programs. However, Gardner-Webb at $24,137 net price achieves the same $47,260 earnings as NC State, but NC State costs $7,200 less annually while offering better graduation rates.

What debt levels should accounting students expect from North Carolina programs?

Debt loads vary significantly, with NC State graduates carrying the lowest burden at $18,500 despite strong earnings potential. Most public institutions keep debt between $19,000-$22,000, while some programs like North Carolina A&T show higher debt at $26,216. Private programs generally result in similar debt levels, with Gardner-Webb at $24,511 representing the highest debt load among the top programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.