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Best Value Psychology Colleges in North Carolina

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

Elizabeth City State University delivers North Carolina's most affordable psychology education at just $7,237 net cost, while graduates from UNC Chapel Hill command the highest salaries at $29,363 annually. This $22,126 cost difference reflects a broader pattern across the state's 15 psychology programs, where public universities consistently outperform private institutions in value metrics. Psychology graduates find ample opportunities in North Carolina's expanding healthcare sector, particularly in the Research Triangle's medical research facilities and Charlotte's growing behavioral health services. The state's public universities dominate the best value rankings, with 11 of the top 12 spots going to state institutions. Graduation rates span from 33% to 92%, revealing significant quality differences even among similarly priced programs. North Carolina's psychology programs serve students across varied price points, from under $8,000 at historically black institutions to over $20,000 at private colleges, yet earnings potential remains surprisingly consistent across most programs.
50
Programs
$7,237 – $41,048
Net Price Range
$26,329
Avg. Program Earnings
52.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Psychology, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,360 $26,585 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
2 $7,237 $23,649 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
3 $9,918 $24,863 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%
4 $10,980 $27,484 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
5 $10,170 $24,916 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
6 $12,983 $29,363 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
7 $12,579 $26,684 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
8 $15,028 $28,770 $6,542 46.0% 84.4%
9 $12,865 $24,164 $7,461 55.0% 74.3%
10 $14,745 $27,578 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
11 $16,514 $30,047 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
12 $18,165 $31,773 $35,536 40.4% 68.4%
13 $13,393 $21,850 $6,735 48.6% 73.4%
14 $20,197 $29,141 $43,936 65.0% 73.2%
15 $17,740 $25,194 $16,896 33.2% 58.9%
16 $21,371 $30,047 $40,196 46.8% 86.2%
17 $16,931 $23,803 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
18 $21,200 $28,870 $41,140 47.7% 83.5%
19 $23,991 $32,467 $40,410 55.9% 88.6%
20 $19,472 $26,142 $7,317 70.7% 68.8%
21 $16,487 $22,043 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
22 $21,376 $28,236 $31,250 39.0% 39.9%
23 $20,313 $25,194 $37,270 41.9% 74.2%
24 $20,011 $24,421 $20,480 34.1% 25.3%
25 $21,728 $26,187 $33,150 44.3% 63.2%
26 $17,893 $21,508 $25,950 47.5% 74.6%
27 $24,137 $26,121 $33,450 61.7% 75.0%
28 $34,454 $37,208 $65,805 95.8% 6.4%
29 $28,746 $29,685 $64,758 90.9% 21.4%
30 $25,765 $23,456 $31,140 44.2% 61.3%
31 $23,719 $17,624 $40,290 43.2% 84.0%
32 $27,786 $20,140 $43,285 65.9% 71.3%
33 $41,048 $23,649 $44,536 83.0% 74.5%
34 $18,835 $32,236 56.3% 87.5%
35 $14,083 $17,176 20.2% 61.0%
36 $33,756 $30,800 27.1% 64.8%
37 $28,901 $40,408 52.1% 73.3%
38 $18,866 $16,000 29.2% 52.0%
39 $26,328 $33,860 40.6% 68.1%
40 $21,953 $33,930 42.6% 69.1%
41 $24,978 $39,664 40.1% 75.7%
42 $15,662 $18,296 27.1% 63.8%
43 $23,393 $30,900 51.0% 82.9%
44 $40,721 $44,208 70.0% 78.9%
45 $19,314 $20,400 40.8% 84.3%
46 $18,127 $60,300 91.9% 17.0%
47 $16,189 $27,110 28.5% 86.7%
48 $18,210 $33,400 52.1% 67.1%
49 $22,858 $19,140 20.6% 44.6%
50 $23,613 $19,500 46.4% 97.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $22,126 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive psychology programs?

Elizabeth City State University charges $7,237 net cost while Meredith College costs $20,197, primarily due to public versus private funding structures. Public universities receive state subsidies that dramatically reduce student costs, while private institutions rely on tuition revenue. However, UNC Chapel Hill graduates earn $29,363 compared to Elizabeth City's $23,649, suggesting higher costs sometimes correlate with better career outcomes. The 11 public universities in the top 12 rankings demonstrate that state funding creates genuine value for psychology students.

How do graduation rates vary among North Carolina's psychology programs?

UNC Chapel Hill leads with a 92.1% graduation rate, while Saint Augustine's University graduates just 33.2% of psychology students. This 59-percentage-point gap represents the largest quality difference in the state's psychology programs. Most public universities cluster between 44% and 67% graduation rates, with only Chapel Hill exceeding 70%. Private institutions show mixed results, with Meredith College achieving 65% compared to Saint Augustine's 33.2%.

Is debt load manageable for North Carolina psychology graduates?

Psychology graduates typically borrow between $13,999 and $27,160, with UNC Chapel Hill offering the lowest debt despite strong earnings potential. Most programs cluster around $21,000-$26,000 in student debt, representing reasonable borrowing for expected salaries. Elizabeth City State creates the best debt-to-income ratio at $19,979 borrowed against $23,649 earnings. North Carolina Central University graduates face the highest debt burden at $27,160, though their $28,770 salary helps offset this cost.

Does selectivity correlate with program quality in North Carolina psychology programs?

UNC Chapel Hill accepts only 17.11% of applicants while producing the highest-earning graduates at $29,363 annually. However, East Carolina University accepts 92.34% of students yet generates strong graduate earnings of $30,047, the second-highest in the state. Most programs accept 70-90% of applicants, suggesting accessible admission standards across public universities. The data shows that selectivity doesn't always predict graduate success, as several highly accessible programs deliver solid career outcomes.

Where do North Carolina psychology graduates find employment opportunities?

The Research Triangle's medical research facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare systems employ many psychology graduates in clinical and research roles. Charlotte's banking sector increasingly hires psychology graduates for human resources and organizational development positions paying competitive salaries. East Carolina University graduates earn $30,047 annually, likely benefiting from the region's major medical center and healthcare network. State government positions in Raleigh also provide stable career paths for psychology graduates across multiple specializations.

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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.