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Cheapest Accounting and Related Services Colleges in North Carolina

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Wake Technical Community College delivers North Carolina's most affordable accounting program at just $6,935 net cost, making professional training accessible in Raleigh's booming financial sector. The state's 15 accounting programs show dramatic cost variation, with prices climbing from Wake Tech's community college model to NC State's $16,931 despite both serving the Research Triangle region. Charlotte's banking headquarters and the Research Triangle's corporate concentration create strong demand for accounting professionals, with graduates earning between $26,353 and $47,260 annually. Elizabeth City State University offers remarkable value at $7,237 net cost while maintaining 74% acceptance rates. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 14 of the 15 lowest-cost programs coming from state institutions that leverage North Carolina's investment in higher education accessibility.
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 In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,935 $2,336 31.4%
2 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
3 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
4 $9,918 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%
5 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
6 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
7 $12,579 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
8 $12,865 $7,461 55.0% 74.3%
9 $13,393 $6,735 48.6% 73.4%
10 $14,083 $17,176 20.2% 61.0%
11 $14,745 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
12 $15,028 $6,542 46.0% 84.4%
13 $16,487 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
14 $16,514 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
15 $16,931 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
16 $17,740 $16,896 33.2% 58.9%
17 $17,893 $25,950 47.5% 74.6%
18 $18,165 $35,536 40.4% 68.4%
19 $18,210 $33,400 52.1% 67.1%
20 $18,835 $32,236 56.3% 87.5%
21 $19,314 $20,400 40.8% 84.3%
22 $20,197 $43,936 65.0% 73.2%
23 $21,200 $41,140 47.7% 83.5%
24 $21,371 $40,196 46.8% 86.2%
25 $21,953 $33,930 42.6% 69.1%
26 $23,393 $30,900 51.0% 82.9%
27 $23,613 $19,500 46.4% 97.2%
28 $23,665 $35,600 51.5% 94.6%
29 $23,991 $40,410 55.9% 88.6%
30 $24,137 $33,450 61.7% 75.0%
31 $24,978 $39,664 40.1% 75.7%
32 $27,786 $43,285 65.9% 71.3%
33 $28,746 $64,758 90.9% 21.4%
34 $28,901 $40,408 52.1% 73.3%
35 $40,721 $44,208 70.0% 78.9%
36 $41,048 $44,536 83.0% 74.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Wake Technical Community College so much cheaper than other accounting programs?

Wake Tech's $6,935 net cost reflects its community college structure, which focuses on practical skills training rather than four-year degree requirements. The in-state tuition of just $2,336 makes it accessible for North Carolina residents seeking accounting credentials. Community colleges typically have lower overhead costs and receive significant state funding. This model works well for students who want to enter accounting quickly or transfer to four-year programs later.

How do graduation rates compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

NC State commands the highest net cost at $16,931 but delivers an 84.6% graduation rate, significantly above the state average. In contrast, Wake Tech shows a 31.4% graduation rate, typical for community colleges where students often transfer or enter the workforce early. Elizabeth City State achieves 48.1% graduation rates at just $7,237 net cost, offering solid value. The data shows that higher costs often correlate with better completion rates, but several mid-range schools like UNC Greensboro achieve 57.9% rates at $10,170.

Is there a significant earnings gap between graduates from different price points?

NC State graduates earn the highest at $47,260 annually despite the program's $16,931 cost, suggesting strong return on investment. UNC Charlotte graduates earn $47,113 at a lower $14,745 net cost, making it potentially the best value proposition. North Carolina Central shows the lowest graduate earnings at $26,353 despite a mid-range $15,028 cost. The earnings range from $26,353 to $47,260 indicates that school choice significantly impacts career prospects in North Carolina's accounting market.

Does acceptance rate affect program affordability?

NC State's selective 47.17% acceptance rate corresponds with its highest net cost of $16,931, reflecting competitive admission standards. More affordable options like East Carolina University maintain 92.34% acceptance rates at $16,514 net cost, offering easier access. UNC Pembroke accepts 89.74% of applicants while keeping costs at $9,918, providing good accessibility. The data suggests that students can find affordable accounting programs without facing extremely competitive admission requirements at most North Carolina institutions.

Where do the lowest student debt levels occur among affordable programs?

NC State graduates carry the lowest debt burden at $18,500 despite the higher program cost, indicating strong financial aid packages. Western Carolina and UNC Asheville both show debt levels around $19,500 while maintaining moderate net costs under $13,000. Fayetteville State keeps debt at $20,000 with a $7,360 net cost, offering good debt management. North Carolina A&T shows higher debt at $26,216, matching Winston-Salem State's $26,000, suggesting these programs may require more borrowing despite reasonable net costs.

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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.