Cheapest Business/Commerce Colleges in North Carolina

Wake Forest University graduates in Business/Commerce earn $66,653 annually while starting with manageable debt of $18,899, making it competitive despite the $28,746 net cost. The $18,827 gap between the cheapest option at UNC Pembroke ($9,918) and the most expensive reflects North Carolina's mix of accessible public education and elite private institutions. Business graduates find strong opportunities in Charlotte's banking sector and the Research Triangle's growing corporate market, where major employers like Bank of America and Duke Energy maintain headquarters.

Programs

$9,918 – $28,746

Net Price Range

$66,653

Avg. Program Earnings

47.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Business/Commerce, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, North Carolina	$9,918	$3,571	44.5%	89.7%
2	Chowan University Murfreesboro, North Carolina	$16,189	$27,110	28.5%	86.7%
3	Carolina University Winston-Salem, North Carolina	$18,866	$16,000	29.2%	52.0%
4	William Peace University Raleigh, North Carolina	$21,728	$33,150	44.3%	63.2%
5	Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, North Carolina	$28,746	$64,758	90.9%	21.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between UNC Pembroke and Wake Forest?

UNC Pembroke offers in-state tuition at just $3,571 compared to Wake Forest's $64,758 sticker price. Public funding allows UNC Pembroke to serve students at a fraction of private school costs, though Wake Forest's 90.90% graduation rate significantly exceeds UNC Pembroke's 44.50%.

How do acceptance rates vary among these business programs?

Wake Forest admits only 21.37% of applicants while UNC Pembroke accepts 89.74%, reflecting different institutional selectivity levels. Mid-tier private schools like Chowan (86.68%) and Carolina University (52.02%) fall between these extremes.

Does choosing a more expensive program guarantee better graduation outcomes?

Wake Forest achieves a 90.90% graduation rate compared to 28.50% at Chowan University and 29.20% at Carolina University. However, UNC Pembroke matches private William Peace University at approximately 44% despite costing less than half the price.

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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.