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Cheapest Finance and Financial Management Services Colleges in North Carolina

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

Public universities dominate North Carolina's most affordable finance programs, with Fayetteville State University offering the lowest net cost at just $7,360 annually. This 19-school market shows a stark divide between public and private options, as even the most expensive public program costs less than the cheapest private alternative. Charlotte's status as a major banking center creates strong job prospects for graduates, with University of North Carolina at Charlotte finance alumni earning $48,162 on average. The state's public universities consistently deliver graduation rates above 50%, while private institutions struggle to match both the affordability and completion success of their public counterparts. North Carolina's growing financial services sector, anchored by major banks in Charlotte and fintech companies in the Research Triangle, provides ample internship and career opportunities for finance students across the state's affordable program options.
19
Programs
$7,360 – $41,048
Net Price Range
$49,025
Avg. Program Earnings
58.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Finance and Financial Management Services Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
2 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
3 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
4 $12,579 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
5 $13,393 $6,735 48.6% 73.4%
6 $14,745 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
7 $16,487 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
8 $16,514 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
9 $17,893 $25,950 47.5% 74.6%
10 $21,371 $40,196 46.8% 86.2%
11 $23,393 $30,900 51.0% 82.9%
12 $23,613 $19,500 46.4% 97.2%
13 $23,991 $40,410 55.9% 88.6%
14 $24,137 $33,450 61.7% 75.0%
15 $24,978 $39,664 40.1% 75.7%
16 $27,786 $43,285 65.9% 71.3%
17 $28,746 $64,758 90.9% 21.4%
18 $40,721 $44,208 70.0% 78.9%
19 $41,048 $44,536 83.0% 74.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can students save by choosing public over private finance programs in North Carolina?

Students can save over $10,000 annually by selecting public universities, with the most affordable public option at Fayetteville State costing $7,360 compared to the cheapest private program at $17,893. The gap widens significantly at the higher end, where Appalachian State's public program costs $16,487 while Methodist University charges $24,978. Even accounting for financial aid, public universities offer substantially better value for finance education.

What earning potential do North Carolina finance graduates achieve?

Finance graduates from North Carolina universities earn between $35,420 and $54,296 annually, with Appalachian State University leading at $54,296 despite its mid-range cost of $16,487. University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates earn $48,162, reflecting the strong job market in Charlotte's banking sector. Even graduates from the most affordable program at Fayetteville State earn a respectable $40,467, demonstrating solid return on investment across price points.

Do affordable finance programs maintain good graduation rates?

Most affordable public finance programs achieve graduation rates above 55%, with Appalachian State leading at 73.1% despite charging only $16,487 annually. University of North Carolina at Charlotte maintains a 67.7% graduation rate while keeping costs at $14,745. Even Fayetteville State, the most affordable option, graduates 35.2% of its students, though this lags behind other public alternatives.

Which North Carolina regions offer the best job prospects for finance graduates?

Charlotte stands out as North Carolina's financial center, hosting major banks and offering strong career opportunities that translate to higher graduate earnings at UNC Charlotte. The Research Triangle area provides growing fintech opportunities, while graduates from programs like East Carolina University can access both regional banking and the state's expanding healthcare finance sector. These regional connections help explain why even affordable programs produce competitive graduate earnings.

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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.