Cheapest Public Health Colleges in North Carolina

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro stands out among North Carolina's public health programs with the lowest net price at $10,170, making quality education accessible to students across economic backgrounds. This affordability advantage becomes even more striking when compared to private options like Meredith College at $20,197. North Carolina's growing healthcare sector, anchored by major hospital systems like Novant Health and Atrium Health in Charlotte, creates strong demand for public health professionals throughout the state. The earnings data reveals interesting patterns, with Western Carolina University graduates earning $38,829 despite the program's relatively low cost of $12,579. Chapel Hill maintains its academic reputation with a 92.10% graduation rate, though acceptance remains highly competitive at just 17.11%. The state's public universities generally offer better value propositions than private institutions, with most public programs keeping net costs under $17,000 while delivering solid career outcomes in a state where healthcare employment continues expanding rapidly.

Programs

$10,170 – $41,048

Net Price Range

$32,948

Avg. Program Earnings

61.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

20 Public Health Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, North Carolina	$10,170	$7,593	57.9%	91.9%
2	North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, North Carolina	$10,980	$6,748	55.3%	56.4%
3	Western Carolina University Cullowhee, North Carolina	$12,579	$4,532	59.1%	84.8%
4	University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, North Carolina	$12,865	$7,461	55.0%	74.3%
5	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina	$12,983	$8,989	92.1%	17.1%
6	University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina	$14,745	$7,214	67.7%	79.6%
7	North Carolina Central University Durham, North Carolina	$15,028	$6,542	46.0%	84.4%
8	Appalachian State University Boone, North Carolina	$16,487	$7,541	73.1%	83.1%
9	East Carolina University Greenville, North Carolina	$16,514	$7,361	62.1%	92.3%
10	Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Concord, North Carolina	$17,271	$16,070	45.5%	44.9%
11	Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, North Carolina	$17,740	$16,896	33.2%	58.9%
12	North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, North Carolina	$18,165	$35,536	40.4%	68.4%
13	University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, North Carolina	$19,472	$7,317	70.7%	68.8%
14	Meredith College Raleigh, North Carolina	$20,197	$43,936	65.0%	73.2%
15	Guilford College Greensboro, North Carolina	$21,200	$41,140	47.7%	83.5%
16	Barton College Wilson, North Carolina	$23,665	$35,600	51.5%	94.6%
17	Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina	$27,786	$43,285	65.9%	71.3%
18	Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina	$28,901	$40,408	52.1%	73.3%
19	Duke University Durham, North Carolina	$34,454	$65,805	95.8%	6.4%
20	Elon University Elon, North Carolina	$41,048	$44,536	83.0%	74.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UNC Greensboro the most affordable option for public health students?

UNC Greensboro offers the lowest net price at $10,170 with an in-state tuition of just $7,593, making it accessible to a broad range of students. The university maintains a high acceptance rate of 91.94% while delivering solid career outcomes with graduates earning $33,410 annually. The combination of low costs and reasonable earnings potential creates an attractive value proposition for students entering the public health field.

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

Graduation rates span a wide range from 33.20% at Saint Augustine's University to an impressive 92.10% at UNC Chapel Hill. Most public universities cluster between 55-73%, with Western Carolina at 59.10% and UNC Charlotte at 67.70%. The data suggests that higher-priced private institutions don't necessarily guarantee better completion rates, as several affordable public options maintain solid graduation performance.

Where do public health graduates earn the highest starting salaries in North Carolina?

Western Carolina University graduates command the highest starting salaries at $38,829, followed closely by UNC Charlotte graduates at $38,649. These earnings significantly exceed those from Appalachian State at $27,947, creating a $10,882 difference between the highest and lowest reported salaries. The variation suggests that program focus, location, and industry connections may influence early career earning potential more than program cost.

Does attending a private college provide better value for public health students?

Private colleges in North Carolina generally cost significantly more without delivering proportionally better outcomes for public health students. Meredith College charges $20,197 in net costs compared to $10,170 at UNC Greensboro, nearly doubling the expense. While some private institutions like Meredith maintain decent graduation rates at 65%, the public options often provide comparable or superior value when considering both cost and career outcomes.

Is student debt a major concern for public health graduates in North Carolina?

Student debt levels vary considerably, ranging from $19,000 at Appalachian State to $31,000 at North Carolina Central University. Most programs keep debt levels between $21,000-$27,000, which remains manageable given typical public health starting salaries. The debt-to-earnings ratios generally favor public institutions, where lower borrowing requirements align better with early career income expectations in the field.

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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.