Skip to main content

Cheapest Sociology Colleges in North Carolina

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

Elizabeth City State University offers sociology students the lowest net price in North Carolina at just $7,237, while graduates from UNC Charlotte earn the highest median salary of $30,988. This price gap of over $11,000 between the most and least expensive programs creates clear pathways for students across different economic backgrounds. The state's Research Triangle region employs thousands of sociology graduates in market research, social services, and healthcare administration roles. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 13 of the 15 most budget-friendly programs coming from state institutions. UNC Chapel Hill stands out with a 92.10% graduation rate despite charging $12,983 in net costs. North Carolina's banking sector in Charlotte and healthcare systems statewide actively recruit sociology majors for human resources, community outreach, and patient advocacy positions.
34
Programs
$7,237 – $41,048
Net Price Range
$28,188
Avg. Program Earnings
57.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

34 Sociology Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
2 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
3 $9,918 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%
4 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
5 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
6 $12,579 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
7 $12,865 $7,461 55.0% 74.3%
8 $12,983 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
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 $15,662 $18,296 27.1% 63.8%
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 $18,127 $60,300 91.9% 17.0%
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 $19,472 $7,317 70.7% 68.8%
23 $20,197 $43,936 65.0% 73.2%
24 $20,313 $37,270 41.9% 74.2%
25 $21,200 $41,140 47.7% 83.5%
26 $21,371 $40,196 46.8% 86.2%
27 $23,393 $30,900 51.0% 82.9%
28 $23,719 $40,290 43.2% 84.0%
29 $24,137 $33,450 61.7% 75.0%
30 $24,978 $39,664 40.1% 75.7%
31 $27,786 $43,285 65.9% 71.3%
32 $28,746 $64,758 90.9% 21.4%
33 $34,454 $65,805 95.8% 6.4%
34 $41,048 $44,536 83.0% 74.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Elizabeth City State University the most affordable sociology option?

Elizabeth City State University charges just $7,237 in net costs, the lowest among all North Carolina sociology programs. In-state students pay only $3,412 annually, making it accessible for local residents. The university maintains a 74.15% acceptance rate and 48.10% graduation rate. This combination of low costs and reasonable outcomes makes it particularly attractive for budget-conscious students.

How much can sociology graduates expect to earn in North Carolina?

Sociology graduates in North Carolina earn between $20,824 and $30,988 annually depending on their school. UNC Charlotte graduates lead with $30,988 in median earnings, followed closely by UNC Greensboro at $30,371. Fayetteville State produces graduates earning $30,047 despite having the second-lowest net price at $7,360. These earnings reflect the state's growing demand for social services professionals.

Does attending a more expensive program guarantee higher graduation rates?

Not necessarily, as the data shows mixed results across price points. UNC Chapel Hill has the highest graduation rate at 92.10% with a $12,983 net price, while Shaw University charges $14,083 but graduates only 20.20% of students. Appalachian State achieves a strong 73.10% graduation rate at $16,487 net cost. Success depends more on institutional support and student fit than price alone.

Where do most affordable sociology programs cluster in North Carolina?

Public universities dominate the affordable tier, with schools like Elizabeth City State at $7,237 and Fayetteville State at $7,360 leading the way. Most state institutions fall between $7,000 and $17,000 in net costs. Private colleges like Shaw University and Livingstone College typically charge $14,000 to $16,000. The University of North Carolina system provides the best value across multiple campuses statewide.

Is student debt manageable at these affordable sociology programs?

Debt levels vary significantly, with UNC Chapel Hill graduates owing just $14,050 despite strong earning potential. UNC Asheville keeps debt low at $20,585 while charging $12,865 net. North Carolina A&T graduates carry higher debt at $27,953 but also earn $28,598 annually. Most programs keep debt below $25,000, which remains manageable given regional salary expectations.

More Sociology Rankings

Best Value Sociology in North Carolina Sociology Under $20,000 in North Carolina

Related

All Sociology Programs Best Colleges in North Carolina Best Sociology in North Carolina

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.