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Cheapest Special Education and Teaching Colleges in North Carolina

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

Elizabeth City State University offers the most affordable Special Education and Teaching program in North Carolina at just $7,237 net cost, creating an unusual opportunity for future educators to enter the field with minimal debt. The price gap between public and private options reaches extreme levels, with some private colleges charging over $20,000 annually while public universities average under $15,000. North Carolina's teaching shortage, particularly in special education, has prompted districts across the Research Triangle and Charlotte metro areas to offer signing bonuses and loan forgiveness programs for new graduates. Western Carolina University graduates earn $35,487 starting salaries, while UNC Charlotte graduates command $38,405, reflecting regional demand variations. The state's public universities maintain acceptance rates above 70%, making admission accessible for students committed to serving children with disabilities.
24
Programs
$7,237 – $41,048
Net Price Range
$37,574
Avg. Program Earnings
51.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

24 Special Education and Teaching Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
2 $9,918 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%
3 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
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 $18,165 $35,536 40.4% 68.4%
11 $18,210 $33,400 52.1% 67.1%
12 $19,314 $20,400 40.8% 84.3%
13 $19,472 $7,317 70.7% 68.8%
14 $20,313 $37,270 41.9% 74.2%
15 $21,728 $33,150 44.3% 63.2%
16 $21,953 $33,930 42.6% 69.1%
17 $22,858 $19,140 20.6% 44.6%
18 $23,665 $35,600 51.5% 94.6%
19 $23,991 $40,410 55.9% 88.6%
20 $24,978 $39,664 40.1% 75.7%
21 $25,765 $31,140 44.2% 61.3%
22 $33,756 $30,800 27.1% 64.8%
23 $40,721 $44,208 70.0% 78.9%
24 $41,048 $44,536 83.0% 74.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Elizabeth City State University so much cheaper than other programs?

Elizabeth City State University charges just $7,237 net cost compared to the state average of $15,445 for Special Education programs. The university receives significant state funding as an HBCU, allowing it to keep tuition at $3,412 for in-state students. However, the program has a 48.10% graduation rate, which prospective students should consider alongside the cost savings.

How much can Special Education teachers expect to earn after graduation in North Carolina?

Starting salaries for Special Education graduates range from $35,487 at Western Carolina University to $38,405 at UNC Charlotte, reflecting regional economic differences. The higher-paying positions typically cluster around Charlotte's banking sector and the Research Triangle's tech companies, where corporations often contract special education services. These earnings align with North Carolina's average teacher starting salary of $37,000 statewide.

Is the graduation rate at public universities concerning for this major?

Public university graduation rates in Special Education range from 44.50% at UNC Pembroke to 73.10% at Appalachian State University. The lower rates often reflect the demanding nature of education coursework combined with required student teaching placements. UNC Wilmington achieves a 70.70% graduation rate while maintaining reasonable costs, making it a strong middle-ground option.

Does student debt vary significantly between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Student debt loads show surprising consistency, ranging from $19,039 at UNC Wilmington to $26,018 at East Carolina University among schools reporting debt data. Even expensive private colleges don't necessarily create higher debt burdens due to need-based aid packages. The NC Need-Based Scholarship program helps keep debt manageable for qualifying students across all institution types.

Where do acceptance rates make admission most competitive for Special Education programs?

William Peace University has the lowest acceptance rate at 63.18%, followed by Catawba College at 67.08%, both private institutions with smaller cohort sizes. UNC Wilmington, despite being public, accepts only 68.83% of applicants due to its coastal location appeal. Most public universities accept over 80% of Special Education applicants, reflecting the state's urgent need for qualified special education teachers.

More Special Education and Teaching Rankings

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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.