Best Colleges in North Carolina by ROI
Trying to find the best value in North Carolina? We ranked all 54 colleges we track here on what graduates actually earn versus what families actually pay, using U.S. Department of Education data. Duke University comes out on top at 96/100 - here's how every school compares.
We scored all 54 North Carolina colleges in our dataset from 0 to 100 on one thing: financial return. The state averages 35/100, on an average net price of $20,092 a year after grants and scholarships. The school that does best by your money is Duke University at 96/100.
Graduates of Duke University earn the most ten years out of any school in the state, a median $97,800. The lightest price tag belongs to Elizabeth City State University at $6,364 a year. The list below ranks every North Carolina college we scored by ROI, so you can weigh what you'd pay against what you'd likely earn.
Top 10 North Carolina Colleges by ROI Score
- 1Duke UniversityDurham, NC · Private NonprofitNet price$29,612/yrMedian earnings$97,80096ROI
- 2University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC · PublicNet price$11,655/yrMedian earnings$72,20094ROI
- 3Davidson CollegeDavidson, NC · Private NonprofitNet price$17,379/yrMedian earnings$81,40090ROI
- 4Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · Private NonprofitNet price$28,719/yrMedian earnings$78,15888ROI
- 5North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · PublicNet price$17,303/yrMedian earnings$68,75887ROI
- 6Elon UniversityElon, NC · Private NonprofitNet price$41,555/yrMedian earnings$74,54575ROI
- 7University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC · PublicNet price$15,435/yrMedian earnings$57,28968ROI
- 8East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · PublicNet price$15,739/yrMedian earnings$55,14661ROI
- 9University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington, NC · PublicNet price$20,109/yrMedian earnings$54,96759ROI
- 10Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC · PublicNet price$16,836/yrMedian earnings$51,83658ROI
North Carolina College ROI: Common Questions
What is the best-value college in North Carolina?
Duke University has the highest ROI score in North Carolina at 96/100, while the lowest net price among North Carolina schools we track is $6,364/year at Elizabeth City State University. Rankings are based on net price and median graduate earnings from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
How much does college cost in North Carolina?
The average net price across the 54 North Carolina colleges in our dataset is $20,092 per year, after grants and scholarships are applied. Actual cost varies widely by family income and institution.
Which North Carolina college has the highest graduate earnings?
Duke University reports the highest median earnings among North Carolina schools we scored, at $97,800 ten years after enrollment. Higher earnings do not always mean better ROI, since cost matters just as much.
How many colleges in North Carolina did CampusROI analyze?
We scored 54 colleges in North Carolina on return on investment. Of those, 8 earn an ROI score of 60 or higher. See our methodology for how each score is calculated.
All North Carolina Schools by ROI Score
54 schools
Duke University
Durham, NC
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Davidson College
Davidson, NC
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Elon University
Elon, NC
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC
High Point University
High Point, NC
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC
Queens University of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Greensboro, NC
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC
Wingate University
Wingate, NC
Gardner-Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
University of North Carolina Asheville
Asheville, NC
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, NC
University of Mount Olive
Mount Olive, NC
Lees-McRae College
Banner Elk, NC
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Hickory, NC
William Peace University
Raleigh, NC
Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem, NC
Methodist University
Fayetteville, NC
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Pembroke, NC
Salem College
Winston-Salem, NC
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Winston Salem, NC
North Carolina Wesleyan University
Rocky Mount, NC
Barton College
Wilson, NC
Belmont Abbey College
Belmont, NC
Greensboro College
Greensboro, NC
Montreat College
Montreat, NC
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC
Carolina Christian College
Winston Salem, NC
Mars Hill University
Mars Hill, NC
Brevard College
Brevard, NC
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC
Carolina College of Biblical Studies
Fayetteville, NC
St. Andrews University
Laurinburg, NC
Johnson C Smith University
Charlotte, NC
Warren Wilson College
Swannanoa, NC
Carolina University
Winston-Salem, NC
Chowan University
Murfreesboro, NC
Mid-Atlantic Christian University
Elizabeth City, NC
Bennett College
Greensboro, NC
Saint Augustine's University
Raleigh, NC
Livingstone College
Salisbury, NC
Shaw University
Raleigh, NC
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release