10 Most Affordable Online Colleges in North Carolina 2020

The most affordable online colleges in North Carolina are all members of the state-sponsored education system.

Early in the colonial history of the area, North and South Carolina were a single entity. By 1712, the division in prosperity between the northern and southern sections of the Carolina colony spawned an amicable break that created the two provinces, and eventually, the two states that occupy the area today. Sandwiched between the two aristocratic cultures of South Carolina and Virginia, the colony’s resentment created a pioneering spirit. The authorities of North Carolina began aiding residents who wished to resettle to the west of the Appalachian range. With freedom on their minds, North Carolina was the first colony to instruct its representatives to authorize the Declaration of Independence. Though the state started as the weak sister among the original colonies, the citizenry developed a sense of purpose that contributed to the establishment of early state-sponsored educational institutions. Though these schools could not possibly offer education to everyone who deserved such advanced knowledge, the schools attempted to expand educational opportunities through the mail. When the potential for the presentations of online courses grew apparent, North Carolina was one of the first states to jump at the chance, offering free classes online to supplement the education of the general public. Those programs developed quickly to become full degree programs that students could take entirely online. The degree programs began at the associate’s level and promptly moved to bachelor and graduate degrees as well as certification programs. The state-sponsored schools offer quality degrees recognized across the country, at an affordable rate with nearly limitless attendance potential.

The colleges on this list present the ten most affordable online colleges and universities in North Carolina. The schools on this list are selected from the 37 colleges or universities in North Carolina that award bachelor’s degrees through online programs that are registered on the National Center of Educational Statistics website. Affordability is a huge consideration when choosing from online colleges in North Carolina, but it is important to look for these crucial qualities as well:

• Regional accreditation is vital for any school offering education in North Carolina. Accreditation demonstrates the credibility of the training a student receives. Unaccredited schools do not meet the standards demanded by employers for entry-level jobs in many professions
• Schools should provide a clear pathway for students toward graduation. A school that engages in the practice of changing curriculum requirements for the satisfaction of any degree while a student is already enrolled is not working in the interest of the student.
• The quality of a school’s faculty is crucial for any student involved in an online degree program. Online education consists of learning from a distance, and the personal touch is missing. Professors capable of bridging that distance are an essential component of a quality online degree program in North Carolina.
• The strategy that a school uses to aid students financially is of utmost importance. With student debt crippling many graduates, a college must provide students every opportunity to obtain funds that do not demand payback.

Ranking Low-Cost Online North Carolina Colleges

10. East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

Website

Tuition: $7,188

East Carolina University is a public research educational institution that operates six campuses:

• Main Campus
• Health Sciences Campus
• West Research Campus
• The Field Station for Coastal Studies
• The Millennial Research Innovation Campus
• An Overseas Campus in Certaldo Alto, Italy

The school opened its doors to its first class of 104 female and 11 male students who sought a two-year degree to teach elementary and secondary students in 1909. Typical of the North Carolina spirit, the students who pledged to work as teachers within the state for two years were provided the education for free. The campus sat on a 43-acre parcel in the center of Greenville, NC. Today the school has an enrollment of over 29,000 students and occupies over 1,600 acres of land. The education programs at East Carolina University evolved from its original purpose of producing teachers to become one of the largest schools in North Carolina, offering 104 bachelor programs, 76 masters-level programs, four first professional degrees, and a complement of 16 doctoral programs. Of the 104 bachelor degree programs, East Carolina University offers 24 of them entirely online. The university limits these undergraduate online programs to the final two years of undergraduate studies in areas of business, communication, education, industrial technology, hospitality, and healthcare.

East Carolina University includes 60 of its 76 masters-level programs online. These programs are designed to enhance the opportunities for those graduates who have entered the workforce but still wish to pursue an advanced degree to increase their credentials in their field of work. Those online masters-level degree programs provide extra expertise in the areas of art, business, education, English, healthcare, computer science, nursing, social work, public administration, hospitality, criminal justice, and public health.

For those with an undergraduate degree who wish to continue their education but do not have the time or means to complete a masters-level degree, the university offers 47 post-graduate certification programs. These certifications only require 12 to 18 credit hours of study to complete and serve as a stepping stone for those completing the programs into higher positions in their field of work. The certifications acknowledge the student’s newfound expertise in such areas as computer science, criminal justice, education, healthcare, business, hospitality, English, communication management, and social work.

The university is committed to including as much as possible in the post-graduate and post-doctoral programs that they offer online. The post-doctoral programs the East Carolina University presents entirely online are specific to the field of nursing. The two online programs are Post-Doctoral Certification in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and a Post-Doctoral Certification in Family Nurse Practitioner. The seven Post-Master’s Certifications that are also nursing program-specific, include:

• Post-Master’s Certificate in Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Nurse-Midwifery
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Leadership
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Psychiatric Health Nurse Practitioner

The university also presents three endorsement, licensure, and add-on certifications for educators who wish to specialize in specific fields. These three online programs are:

• Add-On Licensure in Teacher Education
• Add-On in Birth Through Education
• Endorsement in Computer Education

These online degrees and certifications demonstrate East Carolina University’s commitment to present education programs for the benefit of the society it serves.

9. University of North Carolina Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina

Website

Tuition: $7,091

University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) immediately began to evolve into a large school at its inception in 1947 when 238 students started taking classes. Within a year, the school began offering a diverse panorama of degrees and has not stopped adapting since then. Today the school hosts a student body of 19,500. The school offers 55 bachelor’s programs, 35 master’s degrees, and four doctoral degrees. The affordable online degrees are considered prime examples of what a school can do in the virtual environment. The bachelor’s degrees offered entirely online include:

• Bachelor of Science in Clinical Research
• Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminology
• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
• Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
• Bachelor of Arts in Middle Grades Education

UNCW concentrates most of its online presence on graduate-level degrees and certification, realizing that graduate-level students are often working while taking classes. Of its 35 masters-level programs, UNCW offers 27 programs that are entirely accredited online at a cheap rate. These graduate degrees include such fields of endeavor as business, chemistry, healthcare, education, computer science, and administration. All four of UNCW’s doctoral degrees are offered online, including:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership in Educational Administration
• Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership in Higher Education

The school extends online certifications to those with a bachelor’s degree who do not wish to pursue a master’s degree such as:

• Certification in Business Foundation
• Certification in Clinical Research Operations
• Certification in College Teaching and Learning
• Certification in Conflict Management and Resolution
• Certification in Forensic Science
• Certification in Liberal Studies
• Certification as an Instructional Technology Specialist
• Certificate in Multimedia Instructional Web Developer
• Certification in Online Teaching and Learning
• Certification in Science and Medical Writing

The school also offers continuing Add-on licensures in education for teachers like:

• Add-On Licensure for the Academically and Intellectually Gifted
• Add-On Licensure for Curriculum Studies for Equity in Education
• Add-On Licensure for Math
• Add-On Licensure for School Administration
• Add-On Licensure for Teaching English as a Second Language

8. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina

Website

Tuition: $6,853

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) is a public research university with a student body of over 29,000. The school is rated as one of the most affordable online colleges in North Carolina. UNCC opened its doors to students in 1946 to 278 students, mostly as a response to the education needs of returning service members from WWII. Beginning on a small campus inside Charlotte, the school has grown to include three campuses:

• The Charlotte Research Institute Campus
• The Center City Campus
• The main campus in University City

The educational opportunities at UNCC are nearly unlimited, with the school offering 140 bachelor’s degrees, 54 master’s degrees, and 23 doctoral degrees along with over a hundred different certification, endorsement, and add-on programs. The school jumped into the virtual environment to embrace online education to allow at-home students to obtain an affordable education. Of the 140 bachelor’s degrees, six are offered at an affordable rate online, including:

• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology: Electrical
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology: Fire Safety
• Bachelor of Science in Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Science
• Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
• RN to BSN Completion Program

For those who have received their undergraduate degree and are in the workforce and find an advantage in continuing their education without spending the time and money for a masters-level degree, UNCC offers 12 graduate certification programs, including:

• Certification in Education for the Academically and Intellectually Gifted
• Certification in Education for Anti-Racism in Urban Education
• Certification in Education for Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Certification in Education for Elementary School Mathematics
• Certification in Education for Instructional Systems Technology
• Certification in Education for Middle and Secondary Education
• Certification in Education for Special Education (K-12): Adapted Education
• Certification in Education for Special Education (K-12): General Curriculum
• Certification in Education for Teaching Foreign Language Education (K-12): French, German, Spanish
• Certification in Health and Human Resources for Nursing Administration
• Certification in Health and Human Resources for Nursing Education
• Certification in Liberal Arts and Sciences for Languages and Culture Studies: Translating

UNCC also provides access online to post-master’s certifications, including a Graduate Certification in Education for School Counseling and a Graduate Certification in Education for University and College Teaching. Through these programs that only take 12 to 18 credit hours of study, UNCC creates a cheaper way for students to elevate their status at work without taking on the added expense of a masters-level degree.

Of the 55 masters-level degrees offered at the school, 18 are offered entirely online at a much cheaper rate than attending traditional brick-and-mortar classes — these degrees are provided in the fields of education, engineering, and health and human sciences.

7. North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, North Carolina

Website

Tuition: $6,612

North Carolina A & T State University was created in 1890 as an all-black school as the result of legislation that required “separate but equal” education opportunities. The small student body eventually grew when desegregation ordered in 1952. Today the school enjoys a diverse student body with students from all races attending classes, many of which take their degrees online. The attraction for students to attend the school is the excellence of the faculty and the affordability. The university’s online presence allows students to seek online masters-level and bachelor’s degrees as well as certifications. The school offers three certification programs online that include:

• Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health
• Certificate in Family Financial Planning
• An Advanced Certificate in Family and Consumer Sciences

These degrees require a minimum of credit hours to complete, but those hours of study are intense. The online baccalaureate programs at the university are also intense as the school is developing a reputation for graduating knowledgeable and committed students. Their online Bachelor’s degrees include:

• Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education
• Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Economics
• Bachelor of Science in Electronics Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health & Safety
• Bachelor of Science in Geomatics
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (African-American Studies)
• Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (Applied Cultural Thought)

North Carolina A & T State University presents a solid online presence in its online graduate-level programs. The school offers two doctoral degrees entirely online—Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies and Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management. Their online masters-level program is second t none in affordability and quality of education. The masters-level programs include:

• Master of Science in Agricultural Education
• Master of Science in Business Administration
• Master of Science in Information Technology
• Master of Arts in Teaching-Biology Education
• Master of Arts in Teaching-Business Education
• Master of Arts in Teaching-Chemistry Education
• Master of Arts in Teaching-Elementary Education
• Master of Arts in Teaching-English Education
• Master of Arts in Teaching-Family and Consumer Sciences
• Master of Arts in Teaching-Technology Education
• Master of Science in Technology Management

6. North Carolina Central University

Durham, North Carolina

Website

Tuition: $6,464

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) began as a private religious school that opened in 1909. In 1923, the state of North Carolina purchased the school and converted it to a public university. Noted as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), the school has a student body of 90% black. The school offers undergraduate degrees as well as graduate degrees and certifications. In 2006, the university began presenting cheap online classes to students who were unable to attend traditional classrooms. The university offers six of its bachelor’s degrees entirely online including:

• Bachelor of Science in Behavioral and Social Sciences
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science Birth-Kindergarten Teacher Education
• Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The university excels in online graduate-level programs. Their affordable online master degree programs include:

• Master of Science in Career Counseling
• Master of Science in Educational Technology
• Master of Science in Information Science
• Master of Library Science
• Master of Arts in Teaching
• Master of School Administration
• Master of Science in Higher Education Administration
• Master of Science in Mathematics-Concentration in Data Science
• Master of Science in Mathematics
• Master of Science in Mathematics-Concentration in Computational and Engineering Mathematics
• Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
• Master of Science in School Counseling

The university recognizes that many students are unable to pursue a masters-level degree, so they offer certifications in concentrated areas that only take 12 to 18 credit hours to complete. Those graduate certifications are:

• Graduate Certificate in Health Informatics
• Graduate Certificate in Information Policy and Management
• Graduate E-Learning Instructor Certificate
• Graduate Faith-Based and Philanthropic Entrepreneurship for Non-Profit Certificate
• Post-Master’s Certificate in Digital Librarianship

5. Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Website

Tuition: $5,904

When Winston-Salem State University opened its doors as a private school to students in 1892, there were only 25 members in the all-black student body who studied in a one-room second-story area with a single instructor presenting all the curriculum. In 1923, the school became a member of the North Carolina public school system certified to educate elementary education teachers. Today, the university boasts a student body of over 5,200 students. The school offers over 40 bachelor’s programs, nine master’s degrees, two professional doctoral programs, and two certifications. When virtual education became available, Winston-Salem University jumped in with both feet, recognizing the value of affordable online education for those who did not have the opportunity to attend traditional classrooms. Of the 40 or more bachelor’s degrees offered at the university, four are offered online, including:

• Bachelor of Science-Clinical Laboratory Science
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Concentration in Integrative Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Birth to Kindergarten Education

Winston-Salem State University presents two masters-degrees online—Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling and Master of Science in Nursing Advanced Nursing Educator. Further online opportunities include a Post-Masters Advanced Nurse Educator Certificate and a Doctor in Physical Therapy degree.

4. Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Website

Tuition: $5,249

Fayetteville State University was born from the fires and destruction of the American Civil War. Its original mission was to educate the African American male populace surrounding the area of Fayetteville. Founded in 1865, the school took on the task with enthusiasm and continued to grow in esteem as a private black school until 1923 when the state of North Carolina purchased the school and made it a part of the North Carolina University System. Starting with a tiny student body, the school has grown to over 66,000 students. The university offers one of the cheapest online programs with immense value and is considered to have the most diverse student body in the state. The school offers 43 bachelor’s degrees and 23 master’s degrees along with a single Doctor in Educational Leadership degree. Of the 43 bachelor’s degrees, the school offers nine online as degree completion programs, including:

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration
• Bachelor of Science in General Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Intelligence Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN
• Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Sociology

To satisfy the needs of graduate-level students that have no choice but to pursue their degree online, the university offers two affordable masters-level degrees—Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Master of Business Administration.

3. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

Website

Tuition: $3,926

In 1889, the school that was to become Western Carolina University was opened through the efforts of the local citizenry concerned with the level of education presented at the time to the children and young adults in the area of Cullowhee, NC. In 1903, the state acquired the semi-private school and converted it to a public school to develop quality teachers to serve the area. The Board of Directors chose an ambitious path and presented an argument to the state legislature to make the school into a four-year college awarding associate and bachelor’s degrees. After observing the educational plans for the school, the legislature agreed, and the school was on its way to becoming the fifth largest university in the University of North Carolina System. When the Internet became available, enterprising educators from the area immediately realized the potential it presented. The school, as appears to be the habit of western North Carolina inhabitants, immediately ventured into the virtual realm to discover the imperfections that plagued the web. Over time, the university worked on the issues one-by-one and pioneered many of the improvements that make today’s affordable online degrees possible. The university offers seven of its bachelor’s degree programs online, including:

• Bachelor of Science in Birth-Kindergarten Education: Concentration in Early Childhood Development
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Law
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science in Emergency Medical Care
• Bachelor of Emergency and Disaster Management
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

The university also offers affordable master’s degrees online, including:

• Master of Construction Management
• Master of Entrepreneurship
• Master of Science in Human Resources
• Master of Arts in Elementary Education
• Master of Arts in Middle-Grade Education
• Master of Science in Nursing Leadership
• Master of Arts in Education (Special Education)
• Master of Arts in Teaching (Special Education)
• Master of Health Sciences
• Master of Sport Management
• Master of Science in Nursing (Nurse Educator)
• Master of Project Management
• Master of School Administration

2. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina

Website

Tuition: $3,418

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke has a unique history. The original school started as an educational necessity in the view of the Lumbee Nation. These Native American people sought to educate their people to survive amongst the white communities. For several decades, the school went through different permutations—some identified as an Indian school, others as community schools. From a humble beginning that saw 15 students and one teacher venture through the discoveries that education provides in 1887, to today with a student body of nearly 8,000, the school has survived attempts to destroy it with fire, reduce its finances t force closing, and an abject effort to close it through a vote of the citizenry. With the advent of online education, the school suddenly expanded its educational abilities to bring in distance learners to obtain a degree at a low price. On-campus, the school offers 41 bachelor’s and 17 master’s degrees along with several evolving add-ons, endorsements, and certifications. Of the 41 bachelor’s degrees, the university presents four entirely online, including:

• Bachelor of Arts Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
• Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

The school also offers a set of master’s degrees online including:

• An Accelerated Master of Business Administration
• Master of Arts in Education in Elementary Education
• Master of Public Administration
• Master of Arts in Teaching with Specialization in Special Education
• Master of Arts in Teaching with Specialization in Elementary Education

The school also offers an undergraduate add-on licensure program for Academically and Intellectually Education. Another online certification program is a post-graduate Certificate in Addiction Counseling.

1. Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Website

Tuition: $3,194

Elizabeth City State University was established in 1891 for the expressed purpose of developing a teaching community for the black population surrounding the area. In 1923, the university successfully evolved into a four-year school, accredited to award baccalaureate degrees. Not long afterward, the school ventured into the rarefied air of masters-level programs. Today, Elizabeth City State University boasts a student body of over 2,500 with 1,600 attending traditional classes and the rest seeking their degrees online. Of the 37 baccalaureate degrees, the university presents four online, including:

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security

Elizabeth City State University offers one masters-level program entirely online—Master of Arts in Education in Elementary Education. Though the smallest school in the North Carolina University System, the university keeps pace with the larger schools while providing the cheapest online degree in the state.

AS Staff

This concludes our list of the ten most affordable online colleges in North Carolina for 2020.

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