Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in North Carolina 2025

Students who are on a budget but want to pursue higher education can consider some of the cheapest online bachelor's degrees. North Carolina is a great place to earn your degree in online programs in diverse fields such as engineering, agriculture, healthcare, social work, criminal justice, and beyond.

Many of these universities, such as North Carolina State University (NCSU), offer affordable online bachelor's degrees programs, as well as degrees at the master's and doctoral levels, but this article will focus on the most cost-effective four-year degrees. If you're a student in North Carolina, keep reading to discover degrees from reputable, accredited, and budget-friendly institutions in the Tarheel State.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree Cost in North Carolina?

While the average online bachelor's degree in North Carolina could cost more than $20,000 per year, this is not always true if you research cheap online colleges that accept financial aid. If you approach your search for an affordable program this way, you'll find some of the public schools we mention below. These schools have accredited online programs, offering financial aid along with reasonable in-state and out-of-state tuition rates.

Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in North Carolina

Online learners should consider one of the following institutions granting online bachelor's degrees in North Carolina. This will give you a snapshot of the tuition costs, accreditation status, and financial aid options.

1. North Carolina State University

NCSU offers very affordable degrees in over 120 academic disciplines. The university prides itself on offering a first-class education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These prepare students in fields that are vital to the North Carolina economy, such as agricultural science and public sector leadership.

Average in-state tuition: $272.29 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $1,138 per credit hour

Financial aid: After completing the FAFSA, you can apply for federal and state loans and grants.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

2. East Carolina University

East Carolina University (ECU) offers various degree completion programs tailored to help transfer students from community colleges and other schools. It also specifies nine undergraduate programs utilizing online delivery, such as allied health and nursing, teacher education, business administration, and industrial technology. ECU is also a decent option for out-of-state students who would pay less than $100 more per credit hour for tuition costs.

Average in-state tuition: $386 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $463 per credit hour

Financial aid: ECU encourages full-time and part-time students to pursue institutional scholarships, grants, and loans.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University is one of the most affordable options on this list, especially for in-state college students. Its online program catalog contains 12 degree options, including an opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) within four years. The university also provides online instruction for other lucrative degree areas, like engineering, marketing, finance, criminal justice, and emergency medical care.

Average in-state tuition: $41.67 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $208.33 per credit hour

Financial aid: Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships, loans, and grants.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. University of North Carolina - Wilmington

The University of North - Wilmington (UNCW) offers various online degree options for bachelor's degrees, certificate programs, and graduate degrees. Check carefully before enrolling to see if the program's delivery is online, hybrid, or on-campus. UNCW promotes its online bachelor's options in the areas of business, communications, and healthcare and nursing.

UNCW is among the online colleges with scholarships and other award opportunities, making college much more affordable.

Average in-state tuition: $185.13 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $888.25 per credit hour

Financial aid: You must complete the FAFSA before applying for scholarships, loans, and work study.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. University of North Carolina - Greensboro

The University of North Carolina - Greensboro (UNCG) offers a few dozen bachelor's degree programs online. Its biggest online emphasis is in its business school, where distance learners can get degrees in business administration, accounting, information systems, or marketing. If you aspire to begin a healthcare career, UNCG also facilitates a BSN program and a degree in public health.

Average in-state tuition: $184.25 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $865.54 per credit hour

Financial aid: After completing the FAFSA, UNCG offers financial aid on its ''Spartan Central'' web portal

Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. University of North Carolina- Pembroke

The University of North Carolina - Pembroke (UNCP) has online offerings for several undergraduate degree programs at some of the cheapest rates in North Carolina (tied with Western Carolina). It has degree options in eight academic disciplines, like accounting, sociology, and nursing. Business students can get their bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration (MBA) online faster by applying for the accelerated program while attending UNCP.

Average in-state tuition: $41.67 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $208.33 per credit hour

Financial aid: You can lower costs even further by applying for endowed scholarships or participating in the university's savings plans.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. University of North Carolina - Charlotte

The University of North Carolina - Charlotte has 10 accredited online bachelor's degrees in fields such as political science, elementary education, respiratory therapy, fire and safety engineering and technology, and more. The university has received recognition from U.S. News & World Report for being the #1 in North Carolina for best online programs.

Average in-state tuition: $189.48 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $826.03 per credit hour

Financial aid: Complete the FAFSA before pursuing scholarships and student employment options.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has 18 online bachelor's programs, many of which are not available online at other colleges. The school grants degrees to online students who major in fields like kinesiology, information technology, middle grades education, nutrition and dietetics, psychology, and behavioral and social sciences. NCCU boasts that its top-ranked online degree opportunities are all about ''convenience, quality, and affordability.''

Average in-state tuition: $350 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $420 per credit hour

Financial aid: You can apply for Pell grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is one of the smaller schools on this list, but its distance education program offers three bachelor's degrees online. You can major in health and wellness promotion, homeland security, or interdisciplinary studies. ECSU has some of the most affordable tuition rates.

Average in-state tuition: $41.67 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $208.33 per credit hour

Financial aid: You must complete the FAFSA before applying for university-specific funding or grants

Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

Here's a brief overview of how Learn.org evaluates the schools on this list. This includes various factors, such as academic accreditation, program affordability, program reputation, and whether online education is available.

• Accreditation: We only consider accredited programs, such as ones reviewed by SACSCOC and other accrediting boards
• Affordability: This list focuses on affordable colleges with approximately $500 per credit hour for in-state tuition
• Program reputation and quality: Academic programs must have the respect of the academic community and other public institutions
• Online format: These schools must offer online courses in at least one academic specialization.

FAQs About the Cheapest Bachelor's Degrees in North Carolina

You may have other questions regarding program affordability for online learning. This next section addresses those concerns, as well as whether online college is worth it for North Carolina students.

What Is the Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree in North Carolina?

Our sources show that UNC Pembroke, ECSU, and Western Carolina University grant online degrees at the lowest costs in this state. Of course, tuition may vary depending on which degree program you select and how long it takes to finish it.

Fortunately, you can improve your chances of getting a degree cheaper by selecting from the many online colleges that accept the Pell Grant to support your education.

What Is the Cheapest Way To Get a Bachelor's Degree?

The cheapest way to get your bachelor's degree is to identify programs you can take online as quickly as possible (including accelerated learning programs). Then, you should focus on obtaining scholarships, grants, and other financial aid.

Many North Carolina schools are also online colleges with tuition payment plans. This means you won't have to handle every expense without help.

Is Online College Worth It?

Online college can be worth it for the right students. The cheapest online bachelor's degrees can be very useful for working students who would otherwise not have the chance to pursue higher education with their busy schedules. This also depends on whether it's financially feasible and if you apply the coursework you've completed at other institutions to receive credit for them.

That's why we recommend selecting an online college that accepts transfer credits. This will allow you to capitalize on your previous academic work when you enroll in a new online institution.

What Other Fees Should I Expect for an Online Bachelor's Degree?

Aside from tuition, you can expect to pay other fees such as technology fees, textbook costs, course materials and equipment, application fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. There are some online degree programs that allow you to avoid buying physical textbooks if you use their e-learning resources. You should also pursue scholarships that cover not only tuition but some of the other fees as well.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

You can learn all about online bachelor's degrees and other distance education opportunities by utilizing Learn.org. This is your chance to explore the most affordable undergraduate degrees, master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and more.