Top 5 Affordable Online Accounting Degree Programs in North Carolina (2025)

Knowing how to manage finances is a big part of any successful business plan, but not everyone has the knowledge to do so.

Because finance is such a broad field, many people opt to learn niche skills related to taxes, the stock market, and more.

One way to get as much information as possible about finance is to learn about accounting.

So check out North Carolina's affordable online accounting degrees below to learn how to jumpstart your finance career without breaking the bank today.

Featured Affordable Accounting Degrees Online

These five North Carolina affordable online accounting degrees are provided by some of the most cost-effective universities in the state.

1. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNC Pembroke) is a public university that's part of the University of North Carolina system and has a history with the Lumbee nation.

UNC Pembroke's Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in accounting is an online program designed to help students break into public, corporate, or government accounting positions after graduation.

Tuition for in-state online students at UNC Pembroke is $108 per credit hour.

2. Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University (FSU) is a public historically black college that's part of the University of North Carolina system and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

Through FSU's online degree completion program, students can complete all the accounting courses required for their degree online while learning about management, mathematics, and more for use in the finance field.

FSU charges $165 per credit hour in tuition for North Carolina residents attending classes online.

3. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNC Greensboro) is a public research university that's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

UNC Greensboro's online B.S. in accounting program includes simulations that provide real-world accounting practice and the required knowledge to take the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam.

Online students can expect to spend $184 per credit hour on tuition at UNC Greensboro if they live in the state.

4. East Carolina University

Originally founded as a teaching school, East Carolina University (ECU) is now a public research university in Greenville, North Carolina.

The online undergraduate accounting program offered by ECU teaches students these vital skills for finance jobs and general employment:

• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Data management
• Professional judgment

Tuition for online students at ECU is $204 per credit hour for residents of North Carolina.

5. Campbell University

Campbell University is a private Christian university in North Carolina primarily focusing on liberal arts education.

The 124 credit hour accounting program offered by Campbell University can be completed online in eight-week terms and is designed to teach students how to understand and communicate financial data to business leadership and stakeholders.

Campbell University charges $450 per credit hour in tuition for in-state online students, but eligible military members can attend for only $250 per credit hour.

Other Universities with Affordable Online Accounting Degrees Serving North Carolina

If you'd like more options for affordable online accounting degrees, check out the national online colleges that serve residents of North Carolina at low prices below.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private university that primarily offers online programs to students nationwide.

With either a B.S. in accounting or a B.S. in accounting and finance from SNHU, students can prepare for their CPA exam and learn the skills they need to be successful in both accounting and general finance careers after graduation.

All online undergraduate students at SNHU are charged $330 per credit hour in tuition.

Eastern New Mexico University

Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) is the largest public university in New Mexico and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Students can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in accounting online at ENMU. They'll learn how to use creative problem-solving skills in their future accounting career during this program.

Out-of-state online students have a tuition rate of $380 per credit hour at ENMU.

Liberty University

Liberty University is a private online Christian university in Virginia that's affiliated with the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia.

The accounting degree offered by Liberty University is designed to combine finance concepts with data analysis so graduates can put their skills to use in analyzing and developing finance plans for big corporations as influential accountants.

Part-time students at Liberty University spend $455 per credit hour, but full-time students are only charged $390.

Franklin University

Franklin University is a private university in Ohio that offers online programs to serve the needs of non-traditional working adult students.

At Franklin University, students can earn a bachelor's degree in accounting online while learning about the ethics, management, analysis, and reporting skills required to be a successful accountant in a modern business.

All programs except for nursing are charged a standard rate of $398 per credit hour in tuition at Franklin University, but eligible military members can participate in programs for only $250.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private online university in Utah that uses a competency-based learning model to help working professionals earn higher education degrees online.

Students attending the online accounting program offered by WGU will learn accounting, business management, and even IT fundamentals through the 41 courses offered during the program. It takes most students 42 months to earn their degree.

WGU charges tuition in six-month terms, so the average annual cost for a degree program from this university is roughly $8,000.

Financial Aid Options for Online Accounting Programs

Here are some of the best student financial aid options for North Carolina's affordable online accounting degrees:

• Grants: Financial need-based monetary rewards, usually from the federal or state government, that do not have to be paid back and are based on your FAFSA-reported income.
• Scholarships: Merit-based monetary awards that students don't have to pay back, available based on grades, special talents, first-time college attendance, and more.
• Loans: Federal, state, or private monetary loans that need to be paid back, but usually have lower interest rates or delayed payback schedules for students.
• Work-study programs: University-assigned jobs that help you get experience in your field and pay for college expenses at the same time.

You can access all of these through the FAFSA, which you can also fill out online.

Tips for Making an Online Accounting Degree Affordable

Some of the best ways to make an online accounting degree more affordable include:

• Attending classes at a community college and using prior credits: Whether you have AP credit from high school or completed your first year of education at a community college, having credits to transfer can save you a lot of money at universities.
• Apply for financial aid as soon as possible: The sooner you get your request for aid through the FAFSA, the more forms of aid with limited availability you can qualify for.
• Shoot for an in-state college: Universities tend to charge less tuition for students in their home state than those outside of it.
• Spend less on textbooks, housing, and dining by going digital: Living and eating at home while taking classes online saves you a lot of money compared to living on campus, and you can rent textbooks for the duration of your course or buy a cheaper digital copy online.

Is an Online Accounting Degree Worth the Cost?

An online accounting degree is worth the cost for the benefits it has alone.

From a more flexible class schedule to the opportunity to hone your communication skills through digital written communication, online accounting degrees provide unique benefits and opportunities that are well worth what you pay for higher education.

In addition, online education is often more affordable than on-campus education, even at the same university. By getting your degree online, you're saving money.

Start Your Accounting Degree Online Today

Now that you know about the best North Carolina affordable online accounting degrees, how to make your degree more affordable, and what makes an online accounting degree worth it, it's time to choose the accounting degree that suits your needs today so you can start your finance career.