Are There Tuition-Free Online Colleges in North Carolina?

Updated on 9/25/2025

Many students want to earn a degree but are concerned about finding the time or money to do so. Affordable online colleges can be a great option, as they offer affordable tuition and flexible programs.

While there are no tuition-free online colleges in North Carolina, there are many low-cost schools and financial aid options available to in-state students. Keep reading to learn more about how to go to school for free in North Carolina.

Are There Free Online Colleges in North Carolina?

There are no inherently free online colleges in North Carolina. However, the state has some of the lowest tuition rates in the nation for residents at public universities. Coupled with financial aid, many students may be able to attend school for free.

Free and Low-Cost Tuition Programs in North Carolina

While North Carolina doesn't offer last-dollar tuition programs like some states, it does offer a few programs that significantly reduce costs or help students cover their expenses. Additionally, students can use federal aid and institutional scholarships to help reduce or eliminate their tuition costs.

Next NC Scholarship

The Next NC Scholarship is a financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians from households earning $80,000 or less pursue higher education. Students at four-year colleges receive a minimum of $5,000 per year, and those at community colleges receive at least $3,000 per year.

With the low tuition costs in North Carolina, this can completely cover tuition and can also be used for fees, books, food, and housing. To qualify, you must be a North Carolina resident in an undergraduate program who meets the income criteria and is taking at least six courses a semester.

There is no special application for this program; students only need to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

NC Promise

The NC Promise is a tuition plan that reduces tuition to just $500 per semester for in-state students. This plan is in place at four University of North Carolina (UNC) system schools:

• Elizabeth City State University
• Fayetteville State University
• University of North Carolina Pembroke
• Western Carolina University

There is nothing special that students need to do to get these rates; they're the automatic rate for North Carolina residents. Out-of-state rates vary by school.

Institution-Specific Scholarship Programs

Most schools within the UNC system, even those that have reduced costs via the NC Promise, offer additional funding options to help students cover their costs. Several even offer full-tuition scholarships to eligible students.

The amount you qualify for will depend on the school and the program. Check your school's financial aid website or speak to the financial aid office to learn more.

Federal Financial Aid

The federal government also provides financial aid to students through programs like:

• Pell Grants: A need-based grant that provides up to $7,395 per year to undergraduate students.
• Federal loans: Student loans that often have better terms and lower interest rates than private options.
• Work-study programs: Allow students to work for the school or a partnering organization to earn money toward their tuition.

To receive federal aid, you'll need to fill out the FAFSA. This will determine your eligibility for federal programs, and is often required for state and institutional aid programs as well.

Low-Cost Colleges and Universities in North Carolina

Many colleges and universities in North Carolina with online programs offer low-cost tuition as well as financial aid. Below, we've listed some of the most affordable options and dug into some of the aid programs they offer.

1. University of North Carolina at Pembroke

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) is a public institution in Pembroke, NC. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online in fields like:

• business administration
• criminal justice
• education
• nursing

UNCP is part of the NC Promise, meaning tuition for in-state residents is just $500 per semester. In addition, it offers hundreds of scholarships, such as the Esther G. Maynor Scholarship that covers unmet tuition, fees, and other expenses for honors students with financial need.

• Estimated tuition cost: $41.67 per credit (in-state); $208.33 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UNCP accepts FAFSA and the Next NC Scholarships, offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. Western Carolina University

At Western Carolina University (WCU), students can earn online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Areas of study include business, education, emergency management, and healthcare.

WCU, a public university, is located in Cullowhee, NC. It's part of the NC Promise and also offers aid, such as the Engage Scholarship, which provides up to $1,000 for first-year students, covering all tuition costs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $41.67 per credit (in-state); $208.33 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: WCU offers institutional aid and accepts the Next NC Scholarship. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation SACSCOC

3. Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) offers bachelor's and master's degrees online. ECSU is a public, historically Black university (HBCU) in Elizabeth City, NC.

Programs are available in fields like aviation science, education, health and wellness, and homeland security. In addition to low tuition through the NC Promise, students here can use the Next NC Scholarship or one of the many institutional aid programs ECSU offers.

• Estimated tuition cost: $41.67 per credit (in-state); $208.33 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: ECSU offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA, state aid, and private student aid.
• Accreditation SACSCOC

4. Fayetteville State University

Online bachelor's and master's degrees are available at Fayetteville State University (FSU). Areas of study include business administration, criminal justice, nursing, and social sciences.

FSU, located in Fayetteville, NC, is a public university. It offers low tuition through the NC Promise as well as various scholarship opportunities for students.

• Estimated tuition cost: $41.67 per credit (in-state); $104.17 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: FSU accepts FAFSA and state aid, like the Next NC Scholarship. It also offers institutional aid and accepts aid through private programs.
• Accreditation SACSCOC

5. North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina A&T State University (NCAT) is a public research HBCU in Greensboro, NC. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online in fields like:

• criminal justice
• education
• liberal studies
• technology

NCAT offers low tuition rates, as well as several scholarships to students. Some, like the National Alumni Scholarship and the Lewis and Elizabeth Dowdy Scholarship cover full tuition costs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $120 per credit (in-state); $588 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: NCAT accepts FAFSA and state aid, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation SACSCOC

6. Winston-Salem State University

Students at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) can earn online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Areas of study include business, education, and healthcare.

WSSU, a public HBCU, is located in Winston-Salem, NC. It accepts the Next NC Scholarship but also offers its own scholarship options, like the Chancellor Scholarships that cover full tuition.

• Estimated tuition cost: $141.71 per credit (in-state); $585.73 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: WSSU offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA, the state, and private organizations.
• Accreditation SACSCOC

7. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) offers numerous bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online. UNCG is a public research university in Greensboro, NC.

Online degrees are available in fields like business, information technology, healthcare, and liberal studies. Students at UNCG can use state aid or apply for institutional scholarships like the UNCG Guarantee, which covers up to full tuition costs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $184.25 per credit (in-state); $368.50 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UNCG offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA, state aid, and private aid.
• Accreditation SACSCOC

8. North Carolina Central University

Bachelor's and master's degrees are available online at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Areas of study include business administration, information technology, natural sciences, and social sciences.

NCCU, located in Durham, NC, is a public HBCU. It accepts the Next NC Scholarship and also offers options, such as the Cheatham-White Scholarship, a merit-based, fully-funded four-year scholarship.

• Estimated tuition cost: $185 per credit (in-state); $727.67 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: NCCU accepts FAFSA and state aid, as well as offering institutional aid and accepting private aid.
• Accreditation SACSCOC

9. University of North Carolina Wilmington

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is a public research institution in Wilmington, NC. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online in fields like:

• business
• criminal justice
• education
• healthcare

UNC Wilmington offers low tuition and accepts the Next NC Scholarship. It also offers several need-based grants and scholarships, as well as merit-based scholarships.

• Estimated tuition cost: $185.13 per credit (in-state); $941.55 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UNCW accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private and state aid.
• Accreditation SACSCOC

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill), students can earn graduate degrees online or earn bachelor's degrees through a mix of on-campus and online courses. UNC-Chapel Hill is the flagship institution in the UNC System.

While tuition here is higher than at any other UNC school, UNC-Chapel Hill also offers some of the best financial aid options for undergrads. For example, both the Tarheel Guarantee and the Carolina Covenant are last-dollar programs, meaning they cover whatever costs are left after federal and state aid are applied.

• Estimated tuition cost: $292.46 per credit (in-state); $1,798 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UNC-Chapel Hill offers institutional aid, including last-dollar aid programs. It also accepts aid through FAFSA, the state, and private sources.
• Accreditation SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the affordable North Carolina schools listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools on this list are regionally accredited.
• Affordability and financial aid: We focused on the lowest-cost schools and those with comprehensive financial aid options.
• Flexibility and online offerings: Every school either offers fully online bachelor's degrees or allows students to take some of their courses online.

FAQs About Tuition-Free Online Colleges in North Carolina

Low-cost online programs can help North Carolina residents reach their career goals. We've answered some frequently asked questions about these programs below.

Can You Go to College for Free in North Carolina?

It is possible to go to college for free in North Carolina. To do this, you'll choose a low-cost program, like one of the ones listed above. Then you'll fill out the FAFSA. Through a combination of federal, state, and institutional aid, you may be able to attend college for free.

Who Qualifies for Free College in North Carolina?

Different financial aid programs in North Carolina have different eligibility requirements. Programs such as the Next NC Scholarship and Tarheel Guarantee are need-based and are available to North Carolina residents with a total household income of $80,000 or less.

The NC Promise, on the other hand, doesn't really have qualification requirements. All in-state undergraduate students receive the rate of $500 per semester, or about $42 per credit hour.

Other programs, like the Chancellor Scholarships at WSSU or the Cheatham-White Scholarship at NCCU, are merit-based. They typically require students to meet minimum GPA requirements and may also require essays or interviews.

What Is the Cheapest College in North Carolina?

The cheapest four-year colleges in North Carolina are the four covered under the NC Promise. These are Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Western Carolina University.

All four offer in-state, undergraduate students a tuition rate of $500 per semester, which breaks down to $41.67 per credit hour.

Are There Any Free Colleges in the U.S.?

There are no completely free colleges in the U.S., though many states and schools offer last-dollar financial aid programs. The closest option to free is the University of the People, an accredited, nonprofit online school based in California.

The university does not charge tuition, but like all colleges, it charges some fees. Bachelor's degree students pay a fee of $160 per course, allowing students to earn their full degree for less than $6,500.

Because the University of the People does not charge tuition, students cannot use FAFSA here. However, the school itself offers aid and allows students to pay at the end of each course rather than up front.

Browse Affordable Online Degrees

Find the perfect affordable online degree by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to learn more about tuition and financial aid options.