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HomeNews UpdateMoney’s top NC colleges include Davidson, Duke and NC State

Money’s top NC colleges include Davidson, Duke and NC State

June 26, 2024
Money’s top NC colleges include Davidson, Duke and NC State

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Choosing the right college is a task that needs to be carefully considered by both parents and students. Academic programs, costs, location and opportunities are some factors that come to mind before even filling out an application.

Finding a college worth the price can be especially difficult when colleges don’t disclose tuition up front, leaving families in the dark. According to Money, the prices advertised by colleges can be lowered through scholarships and grants. Private institutions in particular are known to do this.

In its Best Colleges 2024 roundup, Money analyzed 745 colleges in the country. 26 North Carolina colleges were named based on graduate salaries, tuition, financial aid, graduation rates, among other factors. The roundup isn’t meant to “narrow down” the best colleges, but it can be helpful in determining schools where students are more likely to get a well-paying job with manageable student debt.

Here are the colleges that were mentioned in NC and why.

The Best Colleges in North Carolina in 2024, According to Money

5 Stars

  • Davidson CollegeDavidson: Acceptance rate: 17%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $78,900. Estimated price with average scholarship: $28,200. Graduation rate: 93%
  • Duke UniversityDurham: Acceptance rate: 6%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $86,000. Estimated price with average grant: $25,000. Graduation rate: 95%

4.5 stars

  • NC State UniversityRaleigh: Acceptance rate: 47%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $26,800. Estimated price with average scholarship: $15,700. Graduation rate: 82%
  • UNC School of the ArtsWinston-Salem: Acceptance rate: 32%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $27,300. Estimated price with average grant: $11,900. Graduation rate: 73%
  • UNC Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill: Acceptance rate: 17%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $26,200. Estimated price with average grant: $11,200. Completion rate: 90%
  • Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem: Acceptance rate: 21%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $91,000. Estimated price with average grant: $27,700. Graduation rate: 89%

3.5 stars

  • Appalachian State UniversityBoone: Acceptance rate: 83%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $23,600. Estimated price with average scholarship: $13,800. Graduation rate: 73%
  • Elizabeth City State UniversityElizabeth City: Acceptance rate: 74%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $22,600. Estimated price with average scholarship: $7,500. Graduation rate: 43%
  • Elon UniversityElon: Acceptance rate: 74%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $62,000. Estimated price with average grant: $43,900. Completion rate: 83%
  • UNC-CharlotteCharlotte: Acceptance rate: 80%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $24,600. Estimated price with average scholarship: $14,700. Graduation rate: 65%
  • University of GreensboroGreensboro: Acceptance rate: 92%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $21,400. Estimated price with average scholarship: $11,600. Graduation rate: 59%
  • Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee: Acceptance rate: 85%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $21,100. Estimated price with average grant: $13,800. Graduation rate: 65%

3 stars

  • East Carolina UniversityGreenville: Acceptance rate: 92%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $24,800. Estimated price with average scholarship: $15,200. Graduation rate: 67%
  • Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville: Acceptance rate: 81%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $17,900. Estimated price with average grant: $7,400. Graduation rate: 49%
  • Lees McRae CollegeBanner Elk: Acceptance rate: 61%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $48,000. Estimated price with average grant: $25,500. Completion rate: 62%
  • Meredith CollegeRaleigh: Acceptance rate: 73%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $60,100. Estimated price with average grant: $24,600. Graduation rate: 66%
  • NC A&T State UniversityGreensboro: Acceptance rate: 56%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $20,100. Estimated price with average scholarship: $9,700. Graduation rate: 53%
  • NC Central UniversityDurham: Acceptance rate: 84%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $27,000. Estimated price with average grant: $14,500. Graduation rate: 55%
  • NC Wesleyan CollegeRocky Mount: Acceptance rate: 68%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $51,100. Estimated price with average grant: $19,800. Graduation rate: 57%
  • University of Mount OliveMount Olive: Acceptance rate: 75%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $38,400. Estimated price with average grant: $18,900. Graduation rate: 44%
  • UNC AshevilleAsheville: Acceptance rate: 74%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $22,500. Estimated price with average scholarship: $15,600. Graduation rate: 63%
  • UNC WilmingtonWilmington: Acceptance rate: 69%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $27,500. Estimated price with average scholarship: $19,800. Graduation rate: 73%
  • Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem: Acceptance rate: 73%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $23,300. Estimated price with average grant: $14,900. Graduation rate: 53%

2.5 stars

  • Barton CollegeWilson: Acceptance rate: 95%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $50,800. Estimated price with average grant: $24,800. Graduation rate: 55%
  • Johnson C. Smith UniversityCharlotte: Acceptance rate: 25%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $35,600. Estimated price with average grant: $21,200. Graduation rate: 42%

2 stars

  • High Point UniversityPeak: Acceptance rate: 79%. Estimated full price 2024-25: $64,700. Estimated price with average grant: $42,500. Completion rate: 68%

Is college worth it?

Is the American dream unattainable? According to a survey by the Wall Street Journal and NORC, only half of Americans believe that a college degree is worth it. A survey by Pew Research confirms this view. It shows that only 29% of Americans believe that college is worth it if you have to take out student loans. 47% believe that college is still worth it, but only if you don’t need loans.

The reason for the shift in attitudes toward college is the increasing opportunities to live well without a bachelor’s degree, as well as the rising cost of living. According to Money, the median wealth of households with high school graduates rose from $12,700 in 2013 to $30,700 in 2022. In comparison, the net worth increase for households with college degrees ranged from $46,600 to $120,200.

The number of prospective students is also declining because of changes in tuition costs since 2001, the College Board found. After adjusting for inflation, tuition and fees at public four-year colleges rose 81%. In comparison, fees at private colleges rose 46%.

Todd Runkle of Carolinas Connect contributed.

Nina Tran covers current affairs for The Greenville News. You can reach her by email at [email protected].

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