Why Choose a Public College or University in North Carolina?
North Carolina has the best of both worlds for outdoorsy folks: mountains and beaches. Coupled with its agreeable weather, this makes North Carolina a favorable place to live. North Carolina also offers a booming economy with major cities as well as a relatively low cost of living.
North Carolina has a competitive university system that includesover 70 public Public colleges and universities. Carolina provides many options for you tochoose the best college for you. Although North Carolina is well known for the private Duke University, there are many top-ranking public institutions as well.
When considering pursuing a degree at aprivate or a public college, you should factor in the pros and cons of each type of college. Public colleges and universities are typically larger, state-funded schools. Private colleges and universities are either for-profit or nonprofit educational institutions.
Pros and Cons of Attending a Public College or University in North Carolina
Pros
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Class options: Because public institutions tend to be larger, there are more majors and programs to choose from. They also have more course offerings than private institutions.
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Location: North Carolina has mountains, oceans, large cities, and small towns. The state experiences mostly mild temperatures and has an overall low cost of living.
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Sports: Many North Carolina schools have top-performing sports teams. Whether you play sports or simply enjoy watching basketball games, North Carolina has many competitive teams to follow.
Cons
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Larger class sizes: Public colleges and universities have a larger student population than private institutions, leading to larger class sizes.
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Professor availability: Because public colleges and universities have more students and larger class sizes than private colleges, you may have difficulty connecting with your professors.
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Hurricanes: Although the weather is mostly mild and temperate, North Carolina does experience hurricanes. Hurricanes can disrupt your school year, create damage, and can even be deadly.
Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Colleges and Universities in North Carolina
When researching colleges and universities in North Carolina, you should know whether the college or university is anonprofit or for-profit college. All public colleges and universities are nonprofit colleges. Private institutions can be either nonprofit or for-profit. There are pros and cons to attending a for-profit college.
For-profit colleges and universities are private schools whose bottom line is to turn a profit. For-profit schools are funded by student tuition, which typically results in a higher tuition cost for students. On the other hand, nonprofit colleges receive funding from state governments, donations, and tuition.
Investors and shareholders make decisions at for-profit colleges and universities, whereas private or public nonprofit colleges are governed by a board of trustees and are focused on the quality of education.
Many graduates of for-profit schools struggle to find work in their fields upon graduating, and many lawsuits against for-profit colleges and universities have sprung up over the years for predatory practices.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend a Public College or University in North Carolina?
North Carolina is well-known for having affordable public postsecondary education. The average cost of tuition for public colleges and universities in North Carolina is lower than the national average cost of tuition for public institutions.
For the 2019-20 academic year, the average cost of tuition and fees for public institutions in North Carolina was $7,230 for in-state residents, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The national average cost for tuition and fees that same year was $9,350.
In-state residents and out-of-state residents pay different tuition and fee costs. However, out-of-state tuition in North Carolina is still lower than the national average for out-of-state tuition and fees. According to the NCES, the average cost of tuition and fees for North Carolina colleges and universities was $23,360 for out-of-state residents, whereas the national average cost was $27,020.
There are many misconceptions about paying for college. For instance, tuition and fees are not the only cost of attending a college or university. You should also consider the cost of room and board. The average cost of room and board for public colleges and universities in North Carolina was $10,340 during the 2019-20 academic year.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Public Colleges and Universities in North Carolina
How many public colleges and universities are there in North Carolina?
North Carolina has over 70 public colleges and universities. According to the NCES, as of 2019-20 North Carolina had 75 public colleges and universities and 60 private institutions. Of the 60 private schools, 50 were nonprofit colleges.
Public colleges and universities with the highest enrollment include the University of North Carolina’s multiple campuses, North Carolina State University, and East Carolina University.
What is the most expensive public college or university in North Carolina?
The most expensive public college or university in North Carolina is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The average cost of tuition and fees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for the 2021-22 academic year was $9,040 for in-state residents and $36,900 for out-of-state residents.
Because of expensive tuition, cost may be a huge factor in determining where you attend college. Many aspects contribute to the high cost of colleges. Although colleges and universities in North Carolina are cheaper than the national average, the colleges vary in cost.
What is the least expensive public college or university in North Carolina?
There are several public colleges and universities in North Carolina with exceptionally inexpensive tuition and fees. Elizabeth City State University is one of the least expensive public institutions in North Carolina.
Elizabeth City State University is very affordable, with a flat-rate yearly tuition of $1,000 for full-time in-state residents and $5,000 for full-time out-of-state residents. Including tuition and fees, the in-state tuition for the 2020-21 academic year was $6,600, and out-of-state tuition was $10,600.
What is the biggest public college or university in North Carolina?
There are several large public colleges and universities in North Carolina. The biggest public institution in North Carolina in terms of student population is North Carolina State University. In the 2021-22 academic year, North Carolina State University had over 36,000 enrolled students.
The University of North Carolina has the largest university system in North Carolina. The university has 17 institutions and affiliate schools within the state. Several of these colleges, like the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, have some of the largest student populations.
Is a public college or university right for me?
Whether or not to choose to study at a public college or university is a personal decision. Create a list of what is most important for your college experience. When deciding, consider how important factors like majors and programs, location, and cost are for you.
You should also think about the size of the college. You may also want to consider a school’s alumni network, internship opportunities, student clubs and activities, and student support services while deciding.
