Unlock Your Psychology Career Potential: Compare the Best Psychology Degree Programs in North Carolina for 2025
$19,190
Avg. Net Price
68%
Avg. Admitted
22%
Avg. Enrolled
52%
Avg. Graduation Rate
13/1
Avg. Student / Faculty
Psychology Degree Programs in North Carolina
Find and compare the best psychology degree programs by state.
Number of Schools
In North Carolina, there are 50 4-year schools that offer psychology degrees
Number of Programs
With 50 schools offering psychology programs, the total number of programs offered in North Carolina is 149
Number of Graduates
The 149 psychology programs in North Carolina produced 5,701 psychology graduates in 2021

North Carolina Psychology Degrees Programs
Top (10) Psychology Programs in North Carolina
Duke University
2021 Psychology Graduates: 159
Average Cost to Attend: $77,701
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $3,654
Average Net Price: $27,297
Average Admitted: 6%
Average Enrolled: 60%
Average Graduation Rate: 96%
Student / Faculty: 6 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 73%
North Carolina Ranking: #1
National Ranking: #10
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2021 Psychology Graduates: 155
Average Cost to Attend: $22,761
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $10,260
Average Net Price: $11,508
Average Admitted: 20%
Average Enrolled: 45%
Average Graduation Rate: 90%
Student / Faculty: 15 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 35%
North Carolina Ranking: #2
National Ranking: #26
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
2021 Psychology Graduates: 484
Average Cost to Attend: $22,390
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $16,369
Average Net Price: $14,328
Average Admitted: 47%
Average Enrolled: 32%
Average Graduation Rate: 85%
Student / Faculty: 15 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 65%
North Carolina Ranking: #3
National Ranking: #66
Davidson College
2021 Psychology Graduates: 44
Average Cost to Attend: $72,460
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $1,344
Average Net Price: $25,794
Average Admitted: 18%
Average Enrolled: 48%
Average Graduation Rate: 90%
Student / Faculty: 10 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 91%
North Carolina Ranking: #4
National Ranking: #39
Wake Forest University
2021 Psychology Graduates: 105
Average Cost to Attend: $78,824
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $2,151
Average Net Price: $24,643
Average Admitted: 25%
Average Enrolled: 37%
Average Graduation Rate: 90%
Student / Faculty: 10 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 76%
North Carolina Ranking: #5
National Ranking: #61
Appalachian State University
2021 Psychology Graduates: 540
Average Cost to Attend: $17,631
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $8,720
Average Net Price: $12,735
Average Admitted: 85%
Average Enrolled: 23%
Average Graduation Rate: 73%
Student / Faculty: 17 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 73%
North Carolina Ranking: #6
National Ranking: #229
Meredith College
2021 Psychology Graduates: 76
Average Cost to Attend: $55,914
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $1,476
Average Net Price: $21,717
Average Admitted: 70%
Average Enrolled: 29%
Average Graduation Rate: 68%
Student / Faculty: 10 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 54%
North Carolina Ranking: #7
National Ranking: #231
University of North Carolina Wilmington
2021 Psychology Graduates: 421
Average Cost to Attend: $23,060
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $7,448
Average Net Price: $18,792
Average Admitted: 68%
Average Enrolled: 23%
Average Graduation Rate: 72%
Student / Faculty: 16 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 68%
North Carolina Ranking: #8
National Ranking: #325
East Carolina University
2021 Psychology Graduates: 459
Average Cost to Attend: $20,370
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $13,950
Average Net Price: $14,762
Average Admitted: 94%
Average Enrolled: 20%
Average Graduation Rate: 66%
Student / Faculty: 18 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 66%
North Carolina Ranking: #9
National Ranking: #446
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
2021 Psychology Graduates: 581
Average Cost to Attend: $20,340
Average Amount Grant / Scholarship: $12,417
Average Net Price: $15,682
Average Admitted: 79%
Average Enrolled: 26%
Average Graduation Rate: 66%
Student / Faculty: 20 / 1
Full-Time Instructors: 67%
North Carolina Ranking: #10
National Ranking: #451
Psychology Programs Offered in North Carolina
There are 149 undergraduate psychology programs offered by 50 different 4-year colleges, comprising 15 public and 35 private schools.
Additionally, psychology programs in North Carolina produced 4,231 bachelor’s graduates, 1,250 master’s graduates and 102 doctorate graduates.
The table below details the programs offered and the total number of graduates in North Carolina.
Psychology Graduates | BS | MA | PMC | PhD |
Applied Psychology | 4 | – | – | – |
Clinical Psychology | – | 2 | – | – |
Community Psychology | 30 | 11 | – | – |
Counseling and Applied Psychology | 45 | 64 | 20 | 25 |
Counseling Psychology | 9 | – | – | – |
Forensic Psychology | 2 | – | – | – |
General Psychology | 3,116 | 138 | – | 48 |
Industrial Organizational Psychology | – | 39 | – | – |
Marriage and Family Therapy | – | 44 | – | – |
Medical Psychology | – | – | – | 16 |
Mental Health Counseling | – | 117 | – | – |
Research Psychology | 114 | – | – | – |
School Psychology | – | 12 | 20 | 9 |
Social Work | 911 | 823 | – | 4 |
Total Graduates | 4,231 | 1,250 | 40 | 102 |
Credits Accepted for North Carolina Schools
The types of academic credits available to North Carolina students are varied and include:
- Dual enrollment
- Credit for life experiences
- Advanced placement (AP) credits
Psychology Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation in North Carolina
On average, North Carolina schools admitted 68% of students who applied to 4-year institutions. Of those who were offered admission, 22% enrolled.
The average freshman retention rate for North Carolina schools is 72%, compared to 71% for all universities nationwide.
The overall graduation rate for 4-year colleges and universities in North Carolina is 52%, compared to 56% for all universities nationwide.
The top three schools in North Carolina for highest graduation rate are Duke University (96%), Davidson College (90%), and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (90%).
The top three schools with the highest number of psychology graduates in North Carolina are University of North Carolina at Charlotte (581), Appalachian State University (540), and North Carolina State University at Raleigh (484).
Region | North Carolina | U.S. |
Applied | 8,265 | 8,766 |
Admitted | 68% | 73% |
Enrolled | 22% | 26% |
1st Year Return | 72% | 71% |
Graduation | 52% | 56% |
Student & Faculty Information in North Carolina
In the fall of 2021, North Carolina schools that offered psychology programs had an average of 76% full-time instructional or research faculty members and 23% part-time instructional faculty members.
The average student-to-faculty ratio for North Carolina schools offering psychology programs is 13:1.
The table below shows a comparison of the percentage of full-time instructional and research faculty members and the student-to-faculty ratio between North Carolina and the United States as a whole:
Region | North Carolina | U.S. |
Full-Time Instructional | 65% | 56% |
Full-Time Research | 7% | 6% |
Part-Time Instructional | 23% | 35% |
Student Faculty Ratio | 13:1 | 15:1 |
Tuition and Student Expenses in North Carolina
If you’re an undergraduate psychology student in North Carolina, the average tuition you’ll pay depends on the institution you choose. Typically, tuition costs range from $1,000 to $58,708 per year, with an average of $19,082. In addition to tuition, you’ll also need to budget for books and supplies, which can cost between $300 and $3,300 annually, with an average of $1,188.
The three most affordable undergraduate psychology schools in North Carolina are Elizabeth City State University ($12,099), University of North Carolina at Pembroke ($14,420), and Fayetteville State University ($15,229). Meanwhile, the three most expensive institutions are the Wake Forest University ($78,824), Duke University ($77,701), and Campbell University ($56,220).
As for prospective graduate psychology students, the average cost of tuition and fees for graduate programs varies widely based on the school and program chosen. Graduate tuition costs between $3,375 and $57,900 per year, with an average of $12,715. However, most graduate programs also require additional fees, such as application fees, technology fees, and library fees, which can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In-state graduate fees typically range from $50 to $3,376, with an average of $1,796.
The three most affordable graduate psychology schools in North Carolina are Elizabeth City State University ($5,701), Fayetteville State University ($5,835), and Winston-Salem State University ($6,718). Meanwhile, the three most expensive graduate programs are Duke University ($59,141), Methodist University ($41,428), and Wake Forest University ($39,240).
If you’re curious about how North Carolina schools stack up against national averages, you can compare average total expenses in the table below. Note that these figures don’t take into account financial aid, grants, loans, or scholarships. If you’re interested in that information, you can find it in the sections below.
Average Expenses for Psychology Schools | North Carolina | U.S. |
On Campus Room & Board | $11,341 | $11,729 |
On-Campus Living Expenses | $3,108 | $3,474 |
Total Living Expenses | $14,449 | $15,203 |
Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $19,082 | $21,301 |
Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,188 | $1,254 |
Total Undergraduate Expenses | $34,719 | $37,758 |
In-State, Graduate Tuition | $12,715 | $14,479 |
In-State, Graduate Fees | $1,796 | $1,155 |
Total Graduate Expenses | $14,511 | $15,634 |
Cost to Attend, Financial Aid, Net Price in North Carolina
Average Net Price
In North Carolina, the cost to attend a college or university that offers psychology programs is a significant financial investment. The key term to know for college affordability is the net price.
The average net price for a college or university in North Carolina that offers psychology programs is $19,190. This figure is calculated based on the most recent data provided by each institution to the US Department of Education.
Net price is determined by adding up the costs of tuition, room and board, living expenses, books, and supplies and then subtracting the average financial aid, such as grants, scholarships, and loans, received by federal financial aid recipients.
Financial | North Carolina | U.S. |
Cost to Attend | $34,719 | $37,758 |
Average Financial Aid | $18,018 | $13,984 |
Percent Receiving Aid | 92% | 90% |
Net Price | $19,190 | $17,524 |
Net Price by Family Income
Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend North Carolina universities shown by family income bracket.
Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Average Net Price by Income | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
$0 – $30,000 | $8,396 | $8,502 |
$30,001 – $48,000 | $10,010 | $10,093 |
$48,001 – $75,000 | $13,741 | $14,022 |
$75,001 – $110,000 | $17,752 | $17,522 |
$110,001 and more | $19,167 | $19,365 |
Additional Top Ranked Psychology Degree Programs in North Carolina
Find information on each school’s ranking, number of graduates, net price, and graduation rate along with a link the school’s full 2025 report.
Psychology Salary Reports for North Carolina
We use annual surveys of 100,000 psychologists to compile data on salary, employment projections, cost-of-living adjustments, comparisons to related professions, salary based on years of experience, and rankings by city.
- Industrial Organizational Psychologists
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Psychology Teachers
- Forensic Psychologists
- School Psychologists
- Health Care Social Workers
- Social Workers
- Substance Abuse Counselors
- Marriage and Family Therapists
in addition to school websites, our Career, Salary and Program Source Data Comes from