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.

50

Number of Schools

In North Carolina, there are 50 4-year schools that offer psychology degrees

149

Number of Programs

With 50 schools offering psychology programs, the total number of programs offered in North Carolina is 149

5,701

Number of Graduates

The 149 psychology programs in North Carolina produced 5,701 psychology graduates in 2021

Psychology Degree Programs in North Carolina

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 GraduatesBSMAPMCPhD
Applied Psychology4
Clinical Psychology2
Community Psychology3011
Counseling and Applied Psychology45642025
Counseling Psychology9
Forensic Psychology2
General Psychology3,11613848
Industrial Organizational Psychology39
Marriage and Family Therapy44
Medical Psychology16
Mental Health Counseling117
Research Psychology114
School Psychology12209
Social Work9118234
Total Graduates4,2311,25040102
US Department of Education

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).

RegionNorth CarolinaU.S.
Applied8,2658,766
Admitted68%73%
Enrolled22%26%
1st Year Return72%71%
Graduation52%56%
US Department of Education

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:

RegionNorth CarolinaU.S.
Full-Time Instructional65%56%
Full-Time Research7%6%
Part-Time Instructional23%35%
Student Faculty Ratio13:115:1
US Department of Education

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 SchoolsNorth CarolinaU.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
US Department of Education

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.

FinancialNorth CarolinaU.S.
Cost to Attend$34,719$37,758
Average Financial Aid$18,018$13,984
Percent Receiving Aid92%90%
Net Price$19,190$17,524
US Department of Education

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 Income2020-20212021-2022
$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
US Department of Education

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.

RankSchool# of GraduatesNet PriceGraduation
#11University of North Carolina at Greensboro359$9,95058%
#12Western Carolina University227$13,08261%
#13University of North Carolina at Asheville89$13,83865%
#14Elon University86$40,36683%
#15North Carolina A & T State University242$9,14553%
#16Queens University of Charlotte26$29,81064%
#17Johnson C Smith University71$14,00039%
#18North Carolina Central University246$14,49651%
#19Wingate University53$19,01361%
#20Campbell University77$23,16356%
#21Methodist University21$18,20539%
#22Fayetteville State University230$6,71837%
#23University of North Carolina at Pembroke199$11,02243%
#24North Carolina Wesleyan College48$20,20840%
#25Warren Wilson College24$25,61139%
#26Gardner-Webb University95$20,29647%
#27Winston-Salem State University66$12,97646%
#28Mars Hill University33$18,71734%
#29Elizabeth City State University44$4,08540%
#30Guilford College24$25,78555%
#31Lenoir-Rhyne University51$21,73948%
#32Barton College39$22,99652%
#33High Point University59$40,60470%
#34Pfeiffer University32$19,19834%
#35Montreat College31$23,08329%
#36Chowan University25$17,07029%
#37Shaw University25$15,49816%
US Department of Education

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.