2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Greensboro the best value for a degree in general psychology in North Carolina. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,105. General Psychology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $28,485 early in their careers. Set against $25,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Carolina University earned it the #2 place for general psychology. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $27,505 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at University Of North Carolina At Asheville, which ranked #3. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. Students from in state pay about $7,501 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Students borrow a median of $21,055 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $24,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Fayetteville State University one of the best values for general psychology. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $31,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $30,359. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,376 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $28,209 early in their careers. Set against $25,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #7 for value in general psychology this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $27,653. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #8 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,373 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $61,772. That is a strong return on a $22,373 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University placed #9 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,444. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,484. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #10 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,774 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,086. Set against $24,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Winston Salem State University placed #11 among the best values for general psychology. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,375 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $25,637 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
North Carolina Central University landed the #12 spot for general psychology value this year. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $29,727. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $33,897. That is a strong return on a $29,727 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Elizabeth City State University came in at #13 for value in general psychology this year. Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Chowan University came in at #14 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $27,910. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Chowan University generally make around $30,076. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Chowan University admits about 69% of applicants.
North Carolina Wesleyan College came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rocky Mount. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,586. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $30,830 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of North Carolina Wesleyan College earn a median of $30,570 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina Wesleyan College admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #16 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $37,519 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Olive College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $27,366 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,644 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $45,131. That is a strong return on a $22,644 median debt. Mount Olive College admits about 76% of applicants.
Saint Augustines College came in at #18 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, Saint Augustines College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,896. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $36,921. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Saint Augustines College generally make around $23,500. That is a strong return on a $36,921 median debt. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Meredith College came in at #19 for value in general psychology this year. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $45,630 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Meredith College earn a median of $28,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mars Hill College placed #20 among the best values for general psychology. Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mars Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,736. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $43,031. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Wingate University earned the #21 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,576 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,988. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wingate University admits about 91% of applicants.
Johnson C Smith University placed #22 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Charlotte, Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,300. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $33,093 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Johnson C Smith University earn a median of $33,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,093 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Guilford College placed #23 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Greensboro, Guilford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,362 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $29,460. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Guilford College generally make around $27,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Guilford College admits about 80% of applicants.
Pfeiffer University placed #24 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,070. Students borrow a median of $26,375 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Pfeiffer University generally make around $54,891. That is a strong return on a $26,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Peace College landed the #25 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Peace College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,176. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Peace College generally make around $28,202. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Peace College admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value General Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general psychology education at a price that pays off.
