2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in North Carolina
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 42 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value psychology schools.
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2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, our #1 best value for psychology in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,105 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,485. That is a strong return on a $25,105 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Fayetteville State University one of the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Carolina University earned it the #3 place for psychology. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $53,753. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $27,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,055. Psychology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $24,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,376 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,209. That is a strong return on a $25,376 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #7 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, 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. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
East Carolina University earned the #8 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $55,455. Set against $24,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #9 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,373 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $61,772. Set against $22,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson College earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,430. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Appalachian State University landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,444 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $67,467. That is a strong return on a $21,444 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University landed the #12 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,375. Early-career psychology graduates make about $25,637. That is a strong return on a $27,375 median debt. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University came in at #13 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $29,727. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $33,897. That is a strong return on a $29,727 median debt. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University earned the #14 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,992. Psychology graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Chowan University earned the #15 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,910. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $31,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chowan University admits about 69% of applicants.
Gardner Webb University landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $29,145. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $34,491. That is a strong return on a $29,145 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
North Carolina Wesleyan College earned the #17 position for value in psychology this year. North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rocky Mount. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,586. Students borrow a median of $30,830 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Shaw University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Shaw University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $17,738 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $37,044 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,533. That is a strong return on a $37,044 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #19 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $37,519 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Mount Olive College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Students borrow a median of $22,644 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $45,131 early in their careers. Set against $22,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Olive College admits about 76% of applicants.
Pfeiffer University earned the #21 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,070. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Pfeiffer University generally make around $54,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Mars Hill College came in at #22 for value in psychology this year. Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mars Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $37,736. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Mars Hill College earn a median of $43,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Wingate University placed #23 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,576. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $26,988 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lenoir Rhyne University landed the #24 spot for psychology value this year. Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hickory. Students from in state pay about $31,900 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $49,985. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Warren Wilson College placed #25 among the best values for psychology. Set in the rural area of Swannanoa, Warren Wilson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,260. Warren Wilson College admits about 71% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
View All Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
