2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the psychology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Greensboro the best value for a degree in 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 psychology graduates is $25,105. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,485. Set against $25,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for psychology. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $53,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $21,055. Early-career psychology graduates make about $24,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #6 among the best values for psychology. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,376. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $28,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #7 among the best values for psychology. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Psychology graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $27,653 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,373. Psychology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $61,772 early in their careers. Set against $22,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Appalachian State University earned the #9 position for value in psychology this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,444 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $67,999. That is a strong return on a $21,444 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
East Carolina University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,774 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $55,796. Set against $24,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University earned the #11 position for value in psychology this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Students borrow a median of $27,375 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $25,637 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson College placed #12 among the best values for psychology. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $41,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $29,727. Psychology graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $33,897 early in their careers. Set against $29,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,536 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Chowan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,910. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $31,000. Psychology graduates of Chowan University earn a median of $30,076 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Chowan University admits about 69% of applicants.
Mount Olive College landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,366. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,644 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $45,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #17 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
North Carolina Wesleyan College came in at #18 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,586. Students borrow a median of $30,830 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from North Carolina Wesleyan College generally make around $30,570. Set against $30,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Augustines College landed the #19 spot for psychology value this year. Saint Augustines College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $16,896. Psychology graduates carry a median of $36,921 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Saint Augustines College earn a median of $23,500 early in their careers. Set against $36,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Augustines College admits about 34% of applicants.
Meredith College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,630. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,501. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Meredith College admits about 74% of applicants.
Mars Hill College placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Set in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,736. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Mars Hill College generally make around $43,031. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Wingate University placed #22 among the best values for psychology. Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wingate. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,576. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pfeiffer University came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,070 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,375. Early-career psychology graduates make about $54,891. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pfeiffer University admits about 96% of applicants.
Guilford College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, Guilford College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,362. Psychology graduates carry a median of $29,460 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Guilford College earn a median of $27,740 early in their careers. Set against $29,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Johnson C Smith University landed the #25 spot for psychology value this year. Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $21,300 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $33,093 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Johnson C Smith University generally make around $33,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johnson C Smith University admits about 45% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for psychology this year:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
