Most Affordable Nursing Programs in North Carolina (2026)
15 nursing programs at North Carolina schools and campuses list tuition — the lowest is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's RN to BSN at $10,200 total. Online programs from 45 more out-of-state schools also enroll North Carolina residents, from $8,100.
Key takeaways for North Carolina tuition
- Tuition at North Carolina schools and campuses ranges from $10,200 to $140,000 total.
- Compare tuition against the school's board-reported NCLEX pass rate — the cheapest program is not always the best value.
Partner programs in North Carolina.
Directory totals below remain the source. These listings are sponsored.
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Compare tuition and financial aid for North Carolina nursing programs
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $10,200 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel HillMSN — Nursing AdministrationHybrid · 24 months | Hybrid | 24 mo | $21,600 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel HillMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $27,600 |
| ECPI UniversityADNOn Campus · 20 months | On Campus | 20 mo | $38,000 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel HillDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $41,400 |
| ECPI UniversityAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 15 months | On Campus | 15 mo | $52,000 |
| Arizona College of NursingAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 28 months | On Campus | 28 mo | $56,000 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel HillBSN (Traditional)On Campus · 48 months | On Campus | 48 mo | $60,000 |
| Duke UniversityMSN — Acute Care Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $72,000 |
| Duke UniversityMSN — Family Nurse PractitionerHybrid · 30 months | Hybrid | 30 mo | $72,000 |
| Duke UniversityAccelerated BSNOn Campus · 16 months | On Campus | 16 mo | $78,000 |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel HillPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $80,000 |
| Duke UniversityDNPHybrid · 36 months | Hybrid | 36 mo | $95,000 |
| Vanderbilt UniversityPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $120,000 |
| Duke UniversityPhD in NursingOn Campus · 60 months | On Campus | 60 mo | $140,000 |
Source: MyNursingSchools program directory totals as of 2026-08-21. Programs without published tuition are omitted. Net price after aid may differ — confirm with each school.
Cheapest online programs open to North Carolina residents
These schools are based outside North Carolina but enroll residents online. Clinical hours are still completed locally, and some programs charge out-of-state rates — confirm with the school.
| Program | Delivery | Length | Total tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Public University SystemRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $8,100 |
| Texas A&M UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,000 |
| Florida State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,000 |
| University of South FloridaRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $9,600 |
| University of Alabama at BirminghamRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,600 |
| American Public University SystemMSN — Nursing LeadershipOnline · 24 months | Online | 24 mo | $9,720 |
| Ohio State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 12 months | Online | 12 mo | $9,900 |
| Capella UniversityRN to BSN (FlexPath)Online · 18 months | Online | 18 mo | $10,400 |
| University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,500 |
| Arizona State UniversityRN to BSNOnline · 15 months | Online | 15 mo | $10,570 |
See all online nursing programs for North Carolina residents →
Getting the Best Value from Nursing School in North Carolina
Affordable is not the same as cheapest. The best-value program in North Carolina is the one with the lowest cost per outcome — weigh tuition against the NCLEX first-time pass rate and job placement, not sticker price alone. A public in-state BSN or a community-college ADN with a strong pass rate often beats a rock-bottom program that graduates fewer of its students.
Net price is what matters, so stack aid against the sticker. Pell Grants, North Carolina state nursing scholarships, and hospital tuition reimbursement (RN-to-BSN is frequently employer-funded) move the real cost far more than a small difference in listed tuition. File the FAFSA before you enroll to see your true out-of-pocket number.
Measure payback, not price. At North Carolina’s average RN wage a well-chosen program typically pays for itself within a few years — so a mid-priced degree that gets you licensed and hired quickly can be the better financial decision than the cheapest option on the page.
Career Outlook for North Carolina Nurses
Affordability is only half the equation — demand and earning ceiling determine how quickly a program pays for itself.
Above the 6% national average — strong hiring conditions for new graduates.
Per hour (BLS). Overtime and travel nursing contracts pay a significant premium above this base.
North Carolina requires career-long supervision for NPs. Graduates pursuing advanced practice should factor this into their career planning.
Job growth and hourly rate: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. NP practice authority: AANP 2024.
Already licensed? Next credentials for North Carolina nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in North Carolina often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving North Carolina include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. North Carolina is a restricted-practice state: state law requires nurse practitioners to practice under career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider for at least one element of practice, the most limited of the three AANP practice-environment tiers.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in North Carolina
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in North Carolina
North Carolina is a restricted-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in North Carolina
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in North Carolina.
Related Pages
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What are the cheapest nursing schools in North Carolina with financial aid?
Are affordable nursing programs in North Carolina as good as expensive ones?
How strong is the nursing job market in North Carolina?
What are the prerequisite requirements for nursing programs in North Carolina?
Compare nursing programs in North Carolina
- All nursing programs in North Carolina
- Online nursing programs in North CarolinaPrograms delivered primarily online for students who can't relocate.
- No-waitlist nursing schools in North CarolinaPrograms reporting open seats rather than a waitlist queue.
- Accelerated BSN programs in North CarolinaSecond-degree tracks for applicants who already hold a bachelor's.
- Fastest programs in North Carolina
- ADN programs in North CarolinaAssociate-degree and community-college routes to RN licensure.
- BSN programs in North CarolinaFour-year pre-licensure bachelor's degrees for first-time RNs.