2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in North Carolina
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 48 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general psychology schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #1 spot for value among general psychology schools in North Carolina. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Students borrow a median of $25,105 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,485. Set against $25,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Western Carolina University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $23,250. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $27,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Asheville earned it the #3 place for general psychology. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,055 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $24,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,055 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general psychology, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $30,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #6 among the best values for general psychology. 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, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,376. Soon after graduation, general 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. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #7 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $27,653. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #8 among the best values for general psychology. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,373 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $61,772 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Appalachian State University earned the #9 position for value in general psychology this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $21,444. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $27,484. Set against $21,444 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
East Carolina University placed #10 among the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $24,774. General Psychology graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $30,086 early in their careers. Set against $24,774 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University earned the #11 position for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $27,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
North Carolina Central University came in at #12 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,727 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $33,897. Set against $29,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabeth City State University placed #13 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,992 median debt. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Chowan University landed the #14 spot for general psychology value this year. Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Murfreesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,910. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $31,000. 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. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Wesleyan College came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the city of Rocky Mount, North Carolina Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,586. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $30,830 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $30,570. 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 earned the #16 position for value in general psychology this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $37,519. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Mount Olive College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Mount Olive College generally make around $45,131. That is a strong return on a $22,644 median debt. Mount Olive College admits about 76% of applicants.
Saint Augustines College placed #18 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Raleigh, Saint Augustines College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,896 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $36,921 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $23,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Meredith College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. 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. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $28,501. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Mars Hill College came in at #20 for value in general psychology this year. Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mars Hill. Students from in state pay about $37,736 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $43,031. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mars Hill College admits about 68% of applicants.
Wingate University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $26,988. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson C Smith University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $33,093 to complete the general psychology program here. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Johnson C Smith University generally make around $33,364. Set against $33,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Guilford College came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Guilford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $41,362. Students borrow a median of $29,460 to complete the general psychology program here. 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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Pfeiffer University earned the #24 position for value in general 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. 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. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Peace College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, Peace College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,176 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Peace College earn a median of $28,202 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Peace College admits about 94% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value General Psychology Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general psychology this year:
More General Psychology Rankings
View All General Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.
