Raleigh, North Carolina Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina: median public in-state tuition $17,217 (+212.3% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $49,091 (-9.7% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 85.2% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $20,000 (+50.7% vs U.S.) 52,098 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 12 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 52,098 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $17,217 (+212.3% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $49,091 (-9.7% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 85.2% (-2.8 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $22,068 (+121.4% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $20,000 (+50.7% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $14,456
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 44.8%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 76.5%
Download the data
Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
Colleges and universities in Raleigh serve students across North Carolina with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 12 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 52,098 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $17,217. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Raleigh, North Carolina and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Raleigh vs North Carolina & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, North Carolina | $17,217 | $22,068 | $20,000 | 44.8% | 52,098 |
| North Carolina (state median) | $2,613 | $6,820 | $20,000 | 52.0% | 421,744 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Raleigh, North Carolina vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, North Carolina | $49,091 | 85.2% | 76.5% | 5.2% | — | 67.8% | 0.48 |
| North Carolina (state median) | $47,364 | 86.1% | 73.1% | 6.8% | — | 64.8% | 0.54 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in North Carolina (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, North Carolina | $17,217 | $22,068 | $20,000 | 44.8% | 52,098 | $49,091 | 85.2% |
| Charlotte | $18,882 | $21,964 | $18,000 | 61.3% | 44,804 | $57,481 | 84.7% |
| Greensboro | $18,484 | $16,932 | $25,804 | 46.0% | 31,003 | $46,566 | 85.7% |
| Wilmington | $5,012 | $20,109 | $9,500 | 70.6% | 24,818 | $54,967 | 85.0% |
| Wilmington | $5,012 | $20,109 | $9,500 | 70.6% | 24,818 | $54,967 | 85.0% |
| Chapel Hill | $8,994 | $16,196 | $10,166 | 91.2% | 20,950 | $72,200 | 86.6% |
| Greenville | $7,361 | $13,617 | $15,750 | 62.6% | 19,951 | $55,146 | 88.4% |
| Greenville | $7,361 | $13,617 | $15,750 | 62.6% | 19,951 | $55,146 | 88.4% |
| Greenville | $7,361 | $13,617 | $15,750 | 62.6% | 19,951 | $55,146 | 88.4% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Outcomes by sector in Raleigh, North Carolina
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 3 | $46,643 | 83.1% | 73.6% | 7.2% | — | 61.4% |
Top 4 colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
-
Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 84.8%, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 70.1%, Meredith College
Meredith College
-
Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 44.8%, William Peace University
William Peace University
-
Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 21.8%, Shaw University
Shaw University
Top 4 colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 88.2%, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 87.3%, Meredith College
Meredith College
-
Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 83.1%, William Peace University
William Peace University
-
Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 82.4%, Shaw University
Shaw University
Top 4 most selective colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
-
Rank 1, Admission Rate, 41.7%, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, Admission Rate, 74.2%, Meredith College
Meredith College
-
Rank 3, Admission Rate, 80.2%, Shaw University
Shaw University
-
Rank 4, Admission Rate, 94.2%, William Peace University
William Peace University
Top 4 colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
-
Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $85,809, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $50,635, Meredith College
Meredith College
-
Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $47,278, William Peace University
William Peace University
-
Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $34,652, Shaw University
Shaw University
Top 4 colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
-
Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $113,478, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $60,289, William Peace University
William Peace University
-
Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $60,099, Meredith College
Meredith College
-
Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $47,401, Shaw University
Shaw University
Top 4 colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $57,623, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $45,293, Meredith College
Meredith College
-
Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $39,738, William Peace University
William Peace University
-
Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $26,148, Shaw University
Shaw University
Top 4 colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $65,113, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $46,864, Meredith College
Meredith College
-
Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $41,665, William Peace University
William Peace University
-
Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $31,522, Shaw University
Shaw University
Top 4 colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $68,758, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $51,539, Meredith College
Meredith College
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $46,643, William Peace University
William Peace University
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $34,409, Shaw University
Shaw University
Top 4 colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
-
Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $233,282, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $126,536, Meredith College
Meredith College
-
Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $104,656, William Peace University
William Peace University
-
Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $71,320, Shaw University
Shaw University
Top 4 most affordable colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
-
Rank 1, Net Price, $17,303, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, Net Price, $16,512, Shaw University
Shaw University
-
Rank 3, Net Price, $21,649, William Peace University
William Peace University
-
Rank 4, Net Price, $22,488, Meredith College
Meredith College
Top 4 colleges in Raleigh, North Carolina by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
-
Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 94.5%, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
-
Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 79.4%, Meredith College
Meredith College
-
Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 73.6%, William Peace University
William Peace University
-
Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 51.6%, Shaw University
Shaw University
In-state tuition: Raleigh, North Carolina vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Raleigh, North Carolina median in-state tuition is $17,217, +212.3% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Raleigh, North Carolina vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Raleigh, North Carolina is $20,000 (+50.7% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $14,456.
Median earnings (10 years out): Raleigh, North Carolina vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Raleigh, North Carolina center around $49,091 (-9.7% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Raleigh, North Carolina vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 85.2% at the median Raleigh, North Carolina campus (-2.8 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Raleigh, North Carolina median public in-state tuition is $17,217, about +212.3% vs the national median. Versus the Southeast region, tuition is +244.9%.
Median graduate debt is $20,000 (+50.7% above the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Raleigh, North Carolina are $49,091, about -9.7% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 85.2% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (-2.8 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 76.5% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 5.2% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 67.8% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include North Carolina State University at Raleigh (88.2%), Meredith College (87.3%), William Peace University (83.1%), Shaw University (82.4%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Raleigh, North Carolina, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $46,643 (3 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Raleigh, North Carolina is 44.8% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Raleigh?
This city profile covers 12 campuses in Raleigh, North Carolina with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Raleigh?
Median in-state tuition in Raleigh is $17,217 and median net price is $22,068. For North Carolina overall, medians are $2,613 and $6,820; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Raleigh?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Raleigh is $49,091 vs $47,364 for North Carolina and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Raleigh colleges?
Median completer debt in Raleigh is $20,000 vs $20,000 for North Carolina and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Raleigh?
Top campuses on this page include North Carolina State University at Raleigh (graduation) and North Carolina State University at Raleigh (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Raleigh?
Among 12 campuses in Raleigh, North Carolina, 2 historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Saint Augustine's University and Shaw University; 3 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Presbyterian Church (USA) (1), Protestant Episcopal (1), Baptist (1).
Sources & related
- North Carolina college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON