2026 Best Value Physiology & Pathology Sciences Schools in North Carolina

[Physiology & Pathology Sciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/physiology-and-pathology-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for physiology & pathology sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Physiology & Pathology Sciences Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physiology & pathology sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physiology & Pathology Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for physiology & pathology sciences in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physiology & pathology sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physiology & pathology sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $51,799. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physiology & pathology sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Students borrow a median of $27,653 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $43,969. Set against $27,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Appalachian State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physiology & pathology sciences schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $42,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes North Carolina Central University one of the best values for physiology & pathology sciences. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physiology & pathology sciences degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $42,873. That is a strong return on a $31,173 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
East Carolina University landed the #6 spot for physiology & pathology sciences value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,717 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physiology & pathology sciences degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $27,494. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #7 for value in physiology & pathology sciences this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $31,836. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Gardner Webb University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physiology & pathology sciences schools. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. Students from in state pay about $34,750 in tuition and fees. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Montreat College earned the #9 position for value in physiology & pathology sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Montreat, Montreat College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,450. Physiology & Pathology Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,168 in student loans. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $29,234. That is a strong return on a $24,168 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Queens University Of Charlotte earned the #10 position for value in physiology & pathology sciences this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,846. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physiology & pathology sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physiology & pathology sciences degree recipients from Queens University Of Charlotte generally make around $59,654. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Wake Forest University placed #11 among the best values for physiology & pathology sciences. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Typical student debt for physiology & pathology sciences graduates is $21,577. Early-career physiology & pathology sciences graduates make about $67,369. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 22%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.