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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

18 Ranked Colleges
1,161 Degrees Awarded
$11,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor's in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 48,831 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 18th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across North Carolina, there were 1,351 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $49,713 and $20,190 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,161 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,192 and $24,368 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 18 colleges that offer a degree in economics. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent economics programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the economics program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Economics Schools

The economics school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 219 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

Duke also took the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $-7,808 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

The student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Duke University Economics Report

#2

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 409 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $4,026 for north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The low student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Economics at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#3

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Forest University landed the #3 spot on the list. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 139 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Wake Forest University also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $5,250 for north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at Wake Forest University

#4

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Appalachian State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Appalachian State University is a large school located in Boone, North Carolina that handed out 41 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Appalachian State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $7,169 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Appalachian State

#5

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Asheville landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, this small public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified bachelors’s economics students in 2019-2020.

UNCA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNCA is $8,063 for north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of North Carolina at Asheville Economics Report

#6

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 14 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Greensboro did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $8,853 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Economics at UNC Greensboro

#7

North Carolina A & T State University

Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NC A&T is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, NC A&T has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina A & T State University is $7,493 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full NC A&T Economics Report

#8

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. East Carolina University is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 98 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

ECU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend ECU is $11,026 for north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at ECU

#9

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
#9 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. UNCW is located in Wilmington, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

UNCW also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for UNCW is $12,229 for north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Carolina at Wilmington Economics Report

#10

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

UNC Charlotte also took the #5 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Charlotte is $11,991 for north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of North Carolina at Charlotte Economics Report

#11

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#17 in overall quality

Winston - Salem State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, WSSU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winston - Salem State University is $10,541 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Economics at Winston - Salem State University

#12

Salem College

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#12 in overall quality

Salem College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Salem is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 8 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Salem also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Salem College is $14,475 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Economics at Salem

#13

Catawba College

Salisbury, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Catawba College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Salisbury, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Catawba did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Catawba College is $16,210 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at Catawba College

#14

Meredith College

Raleigh, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

Meredith College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Meredith, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $18,882 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Meredith College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Economics at Meredith College

#15

Elon University

Elon, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

Elon University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Elon University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Elon, North Carolina. It awarded 23 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Elon has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Elon University is $24,593 for north carolina bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at Elon

#16

Campbell University

Buies Creek, North Carolina
#11 in overall quality

Campbell University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Buies Creek, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Campbell also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Campbell is $20,200 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Economics at Campbell University

#17

Guilford College

Greensboro, North Carolina

Guilford College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Guilford, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $19,885 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Guilford College.

Read more about Economics at Guilford

#18

Johnson C Smith University

Charlotte, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

Johnson C Smith University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

JCSU also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $18,421 for North Carolina Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Johnson C Smith University.

Read full report on Economics at JCSU

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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