Tuition and Fees FAQs
The UNC System Board of Governors recently approved some adjustments to tuition and fees for all system-affiliated institutions. The current plan will raise full time nonresident undergraduate tuition by an average of 1.2 percent for the 2021-22 academic year. Full time on campus graduate students from outside the state will also see an average 3.9 percent tuition increase. Tuition will remain the same for in-state students.
Starting in Fall 2021, most students will be billed per credit hour at the same tuition and fee rates. Distance education students will pay the same tuition rate as on-campus students, but will continue to be billed only the Education and Tech fee, the Association of Student Governments fee, the Campus Security fee and the College of Engineering Program fee (if applicable). In-state undergraduates in the fixed rate plan will not see any changes to tuition.
NC State is working through what these changes will mean for our students, and will share more information on impacts in the weeks ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is happening?
The UNC System Board of Governors recently approved some adjustments to tuition and fees for all system-affiliated institutions, including NC State.
Starting in Fall 2021, all students (except in-state undergraduates in the fixed rate plan) will be billed per credit hour at the same tuition and fee rates. Distance education students will pay the same tuition rate as on-campus students, but will continue to be billed only the Education and Tech fee, the Association of Student Governments fee, the Campus Security fee and the College of Engineering Program fee (if applicable). Note that credit hour charges will be capped at 12 for undergraduate students and 9 for graduate students.
When is this change happening?
These changes will take effect for the Fall 2021 semester. Students in the fixed tuition plan will see the change if/when their 8 semester (10 semester for 5 year program) cohort expires.
How is it affecting me?
DISTANCE EDUCATION STUDENTS: Graduate and undergraduate Distance Education Students will pay the same tuition rate as on-campus students, but will only pay the Education and Tech fee, the Association of Student Governments fee, the Campus Security fee and the College of Engineering Program fee (if applicable) unless they take an on-campus class.
GRADUATE STUDENTS: All graduate students will be billed at the same per credit hour rate with students in a Distance Education program paying only the Education and Tech fee, the Association of Student Governments fee, the Campus Security fee and the College of Engineering Program fee (if applicable) unless they take an on campus class. Students paying a premium tuition will continue to be charged the premium with the same new method as regular tuition.
UNDERGRADUATE NON-RESIDENT: All Undergraduate non-resident (out of state) students will be billed at the per credit hour rate with students in a Distance Education program paying only the Education and Tech fee, the Association of Student Governments fee, the Campus Security fee and the College of Engineering Program fee (if applicable) unless they take an on campus class.
UNDERGRADUATE RESIDENTS: Undergraduate residents (in state) will be billed the same rate as prior semesters until their 8 semester (10 semester for 5 year program) cohort expires.
NON-DEGREE STUDENTS (NDS): Non-degree students will be billed per credit hour paying the appropriate on campus rate for on campus classes and distance education rates for distance education classes.
I am an in state undergraduate in the fixed tuition cohort plan. Will my tuition and fee charges change?
No, if you are in the fixed tuition program, your charges will not change while you remain covered.
Why is this happening?
These changes were made to help improve transparency and consistency in tuition prices across the UNC System. This will also help make tuition more equitable for all students, whether they choose to learn on-campus or online.
Is this change related to lost revenue due to COVID, or any other budgetary reasons?
No, this charge is not related to revenue. In fact, we predict that once this is implemented, it will result in no revenue change for the university. The change is to make tuition and fees equitable for on campus and distance education students.
Are fees increasing for Fall 2021?
There is a 15.00 increase per semester for the Campus Security fee for all full time students (prorated per credit hour for less than full time hours).