North Carolina Universities Receive National Recognition for College Affordability | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Following his efforts to make college more affordable, Governor Pat McCrory has applauded the inclusion of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and East Carolina University in a new national rankings list for best value.

    The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was ranked 14th, while East Carolina University ranked 99th in Educate to Career's 2017 College Rankings Index of the Top 100 Best Value Colleges.

    "This is further evidence that North Carolina is an outstanding place to get a top-notch, affordable college education," said Governor McCrory. "Our efforts to make college more affordable by freezing and lowering tuition and capping student fees will help families and students prepare for college and continue to make our world-class universities more accessible to students from all backgrounds throughout North Carolina. I'm proud that our state has great universities that continue to be recognized for what they offer to students, and I'm proud of what we have done to make college more affordable."

    The budget signed by Governor McCrory caps university fee increases at three percent annually and freezes undergraduate tuition at all UNC system schools for students who graduate in four years, or five years for those enrolled in a five-year degree program.

    The budget also lowers college tuition at UNC Pembroke, Western Carolina University and Elizabeth City State University to $500 per semester for in-state students.

    In addition to making college more affordable, the governor has championed significant investments in higher education. Governor McCrory proposed and voters overwhelmingly approved the $2 billion Connect NC bond, which invests $1.3 billion to improve facilities at North Carolina Universities and Community Colleges.

    Educate to Career is a non-profit that focuses on the transition from college to career, according to its website. The group analyzed labor market outcomes of graduates from 1,200 accredited four-year colleges or universities that enroll 750 or more students.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov