UNC's out-of-state tuition increased by five percent while in-state rates stayed flat

UNC’s out-of-state tuition increased by five percent for the 2024-25 academic year, while the in-state tuition has remained flat for the past eight years. 

Out-of-state tuition and fees for 2024-2025 total to $41,218, which, according to The U.S. News & World Report, is around 42 percent higher than the national average. 

Due to the cost, applicants may seek to qualify for in-state tuition rates. The U.S. News & World Report estimates that in-state tuition is 35.5 percent lower than the national average. North Carolina Residents without aid pay about $9,000 in annual tuition and fees. 

The Office of The University Registrar states that students must maintain legal residence for at least 12 consecutive months to qualify for in-state tuition. For Lamees Sohail, a first-year student at UNC, eligibility for the in-state rate was a “huge factor” in her decision to attend the University. 

Originally from New York, Sohail said she lived with her aunt in North Carolina for her senior year of high school. Her new primary residence and North Carolina license were factored into her eligibility. 

Sohail said that the in-state cost of attendance is a good rate, especially with UNC considered a “public ivy." 

“It's such a rigorous school, academically and sports wise, that it's worth it,” she said. 

While the in-state tuition alone remains unchanged, the fees and costs of living for residents continue to increase. 

Over the last 10 years, the combined tuition and fees for residents have increased by eight percent. The University Cashier’s website states that such fees go towards campus health, campus security and student organizations. 

This growth rate is higher than the University of Florida’s, which is about one percent, but lower than many other public institutions. The University of Wisconsin-Madison has raised resident tuition and fees by 11.5 percent, the University of Pittsburgh increased by 23.4 percent and the University of Virginia by 65 percent. 

UNC-CH has the highest public school tuition in UNC System, but the lowest general fees, which lowers total costs. In-state students at UNC paid $166.79 less in combined tuition and fees than residents at North Carolina State University during the 2022-23 academic year. 

One way in-state students can reduce the cost of attendance is to take advantage of transfer programs with community colleges and less expensive state schools.

Iris Eyster is a sophomore at UNC who transferred from UNC Greensboro. Eyster said that she spent her first year at UNC-G with the guarantee of direct admittance to UNC for her sophomore year. 

At Greensboro, Eyster said her cost of attendance was about $7,500. She said she now pays $11,358 to attend UNC. 

“I think that the things about UNC that cost more than living at UNC-G aren't tuition, necessarily,” Eyster said.

According to UNC Greensboro’s Office of Costs, Aid and Scholarships, on campus housing is about $1,736 less expensive than the average housing at UNC. The most expensive meal plan at Greensboro is $1,932 less than the average cost of food at UNC. 

The University Cashier’s Cost of Attendance Budget also predicts that on campus housing and meal plans will see a $1,138 total average increase at UNC during the 2025-26 academic year. 

In terms of what tuition is funding, the 2023-24 Use of Tuition Statemen t said that over 50 percent of tuition went towards supporting the University’s instruction, or “direct academic mission.” A total of 30 percent of the funds were allocated to need-based aid and operation and maintenance of the University Cogeneration Facility plant, utilities and IT infrastructure.

Santiago Patino, an international student from Colombia, said that he needs a “clear, concise list” of what tuition is going towards and what projects will be improved. 

“If you guys want to raise tuition, tell me why you're doing it,” Patino said. “Tell me, where is it going, right?”

While future tuition rates are determined annually by the UNC System Board of Governors and the UNC Board of Trustees, in-state tuition rates have remained stable over the last eight years. 

@dailytarheel | university@dailytarheel.com