NCWU Cost Transparency for Traditional "Day" Students
North Carolina Wesleyan University has been identified as the most affordable private non-profit university in North Carolina and we feel it is still important to provide students a way to understand how to finance their education. NCWU offers a best-in-class value and a personally tailored private higher education experience. We invest in each and every student we accept by providing individualized awards, scholarships and grants.
What does "Net Price" mean for college costs?
A net price or net cost is an estimate of the actual cost you and your family need to pay in a year to cover education expenses for you to attend a particular college or career school. It is the institution’s cost of attendance minus any grants, scholarships, tuition waivers and other gift aid a student receives or is eligible for during one year of college. This does not factor in loans. It includes only the forms of financial aid that a student does not have to repay or earn through work.
The net price is the student’s real bottom line cost of college. It is the amount the student must pay from available resources, including savings, income and loans. Families should compare colleges based on affordability using the net price, not the sticker price or net cost.
What is the average net cost to attend NC Wesleyan University?
The “sticker price” for NCWU University for one year is determined by selecting your tuition fees, room and board choice, and appropriate fees. The actual “net cost” differs per student based on FAFSA and other awards.
NC Wesleyan University’s Financial Aid Department awards over $24 million in aid each year. Through the support of private gifts from alumni, businesses, and friends, as well as endowment earnings, NCWU can charge tuition that is less than the actual sticker price.
2023-2024 Net Cost Breakdown Example
The following information is based on previous student financial data and is intended to demonstrate, an annual average of typical NCWU student tuition and the provided average award (based on Fall 2023 cost/awards). Award averages are based on the types of traditional students (Residential and Commuter) and is typical of an example of what a student might expect annually. Each student’s financial aid and award is based on many factors and will vary based on the student factor, however, these examples listed are based on NCWU admitted and packaged students.
By providing clear and customized financial information, Wesleyan hopes to provide each student with a financial footprint throughout their college career. The Office of Financial Aid and the Business Office offers ongoing support throughout the student’s enrollment, including one-on-one financial counseling.
Example Net Cost For:
Traditional/Day RESIDENTIAL Students to attend NCWU
Undergraduate Tuition Net Cost Example
(Enrolled in 12 credit hours or more/semester)
Traditional Resident – Cost of Attendance
Tuition – $34,936
Rooms (Double) – $5,698
Unlimited Meal Plan1 – $7,096
Student Fees2 – $1,000
Textbooks/Supplies3 – $1,200
Parking: No Cost
Estimated Subtotal/Year – $48,730
Traditional Resident-Aid/Awards
Average University Award (Merit-Based)4 – $18,000
Average NC Wesleyan Grant (Institutional) – $4,528
Average Federal Pell Grant (Federal)5 – $7,395
Average NC Need-Based Award (State)6 – $5,440
Total Grants & Aid/Year – $35,363
Net Cost – $13,367
1 Unlimited Meal Plan – First-year Freshman students are required to be enrolled in our Unlimited Meal Plan via our Blue & Gold Cafeteria.
2Student fees include the technology fee, activity fee, and student insurance if applicable
3Although there is no cost for textbooks, NCWU does account for cost for books as a part of student aid
4 Merit based awards are based on a 3.0 HS GPA
5 Federal Grant, based on a $0 SAI
6NC Need-Based awarded only to residents of North Carolina
Traditional/Day COMMUTER Students to attend NCWU
Undergraduate Tuition Net Cost Example
(Enrolled in 12 credit hours or more/semester)
Traditional Commuter – Cost of Attendance
Tuition – $34,936
Rooms (Double) – No Cost
Unlimited Meal Plan – No Cost
Student Fees2 – $1,000
Textbooks/Supplies3 – $1,200
Parking – No Cost
Estimated Subtotal/Year – $35,936
Traditional Commuter Aid/Awards
Average University Award (Merit-Based)4 – $18,000
Average NC Wesleyan Grant (Institutional) – $4,528
Average Federal Pell Grant (Federal)5 – $7,395
Average NC Need-Based Award (State)6 – $5,440
Total Aid Award/Year – $35,363
Net Cost – $573
2 Student fees include the technology fee, activity fee, and student insurance -if applicable
3 Although there is no cost for textbooks, NCWU does account for cost for books as a part of student aid
4 Merit-Based Scholarships for commuter students will vary depending on student’s GPA. Ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, and are automatic each year the student is enrolled at NCWU
5 Numbers are based on a $0 SAI from information provided through FAFSA
6 NC Need-Based awarded only to residents of North Carolina
Grants, Aid/Awards (Money that does NOT need to be repaid)
Adult & Professional Studies Students to attend NCWU
Undergraduate Tuition Net Cost Example
(Enrolled in 12 credit hours or more/semester)
Tuition – $15,660 ($435 per credit hour x 36 hours*)
Student Fees2 – $270.00 per year
Textbooks/Supplies3 – $1,200
Parking – No Cost
Estimated Subtotal/Year – $17,130
Total Aid Award/Year – $3,724
Net Cost – $13,406
2Student fees include the technology fee of $45 per 8-week session(6). Activity fee, student insurance, Rooms and Meal Plans do not apply to APS Students.
3Although there is no cost for textbooks, NCWU does account for cost for books as a part of student aid
*(Adult Studies typically is a year-round, 3-semester program that is approximately 36 credit hours)
Graduate Students to attend NCWU
Graduate Tuition Net Cost Example
(Enrolled in 12 credit hours or more/semester: Graduate Tuition is Degree Specific)
MSCJ
Tuition – $12,600 ($525.00 per credit hour x 24 hours)
Student Fees2 – $90.00
Textbooks/Supplies3 – $1,200
Parking – No Cost
Estimated Subtotal/Year – $12,690
Total Aid Award/Year – $0
Net Cost – $12,690
(Approximate total of MSCJ program tuition costs are $17,300 – $17,600 and requires 33 hours to complete)
2Student fees include the technology fee, activity fee, and student insurance if applicable
3Although there is no cost for textbooks, NCWU does account for cost for books as a part of student aid
MBA
100% Online Option
Tuition – $12,840 ($535.00 per credit hour x 24 hours)
Student Fees2 – $90.00
Textbooks/Supplies – $1,200
Parking – No Cost
Estimated Subtotal/Year – $12,930
Total Aid Award/Year – $0
Net Cost – $12,930
(Approximate total of online MBA program tuition costs are $17,600 – $17,900 and requires 33 hours to complete)
Hybrid Option available in our Executive Residency Program
Our Executive Residency Graduate MBA Program requires a total of 35 semester hours to graduate. Details, tuition and costs can be found here.
2Student fees include the technology fee, activity fee, and student insurance if applicable
MSSL
Tuition – $12,840 ($535.00 per credit hour x 24 hours)
Student Fees2 – $90.00
Textbooks/Supplies – $1,200
Parking – No Cost
Estimated Subtotal/Year – $12,930
Total Aid Award/Year – $0
Net Cost – $12,930
(Approximate total of MSSL program tuition costs are $16,000 – $16,400 and requires 30 hours to complete)
2Student fees include the technology fee, activity fee, and student insurance if applicable
MPH
Tuition – $13,200 ($550.00 per credit hour x 24 hours)
Student Fees2 – $90.00
Textbooks/Supplies – $1,200
Parking – No Cost
Estimated Subtotal/Year – $13,290
Net Cost – $13,290
(Approximate total of MPH program tuition costs are $23,200 – $24,000 and requires 42 hours to complete)
2Student fees include the technology fee, activity fee, and student insurance if applicable
MS-ITM
100% Online Option
Tuition – $16,500 ($550.00 per credit hour x 30 hours*)
Student Fees2 – $375.00 ($50 tech fee x 5 sessions + $125 grad fee)
Textbooks/Supplies – $1,000 (approximate)
Parking – No Cost
Estimated Subtotal- $17,875
Hybrid Option available in our Executive Residency Program
Our Executive Residency Graduate MS-ITM Program requires a total of 32 semester hours to graduate. Details, tuition and costs can be found here.
MS-HPSS
Tuition – $20,900 ($550.00 per credit hour x 38 hours)
Rooming (Double) – No Cost
Student Fees2 – $325.00 ($50 tech fee x 4 semesters + 125 graduation fee)
Textbooks/Supplies – $1,200
Parking – No Cost
Estimated Subtotal – $22,425
2Student fees include the technology fee and graduation fee
Funding Your Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Contact Us
Have questions about tuition or financial aid? The Office of Financial Aid is here to help. Call us Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. – noon and 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at 252.985.5290 or visit our office in Pearsall Classroom Building, Room 186.
You can also make in-person appointments by emailing FinancialAid@ncwu.edu.