NC Promise sets in-state undergraduate tuition at $500 a semester at four University of North Carolina System universities: Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, UNC Pembroke and Western Carolina. That's $1,000 a year, against a UNC System average of $4,809 for new in-state students in 2026-27. There's no income limit and no application: every North Carolina resident who enrolls pays the NC Promise rate.
The figures below are from the UNC System Office.
What NC Promise costs
| In-state tuition | Out-of-state tuition | |
|---|---|---|
| NC Promise universities | $500 a semester ($1,000 a year) | $3,500 a semester for students entering in 2026 or later ($2,500 for earlier entrants) |
| UNC System average, 2026-27 | $4,809 a year for new students | -- |
Source: UNC System, "NC Promise" and "UNC Board of Governors votes to increase in-state undergraduate tuition for the first time in nine years" (Feb. 26, 2026).
In February 2026, the UNC Board of Governors raised in-state tuition for new students for the first time since 2017, by up to 3%, at the 12 universities outside NC Promise. NC Promise tuition stayed at $500 a semester. Across those 12 universities, tuition and fees together average $7,644 a year in 2026-27.
What it doesn't cover
NC Promise applies to tuition only. Mandatory fees, housing, meals and books are separate and set by each university. Check each campus's cost-of-attendance page for the full figure.
Stacking it with the Next NC Scholarship
For students from households earning $80,000 or less, the Next NC Scholarship pays at least $5,000 a year at any UNC System university. The UNC System says that's enough to fully cover tuition and fees at all four NC Promise universities. Since Next NC money can also go toward books, food and housing, what's left after tuition and fees can help with living costs. You apply for it with the FAFSA, ideally by June 1; see North Carolina college financial aid.
Getting in
NC Promise doesn't change admission requirements. The four universities follow the UNC System's minimums: a 2.5 weighted GPA, with an SAT of 930 or ACT of 17 required only for students between 2.5 and 2.79. Many North Carolina seniors are directly admitted to some of these universities through NC College Connect.
Fall 2027 deadlines, per the UNC System's deadline guide:
- Western Carolina: Early Action Nov. 1, 2026; priority Jan. 2, 2027; regular Feb. 1, 2027.
- UNC Pembroke: Early Action Dec. 1, 2026; priority admission and financial aid Feb. 1, 2027; final Aug. 1, 2027.
- Fayetteville State: fall admission July 30, 2027; its scholarship portal opens Oct. 30, 2026 and closes Feb. 28, 2027.
- Elizabeth City State: fall admission Aug. 1, 2027.
See all 16 UNC System deadlines.
What this means for you
- Compare total cost, not just tuition. At $1,000 a year, tuition is a small part of the bill at an NC Promise school; fees and housing make up most of it.
- If your household earns $80,000 or less, file the FAFSA. The Next NC Scholarship can cover tuition and fees in full at all four.
- Out-of-state? Check the nonresident rate. Students entering in 2026 or later pay $3,500 a semester ($7,000 a year) in tuition at NC Promise universities.
- Apply early for scholarships. Western Carolina's Early Action date is Nov. 1, and Fayetteville State's scholarship portal opens Oct. 30.