2024 North Carolina Colleges Tuition Comparison
The 2024 average tuition & fees of North Carolina colleges is $3,644 for North Carolina residents and $18,262 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, the average graduate tuition & fees is $8,436 for North Carolina residents and $17,721 out-of-state students.
The average living costs at North Carolina colleges is $15,781 when a student lives in on-campus facilities such as dormitory and school owned apartments. The off-campus living cost is $16,657 for academic year 2023-2024.
North Carolina College Tuition Statistics
Below list shows colleges with highest and/or lowest college cost. We include only 4 years colleges for the statistics.
- Duke University has the most expensive undergraduate tuition & fees of $65,805 and Carolina College of Biblical Studies has the cheapest undergraduate costs of $6,276.
- Duke University has the most expensive graduate tuition & fees of $63,985 and Catawba College has the cheapest graduate costs of $3,594.
- Carolina Christian College has the most expensive on-campus living costs of $23,533 and Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College has the lowest costs of $8,753.
- Miller-Motte College-Wilmington has the highest off-campus living costs of $35,385 and Livingstone College has the lowest costs of $6,691.
- Wake Forest University has the most expensive undergraduate tuition per credit hour of $2,650 and Elizabeth City State University has the lowest costs of $208.
- Duke University has the highest graduate tuition per credit hour of $4,325 and Carolina College of Biblical Studies has the cheapest costs of $280.
2024 Tuition Comparison Between North Carolina Colleges
The following table lists North Carolina colleges with colleges costs including tuition, fees, and living costs. For 4-years colleges and community colleges, the tuition & fees are the average of programs for an academic year ad for career/vocational schools (less than 2 years school), the tuition & fees are the costs for the largest program and length of program varies by institute.
You can sort the table by column by clicking/touching column titles and narrow down the college list by using the buttons below.
College Name | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees | Graduate Tuition & Fees | On-Campus Living Costs | Off-Campus Living Costs | Undergraduate Tuition per Credit Hour | Graduate Tuition per Credit Hour |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
College of the Albemarle Elizabeth City, NC Public, 2-4 years | $7,222 ($2,249) | - | - | 17,962 | $268 | - |
South Piedmont Community College Polkton, NC Public, 2-4 years | $6,630 ($2,022) | - | - | 23,936 | $268 | - |
Appalachian State University Boone, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $24,537 ($7,541) | $24,140 ($8,380) | 14,983 | 16,103 | $885 | $1,158 |
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville, NC Public, 2-4 years | $9,026 ($2,882) | - | - | 17,150 | $268 | - |
Barton College Wilson, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $35,600 | $10,397 | 15,900 | 17,360 | $1,360 | $578 |
Beaufort County Community College Washington, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,684 ($2,540) | - | - | 15,440 | $268 | - |
Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $19,500 | $17,624 | 14,956 | 13,500 | $650 | $696 |
Bennett College Greensboro, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $19,140 | - | 22,402 | 22,402 | $700 | - |
Bladen Community College Dublin, NC Public, 2-4 years | $7,630 ($2,254) | - | - | 14,600 | $268 | - |
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,804 ($2,660) | - | - | 14,676 | $268 | - |
Brevard College Brevard, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $31,250 | $10,800 | 15,400 | 15,160 | $933 | $600 |
Brunswick Community College Bolivia, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,676 ($2,532) | - | - | 12,280 | $268 | - |
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences Concord, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $16,070 | $31,490 | - | 15,592 | $485 | $525 |
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Hudson, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,681 ($2,537) | - | - | 22,176 | $268 | - |
Campbell University Buies Creek, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $40,410 | $16,158 | 21,917 | 21,917 | $760 | $833 |
Cape Fear Community College Wilmington, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,892 ($2,748) | - | - | 13,658 | $268 | - |
Carteret Community College Morehead City, NC Public, 2-4 years | $7,954 ($2,310) | - | - | 25,760 | $268 | - |
Catawba College Salisbury, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $33,400 | $3,594 | 15,999 | 14,413 | $928 | $599 |
Catawba Valley Community College Hickory, NC Public, 2-4 years | $7,743 ($2,367) | - | - | 27,260 | $268 | - |
Central Carolina Community College Sanford, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,698 ($2,554) | - | - | 17,007 | $268 | - |
Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,936 ($2,792) | - | - | 14,981 | $268 | - |
Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $27,110 | $8,730 | 11,270 | 11,270 | $425 | $485 |
Cleveland Community College Shelby, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,746 ($2,602) | - | - | 3,600 | $268 | - |
Coastal Carolina Community College Jacksonville, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,606 ($2,462) | - | - | 20,991 | $268 | - |
Craven Community College New Bern, NC Public, 2-4 years | $6,630 ($2,022) | - | - | 17,973 | $268 | - |
Davidson-Davie Community College Thomasville, NC Public, 2-4 years | $7,926 ($2,279) | - | - | 17,754 | $268 | - |
Davidson College Davidson, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $60,050 | - | 18,175 | - | - | - |
Duke University Durham, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $65,805 | $63,985 | 19,665 | - | $1,983 | $4,325 |
Durham Technical Community College Durham, NC Public, 2-4 years | $7,666 ($2,290) | - | - | 15,792 | $268 | - |
East Carolina University Greenville, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $23,638 ($7,361) | $20,807 ($7,658) | 15,176 | 15,210 | $864 | $994 |
Edgecombe Community College Tarboro, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,784 ($2,640) | - | - | 12,897 | $268 | - |
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $7,412 ($3,412) | $18,849 ($5,787) | 10,429 | 9,060 | $208 | $913 |
Elon University Elon, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $44,536 | $20,574 | 17,078 | 17,078 | $1,402 | $1,143 |
Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,772 ($2,628) | - | - | 12,922 | $268 | - |
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $7,969 ($3,969) | $17,262 ($6,197) | 13,918 | 13,918 | $208 | $806 |
Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem, NC Public, 2-4 years | $6,864 ($2,256) | - | - | 18,973 | $268 | - |
Gardner-Webb University Boiling Springs, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $33,450 | $11,300 | 13,170 | 8,300 | $496 | $640 |
Gaston College Dallas, NC Public, 2-4 years | $9,330 ($3,186) | - | - | 18,012 | $268 | - |
Greensboro College Greensboro, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $20,400 | $4,416 | 14,845 | 13,845 | $630 | $368 |
Guilford College Greensboro, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $41,140 | $14,880 | 14,600 | 14,600 | $1,085 | $620 |
Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, NC Public, 2-4 years | $7,695 ($2,319) | - | - | 20,511 | $268 | - |
Halifax Community College Weldon, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,752 ($2,608) | - | - | 17,550 | $268 | - |
Haywood Community College Clyde, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,756 ($2,612) | - | - | 21,369 | $268 | - |
Heritage Bible College Dunn, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $8,688 | $10,440 | - | 15,180 | $330 | $395 |
High Point University High Point, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $44,208 | $34,329 | 20,712 | 14,500 | $1,291 | $1,381 |
Isothermal Community College Spindale, NC Public, 2-4 years | $6,638 ($2,030) | - | - | 27,337 | $268 | - |
James Sprunt Community College Kenansville, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,736 ($2,592) | - | - | 14,100 | $268 | - |
Johnson C Smith University Charlotte, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $20,480 | $19,612 | 14,264 | 15,650 | $769 | - |
Johnston Community College Smithfield, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,801 ($2,657) | - | - | 14,871 | $268 | - |
Lees-McRae College Banner Elk, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $31,740 | $9,750 | 18,150 | 20,150 | $775 | $500 |
Lenoir Community College Kinston, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,712 ($2,568) | - | - | 14,332 | $268 | - |
Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $30,900 | $12,240 | 16,150 | 16,150 | $1,660 | $690 |
Livingstone College Salisbury, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $18,296 | $12,439 | 8,794 | 6,691 | $509 | $600 |
Louisburg College Louisburg, NC Private, 2-4 years | $22,974 | - | 16,006 | 11,154 | $957 | - |
Mars Hill University Mars Hill, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $37,270 | $14,364 | 13,228 | 12,456 | $1,335 | $496 |
Martin Community College Williamston, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,667 ($2,523) | - | - | 14,336 | $268 | - |
Mayland Community College Spruce Pine, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,704 ($2,560) | - | - | 16,263 | $268 | - |
McDowell Technical Community College Marion, NC Public, 2-4 years | $6,566 ($1,958) | - | - | 18,135 | $268 | - |
Meredith College Raleigh, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $43,936 | $13,619 | 14,760 | 14,760 | $1,086 | $748 |
Methodist University Fayetteville, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $39,664 | $43,365 | 16,236 | 14,650 | $1,255 | $545 |
Mitchell Community College Statesville, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,795 ($2,651) | - | - | 17,596 | $268 | - |
Montgomery Community College Troy, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,682 ($2,538) | - | - | 14,713 | $268 | - |
Montreat College Montreat, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $33,860 | $11,310 | 12,230 | 13,500 | $750 | $567 |
University of Mount Olive Mount Olive, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $25,950 | $18,700 | 13,212 | 7,800 | $455 | $610 |
Nash Community College Rocky Mount, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,883 ($2,883) | - | - | 11,000 | $279 | - |
North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $20,408 ($6,748) | $20,903 ($8,103) | 12,432 | 15,594 | $717 | $983 |
University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $24,809 ($7,461) | $24,575 ($8,253) | 13,618 | 13,618 | $895 | $1,180 |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $39,330 ($8,989) | $30,819 ($12,527) | 15,830 | 15,830 | $1,557 | $1,602 |
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $21,876 ($7,214) | $22,438 ($7,869) | 16,508 | 16,508 | $770 | $1,058 |
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $23,339 ($7,593) | $22,676 ($8,546) | 13,870 | 16,872 | $840 | $1,084 |
North Carolina Central University Durham, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $19,578 ($6,542) | $20,788 ($7,480) | 18,746 | 17,253 | $699 | $1,003 |
University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $27,211 ($9,477) | $27,379 ($12,676) | 16,119 | 16,119 | $1,010 | $1,356 |
North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $31,767 ($8,895) | $31,793 ($11,819) | 16,840 | 16,840 | $1,225 | $1,635 |
North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $35,536 | $12,700 | 14,994 | 12,000 | $475 | $525 |
University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $22,985 ($7,317) | $23,029 ($7,853) | 18,583 | 18,583 | $838 | $1,120 |
Pamlico Community College Grantsboro, NC Public, 2-4 years | $6,475 ($1,867) | - | - | 23,720 | $268 | - |
William Peace University Raleigh, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $33,150 | - | 16,684 | 18,478 | $1,085 | - |
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $7,571 ($3,571) | $19,910 ($6,851) | 14,094 | 12,435 | $208 | $963 |
Pfeiffer University Misenheimer, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $33,930 | $12,240 | 14,520 | 14,520 | $700 | $680 |
Piedmont Community College Roxboro, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,700 ($2,556) | - | - | 13,588 | $268 | - |
Pitt Community College Winterville, NC Public, 2-4 years | $6,578 ($1,970) | - | - | 16,838 | $268 | - |
Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $42,790 | $15,270 | 22,105 | 22,705 | $1,133 | $806 |
Randolph Community College Asheboro, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,176 ($2,416) | - | - | 18,923 | $268 | - |
Richmond Community College Hamlet, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,696 ($2,552) | - | - | 20,074 | $268 | - |
Mid-Atlantic Christian University Elizabeth City, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $17,280 | - | 15,320 | 16,940 | $540 | - |
Roanoke-Chowan Community College Ahoskie, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,786 ($2,642) | - | - | 9,100 | $268 | - |
Robeson Community College Lumberton, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,715 ($2,571) | - | - | 14,080 | $268 | - |
Rockingham Community College Wentworth, NC Public, 2-4 years | $6,574 ($1,966) | - | - | 12,150 | $268 | - |
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Salisbury, NC Public, 2-4 years | $6,672 ($2,064) | - | - | 24,452 | $268 | - |
Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $16,896 | $11,300 | 15,881 | 14,222 | $457 | $450 |
Salem College Winston-Salem, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $32,752 | $6,600 | 18,796 | 15,514 | $425 | $487 |
Sampson Community College Clinton, NC Public, 2-4 years | $11,035 ($3,163) | - | - | 20,636 | $268 | - |
Sandhills Community College Pinehurst, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,792 ($2,648) | - | - | 22,630 | $268 | - |
Shaw University Raleigh, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $17,272 | $13,188 | 12,380 | 12,490 | $517 | $578 |
St. Andrews University Laurinburg, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $30,800 | $15,000 | 18,486 | 14,612 | $474 | $583 |
Southeastern Community College Whiteville, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,744 ($2,600) | - | - | 14,530 | $268 | - |
Southwestern Community College Sylva, NC Public, 2-4 years | $19,630 ($5,806) | - | - | 16,710 | $268 | - |
Stanly Community College Albemarle, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,816 ($2,672) | - | - | 16,619 | $268 | - |
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $10,516 | $6,388 | 11,186 | 16,877 | $409 | $316 |
Surry Community College Dobson, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,689 ($2,545) | - | - | 14,250 | $268 | - |
Alamance Community College Graham, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,642 ($2,498) | - | - | 23,717 | $268 | - |
Tri-County Community College Murphy, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,507 ($2,363) | - | - | 13,721 | $288 | - |
Vance-Granville Community College Henderson, NC Public, 2-4 years | $6,564 ($1,956) | - | - | 15,577 | $268 | - |
Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $64,758 | $39,350 | 21,168 | 21,168 | $2,650 | $1,610 |
Wake Technical Community College Raleigh, NC Public, 2-4 years | $7,582 ($2,336) | - | - | 19,413 | $268 | - |
Warren Wilson College Swannanoa, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $40,290 | $20,550 | 15,840 | 20,435 | $1,563 | $1,750 |
Watts College of Nursing Durham, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $21,822 | - | - | - | - | - |
Wayne Community College Goldsboro, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,668 ($2,524) | - | - | 13,400 | $268 | - |
Western Piedmont Community College Morganton, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,794 ($2,650) | - | - | 17,482 | $268 | - |
Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,716 ($2,572) | - | - | 10,506 | $268 | - |
Wilson Community College Wilson, NC Public, 2-4 years | $8,716 ($2,572) | - | - | 14,510 | $268 | - |
Wingate University Wingate, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $41,731 | $12,600 | 16,526 | 21,150 | $1,575 | $700 |
Carolina Christian College Winston Salem, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $9,420 | $11,440 | 23,533 | 33,999 | - | - |
Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $17,391 ($6,735) | $17,741 ($7,206) | 14,976 | 15,631 | $586 | $800 |
Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $8,532 ($4,532) | $18,497 ($7,778) | 15,094 | 15,652 | $340 | $1,260 |
Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College Wendell, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $11,250 | - | 8,753 | 16,900 | $435 | - |
Carolinas College of Health Sciences Charlotte, NC Public, 4 years four-years | $19,095 | - | - | 32,271 | $485 | - |
Hood Theological Seminary Salisbury, NC Private, 4 years four-years | - | $20,350 | - | - | - | $700 |
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary Charlotte, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $11,960 | $9,612 | - | 24,349 | $515 | $479 |
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Charlotte, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $39,992 | - | 17,402 | 12,958 | $1,105 | - |
Southeastern College-Charlotte Charlotte, NC Private, 2-4 years | $24,184 | - | - | 14,608 | $933 | - |
Strayer University-North Carolina Greensboro, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $13,920 | $15,135 | - | 10,563 | $339 | $533 |
Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts Asheville, NC Private, 4 years four-years | - | $22,730 | - | - | - | $550 |
Carolina College of Biblical Studies Fayetteville, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $6,276 | $5,340 | - | 16,791 | $249 | $280 |
Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine Sugar Grove, NC Private, 4 years four-years | - | $14,745 | - | - | - | - |
Shepherds Theological Seminary Cary, NC Private, 4 years four-years | - | $8,380 | - | - | - | $435 |
Manna University Fayetteville, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $7,163 | $5,963 | - | 27,577 | $220 | $300 |
South University-High Point High Point, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $20,556 | $14,880 | - | 16,839 | $551 | $600 |
Chamberlain University-North Carolina Charlotte, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $20,412 | - | - | 22,348 | $699 | - |
Carolina University Winston-Salem, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $16,000 | $11,500 | 15,600 | 14,920 | $475 | $555 |
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte Charlotte, NC Private, 2-4 years | $16,657 | - | - | 19,747 | $590 | - |
Galen Health Institutes-Asheville Asheville, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $16,400 | - | - | 19,359 | $448 | - |
Leons Beauty School Inc Greensboro, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $8,300 | - | - | 17,357 | - | - |
Miller-Motte College-Wilmington Wilmington, NC Private, 4 years four-years | $25,240 | - | - | 35,385 | - | - |
Mitchells Academy Raleigh, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $15,900 | - | - | 39,000 | - | - |
College of Wilmington Wilmington, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $17,641 | - | - | 25,209 | - | - |
Paul Mitchell the School-Fayetteville Fayetteville, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $17,575 | - | - | 30,326 | - | - |
Winston Salem Barber School Winston-Salem, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $14,895 | - | - | 20,438 | - | - |
Pinnacle Institute of Cosmetology Mooresville, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $20,125 | - | - | 26,875 | - | - |
Gwinnett College Raleigh, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $14,668 | - | - | 35,016 | - | - |
NASCAR Technical Institute Mooresville, NC Private, 2-4 years | $49,750 | - | - | 29,484 | - | - |
Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia Gastonia, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $19,420 | - | - | 30,326 | - | - |
Empire Beauty School-Concord Concord, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $19,260 | - | - | 18,662 | - | - |
Aveda Institute-Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $22,989 | - | - | 20,852 | - | - |
Center for Massage Asheville, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $8,945 | - | - | 14,600 | - | - |
Miller-Motte College-Raleigh Raleigh, NC Private, 2-4 years | $25,240 | - | - | 35,385 | - | - |
Health And Style Institute Greensboro, NC Private, 2-4 years | $14,545 | - | - | 34,762 | - | - |
Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville Fayetteville, NC Private, 2-4 years | $5,000 | - | - | 2,359 | - | - |
Empire Beauty School-Charlotte Charlotte, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $19,260 | - | - | 20,124 | - | - |
Empire Beauty School-Winston-Salem Winston-Salem, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $19,260 | - | - | 20,124 | - | - |
Empire Beauty School-Pineville Charlotte, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $19,260 | - | - | 20,124 | - | - |
Carolina College of Hair Design Inc Asheville, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $18,045 | - | - | 15,526 | - | - |
Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville Jacksonville, NC Private, 2-4 years | $25,240 | - | - | 35,385 | - | - |
Paul Mitchell the School-Raleigh Raleigh, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $17,218 | - | - | 30,326 | - | - |
Empire Beauty School-West Greensboro Greensboro, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $19,260 | - | - | 20,124 | - | - |
MyComputerCareer at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Private, 2-4 years | $17,271 | - | - | 16,980 | - | - |
Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design Greenville, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $16,200 | - | - | 16,460 | - | - |
Beyond Measure Barbering Institute Mebane, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $16,950 | - | - | 13,368 | - | - |
Bull City Durham Beauty and Barber College Durham, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $15,735 | - | - | 13,250 | - | - |
No Grease Barber School Charlotte, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $18,272 | - | - | 23,121 | - | - |
Elevate Salon Institute Durham, NC Private, Less than 2 years | $16,500 | - | - | 18,330 | - | - |
Average | $18,262 | $17,721 | 15,781 | 16,657 | $556 | $841 |
Most Compared North Carolina Colleges
The following North Carolina college pairs are frequently compared by users. You can compare the schools by their most important academic factors such as acceptance rate and tuition.