Affordable Online Degrees for North Carolina Residents
ACE programs cost less, no matter your location.
ACE vs. Online Colleges in North Carolina
to $1 ROI
For every $1 ACE students invest in their education, they receive $19.20 in higher future earnings.5
You want the best online program for your future. While schools in your home state are a good place to start your search, they might not deliver the return on investment you鈥檙e looking for.
That鈥檚 where 番茄视频 (ACE), a fully online college, comes in. We鈥檙e committed to providing top-tier education at a price that works for you.
Our students enjoy programs that do more and cost less thanks to our strong career preparation, high-quality coursework, robust student support and flexibility to fit within busy schedules. And we bring this excellent student experience directly to North Carolina residents with no commute required.
Why Choose ACE?
From the moment you apply through graduation and beyond, ACE is designed to support your success. You鈥檒l earn a respected degree while maintaining control over your schedule and budget. We believe your education should fit your life, not the other way around.
How ACE Compares
North Carolina is home to prominent public universities such as the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and Appalachian State University. These institutions offer a range of graduate programs, including options in education.
Instead of adapting traditional curriculum taught in classrooms, ACE was built specifically for online learning, with custom courses aligned with career-centered outcomes. Our flexible programs are designed for working adults juggling work and life. Compare your choices below to see why ACE continues to stand out.
| ACE | University of North Carolina Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina Charlotte | North Carolina State University | Appalachian State University | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Delivery | Fully online courses1 | Few online options | Some online options | Several online options | Some online options |
| Built for working adults | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Start dates per year | 9 starts | 2-4 starts | 2-5 starts | 2-6 starts | 2-4 starts |
| Cost (online master鈥檚) | Most under $10,0002 (total program cost) | $12,7513 (average annual in-state cost) | $8,0373 (average annual in-state cost) | $12,1013 (average annual in-state cost) | $8,5703 (average annual in-state cost) |
| GRE requirement | Never | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes |
Published tuition and fee figures for comparison institutions reflect annual costs rather than total program cost. As master鈥檚 programs commonly span multiple academic years, total costs at comparison institutions may exceed the annual amounts shown.
Our Unmatched Affordability
Students searching for affordable online degrees in North Carolina often discover that ACE offers a clearer and more predictable cost structure. Tuition is intentionally kept low and transparent, allowing students to plan confidently for their education.
At ACE, 87% of students graduate without student loan debt.4 By minimizing financial barriers, ACE helps ensure your degree supports your future goals rather than delaying them.
Our Unique Academic Experience
At ACE, curriculum development doesn鈥檛 stand still. We design each program around up-to-date industry standards, technologies and professional practices. Our academic team continuously refines course content to ensure you鈥檙e learning what matters most for your career.
Additionally, our faculty are recognized experts and active practitioners, bringing real-world experience into the classroom and offering insights grounded in practice.
Your experience also includes:
- Consistent course structure: Every course follows the same format, helping you focus on learning rather than logistics.
- Flexible, asynchronous learning: Coursework is asynchronous and, outside of select hands-on requirements for some programs, can be completed fully online.
- Comprehensive student resources: Count on our writing center, extensive library and monthly tutoring hours to help you succeed.
How ACE Supports Aspiring聽North Carolina聽Teachers
ACE has supported thousands of educators as they move from early teaching roles into experienced instructional and leadership positions. For many, that path begins with earning initial teaching credentials.
At ACE, you can complete an initial licensure certificate or a master鈥檚 degree and then take steps toward North Carolina teaching certification. As with any licensure pathway, it鈥檚 important to review and plan for any additional .
Programs That Advance Careers
We鈥檙e accredited by the (HLC) and have the online programs you need to advance your career.
Education
Whether you鈥檙e looking to become an educator, grow your expertise or advance into administration, ACE equips you with the research, strategies, pedagogies and skills you need.
Business
Dive into today鈥檚 business landscape and discover how to address its challenges with relevant skills, practices and technologies that are designed to make a difference.
Healthcare
Healthcare administrators and public health professionals are a driving force in ensuring quality patient care. ACE prepares you to succeed in non-clinical healthcare roles.
Nursing
Nurses looking to become leaders or educators should look no further than ACE to support their career goals with innovative and applicable practices that lead to positive patient outcomes.
FAQs
Is ACE authorized to offer programs to students in North Carolina?
Yes! ACE is approved to enroll students in聽North Carolina聽and other SARA聽participating聽states through its home-state authorization in Indiana.聽Read about this agreement聽to聽learn more about how ACE supports out-of-state enrollments.
What do ACE programs offer that online North Carolina colleges might not?
ACE programs are known for their affordability,聽flexibility聽and quality. Courses are taught by experienced faculty and designed to build skills that apply聽immediately聽in professional settings. For every $1 ACE聽students聽invest聽in their education, they receive $19.20 in higher future earnings.5
How can an ACE degree help me get聽a聽North Carolina聽teaching certificate?
ACE鈥檚聽initial聽licensure programs provide foundational teaching knowledge, instructional strategies, assessment聽tools聽and educational technologies that support classroom success.
1Some programs also have local practicum, internship or student teaching requirements.
2This is an estimated value of the cost for tuition and fees. Amounts may vary depending on number of transfer credits applied to the selected program hours, the pace and satisfactory completion of the selected program, receipt of institutional scholarship and/or grant amounts, or adjustments to tuition or fees as described in the Catalog Right to Modify Tuition section. State sales and use tax will apply where required by law.
3CollegeTuitionCompare: , , , . Accessed Jan. 25, 2026.
4Internal research completed in November 2025