Understanding UNC Charlotte Tuition and Fees

UNC Charlotte, as a public institution of the State of North Carolina, offers a range of graduate programs designed to expand expertise, refine skills and unlock new opportunities. Tuition and fees at UNC Charlotte vary depending on a student's state residency status. North Carolina (NC) residents benefit from relatively modest tuition and fee rates mandated by the state. However, even for non-residents, UNC Charlotte's tuition and fee rates are relatively low compared to national averages.

Tuition and Fees Breakdown

A detailed breakdown of current University tuition and fees can be found on UNC Charlotte’s tuition and fees chart.

Residency and Tuition

Determining residency is crucial for tuition purposes. The Residency Determination Service (RDS) is the centralized system in North Carolina for determining residency for students. The admissions team is not responsible for making residency determinations. The ELTI does not offer in-state tuition.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Listed below are the estimated costs for a full-time, undergraduate Charlotte student, one a NC Resident and one a Non-Resident of NC, living on campus during the 2024-2025 academic year, including tuition, fees, and room and board. The table below reflects the estimated cost of attendance for an undergraduate student who is a NC Resident, living on campus for the academic year. The table below reflects the estimated cost of attendance for an undergraduate student who is a Non-Resident of NC, living on campus for the academic year.

Listed below are the estimated costs for a full-time, undergraduate Charlotte student, one a NC Resident and one a Non-Resident of NC*, living on campus during the 2025-2026 academic year, including tuition, fees, and room and board. The table below reflects the estimated cost of attendance for an undergraduate student who is a NC Resident, living on campus for the academic year. The table below reflects the estimated cost of attendance for an undergraduate student who is a Non-Resident of NC, living on campus for the academic year.

Graduate Programs in Architecture: M.Arch., M.S. in Arch., and M.U.D.

The tuition and fees chart can be difficult to read, so below is a breakdown of the tuition and fees associated with the M.Arch., M.S. in Arch., and M.U.D. Students in the Advanced Standing (AS) and M.Arch. I (MI) tracks of the M.Arch. program and students in the M.U.D. program require an additional summer term. Note that University-funded scholarships do not cover summer tuition and fees. The current tuition and fee rates for Summer 2025 may be found on this chart, and below is a summary relevant to M.Arch and M.U.D. Summer 2025 Tuition and Fees for M.Arch. Summer 2025 Tuition and Fees for M.Arch. MI and M.U.D.

Additional Program Expenses for Architecture Students

Pursuing a degree in Architecture (especially the M.Arch. and M.U.D. degrees) entails additional expenses, and prospective students should be aware of them before they begin their degree path.

Laptop capable of advanced computing (use this tech guide to meet the requirements for M.Arch. and M.U.D.
Supply kit for new M.Arch. and M.U.D. without studio experience; this kit may be purchased from a SoA-approved retailer; students in the AS and MII tracks of the M.Arch.
Studio Supplies: studios involve model-making and fabrication expenses, which vary semester-to-semester; on average, students in the M.Arch. and M.U.D.
Printing Costs: studios involve printing expenses, which vary semester-to-semester; on average, students in the M.Arch. and M.U.D.
Field Trips: some topical studios in the M.Arch.
Program-required Study Abroad: M.U.D.
Optional Study Abroad: M.Arch. students with certain qualifications may be eligible to pursue spring break, summer, and even semester-long study abroad programs operated by the SoA; these programs are not required for M.Arch.

Total Degree Expenses for M.Arch. Total Degree Expenses for M.Arch. Total Degree Expenses for M.Arch. Total Degree Expenses for M.Arch. Note: students’ NC residency status may change during their course of study.

ELTI Program Costs

Before choosing a plan of study, it is important that you understand the financial commitment. It is the ELTI’s goal to be clear about program costs. Parking, textbooks, meals, accommodation, health insurance, and other costs associated with life in Charlotte are not included in the tuition and fees. Tuition is what you pay for your academic coursework and is set by the ELTI. Fees are what you pay for access to university facilities and resources such as the recreation center, the library, sporting events, and the light rail. *Fees are subject to change each semester and will be updated accordingly. on student visas (which require full-time study) may enroll in one or two of the three daily classes. Payment Tuition and fees are due upon arrival and should be paid by the deadlines established by the ELTI. Students who sign up for the UNC Charlotte payment plan must make payments by the deadlines established by UNC Charlotte. Sponsored StudentsSponsoring agencies must provide an official letter of sponsorship covering the period of enrollment. Students must have this sponsorship at the beginning of the term of study.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

UNC Charlotte is committed to providing a quality education at an affordable cost. The university provides resources to help students navigate the options available for financing their education.

Read also: Affording ECU

Financial Aid Overview

Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.

Students Receiving Financial Aid: 51%
Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 85%
Average Aid Packages Awarded: $12,422
Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award: $9,255 (Scholarships and grants don’t need to be paid back.)
Need-Based Loan Amount: $4,150 (Loans must be paid back.)
Debt at Graduation: $27,435 (The typical amount of loans a student must pay back.)

Key Financial Aid Dates

Application Due: Sep 30 (The last day to apply for financial aid or turn in related paperwork.)
Priority Application Due: Jan 1 (Applications received prior to this date will be given the strongest consideration. Still apply for financial aid if you don’t make this due date.)
Notification Date: Not available (When students receive a letter with the amount and types of aid the college is offering.)
Response Due: Not available (The deadline for students to respond to the college’s aid offer.)

Merit-Based Awards

There are a number of merit-based awards that all accepted applicants are assessed for during the admission process. No separate application is necessary. These are awarded to the most promising new graduate students. For M.Arch. applicants with a design background, awards are based on prior academic and professional experience as well as skills and achievements in architecture.

Graduate Assistant Support Plan (GASP)

These awards (available to resident and non-resident students) cover fall and spring semester tuition for the duration of an academic program, from 1 to 3 years (fees and increments not included). Each award also includes health insurance and a yearly stipend of $18,500.

Research/Teaching Assistant Support for Master of Science and Master of Urban Design Students

These awards (available to resident and non-resident students) provide a stipend of $14,250 per year. Students receiving these awards are tasked with research activities and/or teaching assistantships under the supervision of a faculty member or within one of the SoA’s research labs. For students who serve as teaching assistants, these awards, under Master’s TA Resident Tuition (MTART) Awards program, also cover the equivalent of resident tuition. Students pursuing the M.Arch.

Research Assistantships

A limited number of research assistant stipends are offered to new and/or continuing students who do not receive one of the above tuition awards. These awards are valued at $2,000 or $4,000 per semester (comparable to $4,000 or $8,000 per year), depending on the number of hours-per-week of the position.

Read also: Withdrawals for College: A Guide

Teaching Assistantships

A limited number of research assistant stipends are offered to new and/or continuing students who do not receive one of the above tuition awards and who are qualified to serve as teaching assistants. The typical amount is $2,100 per course/semester.

School of Architecture Scholarships

There are also endowed School of Architecture scholarships that any matriculated student may apply for in the fall semesters of their academic careers. These competitive awards range from $1000 to $2500 and are applied to spring tuition.

Additional Resources

This site includes everything from the basics of qualifying and applying for financial aid, to cost-of-living calculators to help students to plan their budgets. The David R.

Net Price

Average Net Price: $13,768 per year. Your net price is a college’s cost of attendance minus the grants and scholarships you receive. The net price you pay for a particular college is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price. Average Net Price by Household Income.

Tuition Guarantee Plans

Tuition at time of first enrollment guaranteed only to students making advance payment.

Cost Comparison

University of North Carolina at Charlotte's tuition is $7,020 for in-state and $22,274 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,422, University of North Carolina at Charlotte is cheaper. For students coming from out of state, the tuition is cheaper than the national average cost of out-of-state tuition of $29,767. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers. As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the total cost is $24,868 for in-state students and $40,122 for out-of-state students.

Sticker Price:
- In-State Tuition: $3,812 per year
- Out-of-State Tuition: $19,066 per year
- Other Costs:
  - Books and Supplies: $700 per year
  - Personal Expenses: $1,450 per year
  - Transportation: $1,240 per year

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