Fayetteville State University is among two North Carolina schools ranked most affordable

A new analysis ranks North Carolina as home to two of the most affordable colleges and universities in the country, including one in Fayetteville.

The tuition analysis from The College Investor, a personal finance and investing website, compared out-of-state tuition for a single academic year across hundreds of U.S. colleges and universities, according to the report . Fayetteville State University and Western Carolina University are recognized for their affordability, with annual out-of-state tuition costs of $6,262 and $8,532, respectively, the report said.

"Fayetteville State University is a NC Promise Institution which places our undergraduate tuition at $500 a semester for in-state students and $2,500 a semester for out-of-state students," said Devon Smith, spokesperson for FSU. "While FSU was one of the most affordable options in the nation previously, our affordability is amplified with the generous support by the state legislature through NC Promise."

NC Promise is a program established by the North Carolina General Assembly to make higher education more affordable for in-state and out-of-state students. Launched in 2018, the program aims to significantly reduce undergraduate tuition costs at select North Carolina universities, with state legislature approving a $51 million college affordability initiative the same year, according to a news release .

Fayetteville State University on its tuition

Smith said affordability is a key factor in measuring how many students continue their academic journey from term to term until they achieve their educational goals.

"We strive to keep all student costs low beyond tuition, including fees and room and board," he said by email Thursday. "FSU also rigorously evaluates the need for increasing fees and room and board costs with faculty, staff, and students. Only increases that add value to the student experience are considered."

Smith said 81% of FSU students use financial aid and the university offers a variety of scholarships to assist with educational expenses, emphasizing that the scholarships are essentially "free money that does not need to be repaid."

Most affordable U.S. colleges

The report ranked the schools by affordability. The totals don't include room, board and other expenses like textbooks.

Reporter Lizmary Evans covers growth and development for The Fayetteville Observer. You can reach her at LEvans@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville State University is among two North Carolina schools ranked most affordable