Fee structure
The University of North Carolina Board of Governors has delegated to the UNC System Office the authority to set application and renewal fees for non-public and out-of-state institutions to conduct degree-granting postsecondary activity. Until superseded, the fee structure adopted in October 2006 remains in effect. Therefore, application and yearly renewal fees are as follows:
Application Fees
Application fee for an institution’s first application for licensure: $5,000
For institutions applying to offer academic programs in North Carolina, this fee includes up to four degree programs at the associate or bachelor’s levels, two degree programs at the master’s level, or one degree program at the doctoral level. Institutions whose first application for licensure includes degree programs beyond those limits will pay the additional application fees listed below.
Application fees for institutions adding academic programs after initial licensure or whose first application for licensure contains additional programs:
| Degree Level | Fee |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree | $1,000 |
| Bachelor’s degree | $1,500 |
| Master’s degree | $2,000 |
| Doctoral/Professional degree | $3,000 |
| Other postsecondary credit-bearing credential | $500 |
Please be advised that a 10% administrative fee is assessed on all invoices issued for new applications and annual fees.
Annual Fees
If an institution has been issued a regular license or an interim permit to offer academic programs in North Carolina, its annual fees are as follows:
| Number of Programs | Fee |
|---|---|
| 1-5 programs | $4,000 |
| 6-10 programs | $6,000 |
| 11-15 programs | $8,000 |
| 16-20 programs | $10,000 |
| 21-25 programs | $12,000 |
| 26-30 programs | $14,000 |
| Over 30 programs | $16,000 |
If an institution is licensed only to operate an administrative campus in North Carolina, its annual fees are:
| Number of Programs | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 1000 North Carolina residents enrolled | $5,000 |
| More than 1000 North Carolina residents enrolled | $10,000 |
When an institution has a campus and additional learning sites or annexes within North Carolina, that institution will be assessed an additional $1,000 annual fee for each such site.
Annual fees are due at the time the institution files its annual report. Assess annual fees for regular licenses and interim permits based upon the maximum number of programs the institution offers or has offered in North Carolina in the current academic year.
Please be advised that a 10% administrative fee is assessed on all invoices issued for new applications and annual fees.