Campbell University in North Carolina has lowered its adult and online undergraduate tuition to $400 per credit hour, effective with the Summer 2026 session beginning May 18. The cut targets working adults, military-affiliated students, and non-traditional learners — at a time when most institutions are raising tuition 3 to 5 percent.

One School Going the Other Way

Most college tuition news this spring follows a familiar pattern: a board of governors meets, approves a 3 to 5 percent increase, and tuition goes up. See our roundup of college tuition increases for fall 2026 for the national picture.

Campbell University is doing something different.

The North Carolina university's Adult and Online Education division announced it would lower undergraduate tuition to $400 per credit hour, beginning with the Summer 2026 session starting May 18, 2026. The university described the move as "taking a decisive step in the opposite direction" on college costs.1

This cut applies specifically to Campbell's Adult and Online Education programs — not to on-campus full-time traditional students. But for working adults, military veterans, and non-traditional learners who make up a growing share of American college enrollment, this is a meaningful change.

Who This Is For

Campbell's Adult and Online Education programs are built for students whose lives don't fit a traditional four-year residential college model:

  • Working adults who need evening and weekend scheduling
  • Military-affiliated students using GI Bill benefits or tuition assistance programs
  • Returning students who started college and stopped, now completing a bachelor's degree
  • Career changers seeking credentials in fields like business, criminal justice, or health-related studies

These students face a persistent cost gap. Community colleges charge low per-credit rates but offer only associate's degrees. Four-year universities typically charge much more per credit — pricing out many part-time adult learners who can only take a course or two per semester.

At $400 per credit hour, a three-credit course at Campbell costs $1,200. A student taking two courses per semester pays $2,400 in tuition that term. That is in the range of what many community colleges charge — but toward a four-year bachelor's degree at a regionally accredited institution.

— Per credit hour for Adult & Online undergraduate programs, Summer 2026 forward

The Degree Value Equation

The gap between associate's and bachelor's degree holders in earnings is substantial and well-documented. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Education Pays research shows that bachelor's degree holders consistently earn significantly more over their careers than those with associate's degrees — making degree completion financially meaningful for most adult learners.2

The question for many working adults is not whether finishing a bachelor's degree is worth it. The question is whether they can afford to do it while working and supporting a family. High per-credit costs at traditional universities make this impossible for many.

Community college enrollment has surged in 2026 partly because adults are looking for affordable credentials. But community college leaves a gap: the bachelor's degree that employers and graduate programs increasingly require.

Campbell's $400/credit rate creates a path to close that gap at a full four-year institution.

If your employer offers tuition reimbursement — common at companies with 50 or more employees — check the annual cap. Many plans cover up to $5,250 per year tax-free under IRS Section 127. At $400 per credit hour, that employer benefit could cover 13 credit hours per year, or roughly one full academic year of part-time study.

What Campbell Is and Why It Matters

Campbell University is a private Christian liberal arts university founded in 1887, located in Buies Creek, North Carolina. It is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Regional accreditation matters for two reasons. First, federal financial aid — Pell Grants, subsidized loans, unsubsidized loans — flows to students at regionally accredited schools. Second, credits from regionally accredited institutions are generally transferable to other colleges and universities. This is not always true of nationally accredited institutions, some of which have limited transferability.

Campbell is not a for-profit institution, and it is not a lightly accredited online diploma operation. It is a recognized regional university that has operated for more than 130 years.

The Adult and Online Education division offers bachelor's degrees in fields including business administration, criminal justice, communication arts, and sports management, among others. Programs are designed to be completed flexibly — fully online — with no required on-campus components for adult learners.

How to Evaluate Whether This Fits Your Situation

Before enrolling in any adult or online program, ask these questions:

  1. Does the school's accreditation match your goals? If you plan to pursue a graduate degree or professional license later, verify that your target programs accept undergraduate degrees from SACSCOC-accredited institutions.
  2. What is the completion rate for adult learners in this program? Overall graduation rate data often reflects traditional students. Ask specifically about outcomes for part-time adult learners.
  3. What financial aid is available? Complete the FAFSA — even as an adult learner. Many returning students qualify for Pell Grants they never applied for.

For more on funding your return to college, see our guides to financial aid for adult students and paying for college as an adult. If you've been out of school for years, scholarships for adults over 30 lists programs specifically designed for returning students.

A low per-credit tuition rate is a good start — but always verify total cost of attendance. Ask about fees, textbook costs, and any required software or technology purchases. The all-in cost matters more than the headline rate.

Putting $400/Credit Hour in Context

For reference: the average cost of college per year at four-year private nonprofit universities is well above $40,000, with per-credit hour rates for online programs at similar institutions typically ranging from $500 to $1,000 or more.

Campbell's new rate is not the cheapest online option in existence — some public universities offer out-of-state online rates in a similar range. But for a private university with regional accreditation, a track record, and support services for adult learners, $400/credit hour is a competitive offer.

Whether this is the right fit depends on your field of study, career goals, and what other options are available to you. Explore best colleges for working adults for a broader comparison.

Next Steps

  • Visit aoe.campbell.edu to view available bachelor's programs and confirm available start dates
  • Complete the FAFSA for 2026-27 aid eligibility — adult learners frequently qualify for more aid than they expect
  • If military-affiliated, confirm GI Bill or tuition assistance compatibility with the specific program you want
  • Ask your HR department about any employer tuition reimbursement benefit
  • Request an official program completion plan that shows you exactly how many credits you need and how long completion will take at your expected enrollment pace

Footnotes

  1. Campbell University. (2026). Campbell Adult & Online Education lowers undergraduate tuition. Campbell University. https://news.campbell.edu/articles/campbell-adult-online-education-lowers-undergraduate-tuition/ ↩

  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025). Education pays, 2024. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm ↩