SEE CORRECTION AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE. A report in Forbes shows that the average cost of child care in North Carolina is higher than attending public college. Citing Child Care Aware of America, North Carolinians pay an average of $9,107 annually on center-based day care.ere's a comparative analysis of tuitions at some local public institutions, excluding costs for fees and books. In North Carolina, tuition for community colleges is set by the General Assembly. The most recent rates – effective July 1, 2014 – show that a term of 16 credit hours costs in-state students $1,152.