2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in North Carolina
[General Business Administration and Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/business-administration-and-management-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general business administration and management education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 116 schools to find the best return on investment for general business administration and management students.
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2026 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general business administration and management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
For return on investment in general business administration and management, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $8,886. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $36,962. Set against $8,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Piedmont Community College earned it the #3 place for general business administration and management. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $10,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,686. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general business administration and management, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $10,266. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #6 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $14,789. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $34,617. That is a strong return on a $14,789 median debt.
Stanly Community College landed the #7 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
Johnston Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $26,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Wayne Community College earned the #9 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $17,571 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College came in at #10 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $12,596. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College landed the #11 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $14,833. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $38,146. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Haywood Community College earned the #13 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $35,767 early in their careers.
James Sprunt Community College came in at #14 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $23,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College earned the #15 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. General Business Administration And Management graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville landed the #16 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public school located in the rural area of Whiteville. Students from in state pay about $2,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Students borrow a median of $10,188 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Southeastern Community College Whiteville generally make around $65,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College came in at #17 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,969 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $45,512. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College came in at #18 for value in general business administration and management this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $9,984. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $33,197. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Beaufort County Community College earned the #19 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #20 position for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. General Business Administration And Management graduates carry a median of $16,312 in student loans. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $31,031. Set against $16,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College came in at #21 for value in general business administration and management this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $10,915. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $36,747. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #22 spot for general business administration and management value this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,253 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $26,859. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Halifax Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general business administration and management schools. Located in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,608 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,752. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from Halifax Community College generally make around $70,982.
College Of The Albemarle placed #24 among the best values for general business administration and management. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the general business administration and management program here. Soon after graduation, general business administration and management degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $50,506. That is a strong return on a $10,240 median debt.
Surry Community College came in at #25 for value in general business administration and management this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general business administration and management graduates is $9,537. Early-career general business administration and management graduates make about $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Business Administration and Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general business administration and management value ranking:
More General Business Administration and Management Rankings
View All General Business Administration and Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 116 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 63 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
