2026 Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools in North Carolina
[Business Administration & Management](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 117 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for business administration & management students.
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2026 Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business administration & management, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #1 spot for value among business administration & management schools in North Carolina. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $8,886 in student loans. Business Administration & Management graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $36,962 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in business administration & management, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $10,098. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $40,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Durham Technical Community College earned it the #3 place for business administration & management. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Business Administration & Management graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Wilkes Community College one of the best values for business administration & management. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the business administration & management program here. Business Administration & Management graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $14,789. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $34,617. Set against $14,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Business Administration & Management graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Johnston Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $9,490. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $26,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College earned the #9 position for value in business administration & management this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $17,571. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Sampson Community College landed the #10 spot for business administration & management value this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the business administration & management program here. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College came in at #11 for value in business administration & management this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the business administration & management program here. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #12 for value in business administration & management this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $38,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haywood Community College earned the #13 position for value in business administration & management this year. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $35,767.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #14 spot for business administration & management value this year. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the business administration & management program here. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $23,171. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Craven Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value business administration & management schools. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $8,924. Business Administration & 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 placed #16 among the best values for business administration & management. Set in the rural area of Whiteville, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,600, with out-of-state students paying around $8,744. Students borrow a median of $10,188 to complete the business administration & management program here. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Southeastern Community College Whiteville generally make around $65,328. Set against $10,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College earned the #17 position for value in business administration & management this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $45,512. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.
Lenoir Community College placed #18 among the best values for business administration & management. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $9,984. Business Administration & Management graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $33,197 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #19 spot for business administration & management value this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #20 position for value in business administration & management this year. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $16,312 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business administration & management degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $31,031. That is a strong return on a $16,312 median debt.
Gaston College came in at #21 for value in business administration & management this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Typical student debt for business administration & management graduates is $10,915. Business Administration & Management graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $36,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #22 position for value in business administration & management this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $10,253 in student loans. Soon after graduation, business administration & 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 landed the #23 spot for business administration & management value this year. Set in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,608, while out-of-state students pay about $8,752. Business Administration & Management graduates of Halifax Community College earn a median of $70,982 early in their careers.
College Of The Albemarle placed #24 among the best values for business administration & management. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. Business Administration & Management graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College earned the #25 position for value in business administration & management this year. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Business Administration & Management graduates carry a median of $9,537 in student loans. Early-career business administration & management graduates make about $47,188. That is a strong return on a $9,537 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business Administration & Management Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s business administration & management value ranking:
More Business Administration & Management Rankings
View All Business Administration & Management Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 117 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.
