2026 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in North Carolina
[Business, Management & Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong business, management & marketing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 118 schools to find the best return on investment for business, management & marketing students.
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2026 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in business, management & marketing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
Our analysis ranked Central Piedmont Community College the best value for a degree in business, management & marketing 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $8,886 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $37,253. That is a strong return on a $8,886 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place for business, management & marketing. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,098 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $40,686. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in business, management & marketing will find it at Durham Technical Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $20,408. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Wilkes Community College one of the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Central Carolina Community College one of the best values for business, management & marketing. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in business, management & marketing this year. 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. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,789 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $34,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College placed #7 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $41,920.
Johnston Community College landed the #8 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. 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, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $26,700 early in their careers. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne Community College earned the #9 position for value in business, management & marketing 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. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $18,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College came in at #10 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $45,929 early in their careers. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. 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, management & marketing program here. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College earned the #12 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $14,833. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $38,146. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Haywood Community College placed #13 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $35,767.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $23,171. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Craven Community College earned the #15 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville placed #16 among the best values for business, management & marketing. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $10,188 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Southeastern Community College Whiteville earn a median of $65,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College came in at #17 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $16,969. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College came in at #18 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Students borrow a median of $9,984 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $33,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Beaufort County Community College earned the #19 position for value in business, management & marketing 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, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $16,312 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $31,031 early in their careers. Set against $16,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College placed #21 among the best values for business, management & marketing. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $10,915. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $36,747. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College landed the #22 spot for business, management & marketing value this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Business, Management & Marketing graduates carry a median of $9,537 in student loans. Business, Management & Marketing graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #23 for value in business, management & marketing this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for business, management & marketing graduates is $10,253. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $26,859. Set against $10,253 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Halifax Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value business, management & marketing schools. Located in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,608, compared with $8,752 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, business, management & marketing degree recipients from Halifax Community College generally make around $70,982.
College Of The Albemarle earned the #25 position for value in business, management & marketing this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the business, management & marketing program here. Early-career business, management & marketing graduates make about $50,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Business, Management & Marketing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in business, management & marketing:
More Business, Management & Marketing Rankings
View All Business, Management & Marketing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 118 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
