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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in North Carolina

15 Colleges in the United States
$22,172 Avg Student Debt
$49,612 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Educational Administration Badge [Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 46 schools to find the best return on investment for educational administration students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in educational administration, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Educational Administration Schools

1

Central Piedmont Community College earned the #1 spot for value among educational administration 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in educational administration will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $16,909. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Stanly Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Educational Administration graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.

4

Students looking for strong value in educational administration will find it at Johnston Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.

5

A rank of #5 makes Haywood Community College one of the best values for educational administration. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $35,767.

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6

Fayetteville State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $27,869. Educational Administration graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $63,764 early in their careers. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #7 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $64,928. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #8 among the best values for educational administration. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $67,864. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

9

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #9 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,977. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $75,462. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

10

Western Carolina University earned the #10 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $66,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

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11

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #11 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,673. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $67,597. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

12

North Carolina A And T State University came in at #12 for value in educational administration this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $29,078. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $54,600. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

13

Appalachian State University landed the #13 spot for educational administration value this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $21,992. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $69,507. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

14

North Carolina Central University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $65,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

15

East Carolina University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $76,032 early in their careers. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

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North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #16 position for value in educational administration this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $78,549. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

17

Alamance Community College earned the #17 position for value in educational administration this year. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $37,585 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #18 for value in educational administration this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $23,013. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $69,402. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

19
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University earned the #19 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,576. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $82,174 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,556 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

20
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $54,629. That is a strong return on a $23,641 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

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Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University came in at #21 for value in educational administration this year. Located in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,750. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $70,840 early in their careers. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.

22

Queens University Of Charlotte came in at #22 for value in educational administration this year. Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $45,846. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $27,245. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $62,292. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Queens University Of Charlotte admits about 62% of applicants.

23
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University placed #23 among the best values for educational administration. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,312. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,785 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

24

Elon University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value educational administration schools. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $50,463. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 46 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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