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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Instructional Media Design Schools in North Carolina

8 Colleges in the United States
$22,708 Avg Student Debt
$57,049 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Instructional Media Design Badge [Instructional Media Design](/majors/education/instructional-media-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong instructional media design education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for instructional media design students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Instructional Media Design Schools in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in instructional media design, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Instructional Media Design Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, our #1 best value for instructional media design in North Carolina. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $42,595. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for instructional media design. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

3

Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $24,673. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $64,530 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

4

Appalachian State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value instructional media design schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Instructional Media Design graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $42,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in instructional media design will find it at East Carolina University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $58,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

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6

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #6 for value in instructional media design this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for instructional media design graduates is $22,113. Early-career instructional media design graduates make about $60,244. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #7 among the best values for instructional media design. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete the instructional media design program here. Instructional Media Design graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $46,164 early in their careers. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.

8
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University came in at #8 for value in instructional media design this year. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,750. Students borrow a median of $25,033 to complete the instructional media design program here. Soon after graduation, instructional media design degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $52,313. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 12 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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