2026 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina

1

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for education in North Carolina. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $23,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Durham Technical Community College
Durham, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Durham Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for education. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,522 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $33,260. That is a strong return on a $25,522 median debt.

3

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Wilkes Community College, which ranked #3. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

South Piedmont Community College
Polkton, NC

South Piedmont Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,200. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $31,111. Set against $8,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Cleveland Community College
Shelby, NC

Cleveland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.

6

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,653. Early-career education graduates make about $40,584. Set against $24,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College came in at #7 for value in education this year. 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 education graduates is $10,266. Early-career education graduates make about $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

James Sprunt Community College
Kenansville, NC

James Sprunt Community College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,278. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $26,775. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career education graduates make about $32,147.

10

Haywood Community College
Clyde, NC

Haywood Community College earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $28,013.

11

Sampson Community College
Clinton, NC

Sampson Community College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,490. Education graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC

Rowan Cabarrus Community College placed #13 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $24,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.

14

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Wayne Community College landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $33,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Southeastern Community College Whiteville
Whiteville, NC

Southeastern Community College Whiteville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Whiteville, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,600, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Students borrow a median of $10,188 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $65,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Craven Community College
New Bern, NC

Craven Community College landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Education graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Education graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Lenoir Community College
Kinston, NC

Lenoir Community College earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,984. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $27,534. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Vance Granville Community College
Henderson, NC

Vance Granville Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $43,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Surry Community College
Dobson, NC

Surry Community College earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Southwestern Community College Sylva
Sylva, NC

Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Beaufort County Community College
Washington, NC

Beaufort County Community College came in at #21 for value in education this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

College Of The Albemarle
Elizabeth City, NC

College Of The Albemarle earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,240 median debt.

23

Western Piedmont Community College
Morganton, NC

Western Piedmont Community College earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Morganton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,650, compared with $8,794 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,999 in student loans. Education graduates of Western Piedmont Community College earn a median of $46,883 early in their careers. Set against $11,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC

Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $19,719 in student loans. Education graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $26,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.