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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Education Schools in North Carolina

28 Colleges in the United States
9,691 Education Degrees Awarded
$42,285 Avg Early-Career Salary

Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 108 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Education in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall education education in North Carolina.

Top Schools in Education

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for education. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. About 79 education degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $55,608. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete this degree. Get the full education details for Duke University

2

A rank of #2 makes Elon University one of the top schools for education. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 67 education degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Education graduates of Elon University earn a median of $47,095 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Get the full education details for Elon University

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 248 education degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $42,584. Typical student debt for the program is $13,640. Get the full education details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4
High Point University crest
High Point University
High Point, NC

A rank of #4 makes High Point University one of the top schools for education. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of High Point. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. High Point University awarded about 214 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $113,352 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,500. Get the full education details for High Point University

5

North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 516 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $52,979 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,582 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

6

East Carolina University came in at #6 for education this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 664 education students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from East Carolina University earn around $50,132 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,832. More information about a degree in education from East Carolina University

7

Appalachian State University came in at #7 for education this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 745 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $45,357 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,161 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in education from Appalachian State University

8

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #8 among the best education schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 991 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $49,273 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $25,909 in student loans. Read more about the education program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

9

Queens University Of Charlotte earned the #9 position for education this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Queens University Of Charlotte graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 education students who graduated with this degree at Queens University Of Charlotte in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $62,292 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,245. See the full education program report for Queens University Of Charlotte

10

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #10 position for education this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. There were roughly 290 education students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $46,858 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,737. See the full education program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

11
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University placed #11 among the best education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Wake Forest University awarded about 137 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $45,173 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for Wake Forest University

12

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #12 spot for education this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. About 636 education degrees were awarded at Central Piedmont Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Central Piedmont Community College earn around $23,865 in the first couple years of their career. Central Piedmont Community College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Central Piedmont Community College

13
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 83 education degrees were awarded at Campbell University in the most recent year. Education graduates of Campbell University earn a median of $41,994 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,509 to complete this degree. Read more about the education program at Campbell University

14

Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #14 for education this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 124 education degrees were awarded at Rowan Cabarrus Community College in the most recent year. Education graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $24,323 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for Rowan Cabarrus Community College

15

South Piedmont Community College came in at #15 for education this year. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 36 education students who graduated with this degree at South Piedmont Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $31,111 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,200 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in education from South Piedmont Community College

16

Western Carolina University came in at #16 for education this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 357 education degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Western Carolina University earn around $43,239 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,594. See the full education program report for Western Carolina University

17
Greensboro College crest
Greensboro College
Greensboro, NC

Greensboro College earned the #17 position for education this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, Greensboro College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Greensboro College awarded about 55 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Greensboro College generally make around $43,963. Students borrow a median of $47,745 to complete this degree. See the full education program report for Greensboro College

18

Stanly Community College placed #18 among the best education schools. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Stanly Community College awarded about 121 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $32,147 early in their careers. More information about a degree in education from Stanly Community College

19

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #19 among the best education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Greensboro. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. About 405 education degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $46,156. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro graduates carry a median of $25,470 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro

20

Forsyth Technical Community College placed #20 among the best education schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 134 education students who graduated with this degree at Forsyth Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $26,572. Forsyth Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $19,719 in student loans. Get the full education details for Forsyth Technical Community College

21
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 234 education degrees were awarded at Gardner Webb University in the most recent year. Graduates of the education program make about $63,565 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in education from Gardner Webb University

22

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best education schools. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 341 education degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke in the most recent year. Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $48,323 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke graduates carry a median of $26,252 in student loans. Read more about the education program at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke

23

Durham Technical Community College came in at #23 for education this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. About 42 education degrees were awarded at Durham Technical Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Durham Technical Community College earn around $33,260 in the first couple years of their career. Durham Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $25,522 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Durham Technical Community College

24

Lenoir Community College landed the #24 spot for education this year. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 27 education students who graduated with this degree at Lenoir Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $27,534. Lenoir Community College graduates carry a median of $9,984 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Lenoir Community College

25
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University came in at #25 for education this year. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 46% of students finish within six years. Wingate University awarded about 64 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $54,344 in their early career. Wingate University graduates carry a median of $26,532 in student loans. More information about a degree in education from Wingate University

Rest of the Top 50 Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong education education:

26
27
28
29
Guilford College crest
Guilford College
Greensboro, NC
30
31
32
33
Lees Mcrae College crest
Lees Mcrae College
Banner Elk, NC
34
35
36
Barton College crest
Barton College
Wilson, NC
37
38
39
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC
40
41
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC
42
43
Catawba College crest
Catawba College
Salisbury, NC
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 108 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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