2026 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in North Carolina
[Mathematics Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-and-development/mathematics-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for mathematics education students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Mathematics Education Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the mathematics education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Mathematics Education Schools
Our analysis ranked Western Carolina University the best value for a degree in mathematics education in North Carolina. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $41,444. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics education will find it at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,660 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $40,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value mathematics education schools. 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, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $24,673. Mathematics Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Carolina University earned it the #4 place for mathematics education. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the mathematics education program here. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $48,318. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in mathematics education will find it at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for mathematics education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, mathematics education degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $50,110. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Olive College placed #6 among the best values for mathematics education. Set in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,366. Mathematics Education graduates carry a median of $26,889 in student loans. Mathematics Education graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $45,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mount Olive College admits about 76% of applicants.
Campbell University placed #7 among the best values for mathematics education. Set in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,600. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete the mathematics education program here. Mathematics Education graduates of Campbell University earn a median of $54,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,641 median debt. Campbell University admits about 87% of applicants.
More Mathematics Education Rankings
View All Mathematics Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
