2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in North Carolina
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong elementary education education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 57 schools to find the best return on investment for elementary education students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Central Piedmont Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools in North Carolina. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $23,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,653. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $24,653 median debt.
Cleveland Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $7,131. Elementary Education graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at James Sprunt Community College, which ranked #4. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $26,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #6 position for value in elementary education this year. 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. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $13,640 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Isothermal Community College landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,030, compared with $6,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $6,625. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $47,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #8 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,000. Elementary Education graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $44,447 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,250. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Wilson Community College came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $15,846 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Wilson Community College earn a median of $47,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mcdowell Technical Community College earned the #11 position for value in elementary education this year. Mcdowell Technical Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Marion. In-state tuition and fees average $2,032, while out-of-state students pay about $6,640. Elementary Education graduates of Mcdowell Technical Community College earn a median of $56,733 early in their careers.
Western Carolina University placed #12 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,714. Elementary Education graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $40,594 early in their careers. Set against $24,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University earned the #13 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $30,087. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $42,080. That is a strong return on a $30,087 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $48,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earned the #15 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,660, compared with $8,804 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $16,252. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock generally make around $42,443. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #16 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,763. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,528. Set against $24,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Elizabeth City State University earned the #17 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
Appalachian State University landed the #18 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $41,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University earned the #19 position for value in elementary education this year. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Students borrow a median of $31,880 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $46,773 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
East Carolina University came in at #20 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,625. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #21 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $44,877 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University earned the #22 position for value in elementary education this year. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $30,000. Elementary Education graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $43,077 early in their careers. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Chowan University came in at #23 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the rural area of Murfreesboro, Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,910. Students borrow a median of $32,131 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $30,165. Set against $32,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Catawba College came in at #24 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $20,655. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $38,071. That is a strong return on a $20,655 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Olive College placed #25 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Students borrow a median of $35,963 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $41,036 early in their careers. Set against $35,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s elementary education value ranking:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
