2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in North Carolina
[Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 35 schools to find the best return on investment for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
Central Piedmont Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools in North Carolina. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $23,865 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville Technical Community College earned it the #4 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. 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 kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $24,653. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Set against $24,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanly Community College earned it the #5 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $32,147 early in their careers.
Haywood Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $28,013.
Johnston Community College came in at #7 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. 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 kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $9,490. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching 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.
Lenoir Community College placed #8 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $9,984. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $27,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #9 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $13,708. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,708 median debt.
Western Piedmont Community College landed the #10 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the city of Morganton, Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,650 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,999 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $46,883. Set against $11,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College landed the #11 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $52,951. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Isothermal Community College earned the #12 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,030, compared with $6,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Isothermal Community College generally make around $47,389. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College earned the #13 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,564. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $8,407. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. That is a strong return on a $8,407 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #14 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching 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, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $45,749. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock landed the #15 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,804. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $16,252. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $42,443. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #16 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $13,640. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $13,640 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Elizabeth City State University placed #17 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $26,992 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Bladen Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Bladen Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Dublin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,314, with out-of-state students paying around $7,690. Students borrow a median of $9,905 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Bladen Community College earn a median of $45,752 early in their careers. Set against $9,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Carolina University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $24,714 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $40,594. Set against $24,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #20 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching 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, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,763 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $45,528. Set against $24,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Winston Salem State University placed #21 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $43,077. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University earned the #22 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $31,880. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $46,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Alamance Community College earned the #23 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Alamance Community College generally make around $26,105. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Appalachian State University placed #24 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $41,144. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University earned the #25 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $23,625. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $45,356. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value ranking:
More Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Rankings
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
