2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina
[Architectural Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/architectural-engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong architectural engineering technology education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for architectural engineering technology students.
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2026 Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in architectural engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Architectural Engineering Technology Schools
Wilkes Community College earned the #1 spot for value among architectural engineering technology schools in North Carolina. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $9,125. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in architectural engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $11,861. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in architectural engineering technology will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $16,909. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Forsyth Technical Community College one of the best values for architectural engineering technology. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $16,374. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $38,094. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wake Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for architectural engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Students borrow a median of $17,900 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Early-career architectural engineering technology graduates make about $38,673. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pitt Community College placed #6 among the best values for architectural engineering technology. Located in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,871 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,087. Students borrow a median of $19,741 to complete the architectural engineering technology program here. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Pitt Community College generally make around $43,022. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Carolina Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value architectural engineering technology schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,512, with out-of-state students paying around $8,656. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $7,125 in student loans. Architectural Engineering Technology graduates of Coastal Carolina Community College earn a median of $37,831 early in their careers. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sandhills Community College came in at #8 for value in architectural engineering technology this year. Sandhills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Typical student debt for architectural engineering technology graduates is $9,238. Soon after graduation, architectural engineering technology degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. That is a strong return on a $9,238 median debt.
More Architectural Engineering Technology Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
