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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in North Carolina

6 Colleges in the United States
$14,221 Avg Student Debt
$39,327 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Badge [Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 68 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering technologies students.

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2026 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in North Carolina

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering technologies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools

1

Central Carolina Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools in North Carolina. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technologies, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,861. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.

3

Wilkes Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Cleveland Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

A rank of #5 makes Fayetteville Technical Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Johnston Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Wayne Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

South Piedmont Community College placed #8 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Students borrow a median of $10,098 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $39,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Craven Community College landed the #9 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Southeastern Community College Whiteville landed the #10 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the rural area of Whiteville, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,600, with out-of-state students paying around $8,744. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,188 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Southeastern Community College Whiteville earn a median of $65,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,188 median debt.

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Nash Community College crest
Nash Community College
Rocky Mount, NC

Nash Community College placed #11 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $45,512 early in their careers. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Vance Granville Community College landed the #12 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,272. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Surry Community College earned the #13 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $9,537. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #14 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $34,351. That is a strong return on a $10,867 median debt.

15

Beaufort County Community College came in at #15 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Mayland Community College placed #16 among the best values for engineering technologies. Mayland Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Spruce Pine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,626, with out-of-state students paying around $8,770. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Mayland Community College generally make around $17,144.

17

Western Piedmont Community College landed the #17 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Morganton. In-state tuition and fees average $2,650, with out-of-state students paying around $8,794. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,999 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Western Piedmont Community College earn a median of $46,883 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College placed #18 among the best values for engineering technologies. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Hudson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,528, compared with $6,528 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute generally make around $44,734. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #20 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. 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 engineering technologies graduates is $16,374. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $38,094. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.

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21

Isothermal Community College landed the #21 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Spindale. Students from in state pay about $2,030 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,638. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Isothermal Community College earn a median of $47,389 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Wake Technical Community College earned the #22 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $21,581 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $38,673. That is a strong return on a $21,581 median debt.

23
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, NC

Pitt Community College placed #23 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,871, while out-of-state students pay about $13,087. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $19,741. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,022. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Davidson County Community College earned the #24 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,980, compared with $6,588 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,693 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Davidson County Community College earn a median of $35,625 early in their careers. Set against $16,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Coastal Carolina Community College came in at #25 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,512, while out-of-state students pay about $8,656. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $7,125. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $37,831. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in engineering technologies:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 68 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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