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

4 Colleges in the United States
$25,840 Avg Student Debt
$60,712 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Engineering Badge [General Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/other-general-engineering/) 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.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general engineering schools.

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2026 Best Value General Engineering Schools in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Engineering Schools

1

Western Carolina University tops our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools in North Carolina. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $25,550. General Engineering graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $62,244 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Set in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the general engineering program here. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $73,410. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

3

East Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $26,978. Early-career general engineering graduates make about $65,758. Set against $26,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.

4

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $30,518. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $93,349. That is a strong return on a $30,518 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

5
Campbell University crest
Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Campbell University earned it the #5 place for general engineering. Set in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,600. Typical student debt for general engineering graduates is $23,641. General Engineering graduates of Campbell University earn a median of $54,629 early in their careers. Set against $23,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Campbell University admits about 87% of applicants.

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6
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University landed the #6 spot for general engineering value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. General Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 22%.

7

Elon University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,958. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete the general engineering program here. General Engineering graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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