2026 Best Value Engineering Schools in North Carolina

1

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Our analysis ranked Central Piedmont Community College the best value for a degree in engineering in North Carolina. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Engineering graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Engineering 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.

2

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Central Carolina Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,266. Engineering graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Johnston Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.

4

Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Gaston College, which ranked #4. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $10,915. Engineering graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC

Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Cape Fear Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $12,388. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.

6

Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC

Forsyth Technical Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.

7

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

Wake Technical Community College came in at #7 for value in engineering this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,862. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University placed #8 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $29,926. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $75,010. That is a strong return on a $29,926 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

9

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #9 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $70,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

10

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University came in at #10 for value in engineering this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $29,038. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $65,210. Set against $29,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

11

University Of North Carolina At Asheville
Asheville, NC

University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #11 among the best values for engineering. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $31,000. Early-career engineering graduates make about $73,410. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.

12

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #12 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $70,913. That is a strong return on a $23,414 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

13

Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC

Guilford Technical Community College earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $36,124. That is a strong return on a $20,501 median debt.

14

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #14 spot for engineering value 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. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $24,572. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $87,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.

15

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University came in at #15 for value in engineering 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. Students borrow a median of $26,978 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $65,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,013 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $46,164. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

17

Campbell University
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,641. Early-career engineering graduates make about $54,629. Set against $23,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

18

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University earned the #18 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 22%.

19

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value engineering schools. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,216 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $108,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

20

Elon University
Elon, NC

Elon University landed the #20 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $21,619. Engineering graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. Set against $21,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Elon University admits about 66% of applicants.