2026 Best Value Child development Schools in North Carolina

1

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Our analysis ranked Fayetteville Technical Community College the best value for a degree in child development in North Carolina. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.

2

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

A rank of #2 makes Johnston Community College one of the best values for child development. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.

3

Haywood Community College
Clyde, NC

Haywood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $35,767.

4

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wayne Community College earned it the #4 place for child development. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

5

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in child development, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Child Development graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.

6

James Sprunt Community College
Kenansville, NC

James Sprunt Community College placed #6 among the best values for child development. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $11,278. Child Development graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $35,264 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.

7

Craven Community College
New Bern, NC

Craven Community College earned the #7 position for value in child development this year. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Students borrow a median of $8,924 to complete the child development program here. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC

Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #8 spot for child development value this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $10,867. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $34,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Vance Granville Community College
Henderson, NC

Vance Granville Community College landed the #9 spot for child development value this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $43,272. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Robeson Community College
Lumberton, NC

Robeson Community College placed #10 among the best values for child development. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $52,951 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.

11

Richmond Community College
Hamlet, NC

Richmond Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,956, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Students borrow a median of $8,407 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $46,757. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Isothermal Community College
Spindale, NC

Isothermal Community College landed the #12 spot for child development value this year. Set in the town of Spindale, Isothermal Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,030, compared with $6,638 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Isothermal Community College generally make around $47,389. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.

13

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

Wake Technical Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $20,783. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College generally make around $38,673. Set against $20,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Randolph Community College
Asheboro, NC

Randolph Community College placed #14 among the best values for child development. Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Asheboro. Students from in state pay about $2,416 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,176. Child Development graduates of Randolph Community College earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers.

15

Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock
Flat Rock, NC

Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock landed the #15 spot for child development value this year. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,660, compared with $8,804 for out-of-state students. Child Development graduates carry a median of $16,252 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $42,443. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.

16

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University came in at #16 for value in child development this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for child development graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, child development degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $37,458. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

17

Alamance Community College
Graham, NC

Alamance Community College placed #17 among the best values for child development. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the child development program here. Early-career child development graduates make about $37,585. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.

18

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University came in at #18 for value in child development this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $30,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.

19

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value child development schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the child development program here. Child Development graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $29,607 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

20

Meredith College
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College landed the #20 spot for child development value this year. Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,630. Child Development graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career child development graduates make about $40,537. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.