2026 Best Value Health Professions 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 health professions in North Carolina. 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. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,484 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $57,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Durham Technical Community College
Durham, NC

A rank of #2 makes Durham Technical Community College one of the best values for health professions. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $25,820 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $60,187. That is a strong return on a $25,820 median debt.

3

Stanly Community College
Albemarle, NC

Stanly Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career health professions graduates make about $55,922.

4

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #4 place for health professions. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $62,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $13,167 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $49,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College earned the #6 position for value in health professions this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $13,500. Early-career health professions graduates make about $48,046. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.

7

Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #7 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,665 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $39,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Sampson Community College
Clinton, NC

Sampson Community College earned the #8 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $68,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Cleveland Community College
Shelby, NC

Cleveland Community College placed #9 among the best values for health professions. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $64,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.

10

South Piedmont Community College
Polkton, NC

South Piedmont Community College placed #10 among the best values for health professions. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,098 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $67,158. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Martin Community College
Williamston, NC

Martin Community College placed #11 among the best values for health professions. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Early-career health professions graduates make about $42,820.

12

Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, NC

Rockingham Community College came in at #12 for value in health professions this year. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. Students from in state pay about $1,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $5,500. Health Professions graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $60,393 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Nash Community College
Rocky Mount, NC

Nash Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $20,836. Early-career health professions graduates make about $58,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, NC

Wayne Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $5,500. Health Professions graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $61,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, NC

Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #15 spot for health professions value this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $12,063. Early-career health professions graduates make about $53,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Halifax Community College
Weldon, NC

Halifax Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,752. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Halifax Community College generally make around $70,982.

17

Haywood Community College
Clyde, NC

Haywood Community College came in at #17 for value in health professions this year. Haywood Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clyde. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $58,923 early in their careers.

18

James Sprunt Community College
Kenansville, NC

James Sprunt Community College placed #18 among the best values for health professions. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $11,278. Health Professions graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $65,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Vance Granville Community College
Henderson, NC

Vance Granville Community College landed the #19 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $14,833. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $44,430. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.

20

Southwestern Community College Sylva
Sylva, NC

Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #20 among the best values for health professions. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,565 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $54,132. Set against $13,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Craven Community College
New Bern, NC

Craven Community College landed the #21 spot for health professions value this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $10,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $39,021. That is a strong return on a $10,349 median debt.

22

Surry Community College
Dobson, NC

Surry Community College came in at #22 for value in health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Students borrow a median of $13,574 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $69,740. That is a strong return on a $13,574 median debt.

23

Southeastern Community College Whiteville
Whiteville, NC

Southeastern Community College Whiteville came in at #23 for value in health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Whiteville, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,744. Students borrow a median of $10,188 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Southeastern Community College Whiteville earn a median of $65,328 early in their careers. Set against $10,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Lenoir Community College
Kinston, NC

Lenoir Community College earned the #24 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Students borrow a median of $10,417 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $55,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,417 median debt.

25

Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College came in at #25 for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $12,762 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $63,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.