2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 81 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. 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, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,104 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $24,056. That is a strong return on a $7,104 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $25,681. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Durham Technical Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $23,876. Set against $11,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rockingham Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,865. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Central Carolina Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $19,606 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $12,037. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $36,276. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,055. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,812. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $25,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts 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 liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sampson Community College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $28,489. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $28,120.
South Piedmont Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. 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, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $10,513. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $25,999 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Craven Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $28,745 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Martin Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,523 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,667 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates of Martin Community College earn a median of $42,820 early in their careers.
Vance Granville Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $34,109 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,635. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,719 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $27,726 early in their careers. Set against $8,719 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haywood Community College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $20,365.
Nash Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts value this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $26,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Students borrow a median of $8,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $25,973. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Halifax Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Halifax Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Weldon. Students from in state pay about $2,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,752. Liberal Arts graduates of Halifax Community College earn a median of $70,982 early in their careers.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #23 spot for liberal arts value this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,481. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $28,261. Set against $7,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,118 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $33,374 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,947. Liberal Arts graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. Set against $7,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
