2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Central Piedmont Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in North Carolina. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,104 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $24,056. That is a strong return on a $7,104 median debt.
Wilkes Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,681. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Durham Technical Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,321 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $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 general studies. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $30,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $19,606. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,037. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $36,276 early in their careers. Set against $12,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. 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, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,131. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $23,055 early in their careers. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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 landed the #9 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $26,028 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $28,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $28,120.
South Piedmont Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Polkton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $10,513. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value 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 $7,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $28,745 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James Sprunt Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,278. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Vance Granville Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $34,109. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Martin Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $42,820.
Surry Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $24,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,719. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,726. That is a strong return on a $8,719 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $25,973. That is a strong return on a $8,500 median debt.
Nash Community College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $26,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haywood Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Haywood Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clyde. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $20,365.
Lenoir Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,118 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $33,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,118 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,481. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $28,261 early in their careers. Set against $7,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $30,056. Set against $8,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies 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, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $7,947. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 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.
