2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in North Carolina
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 95 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in North Carolina. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $7,104 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $24,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,104 median debt.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. 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, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $25,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Durham Technical Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $11,321 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $23,876. That is a strong return on a $11,321 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rockingham Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,966, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $30,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $19,606 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,037. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $36,276 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,037 median debt.
Cleveland Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $23,055. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Johnston Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $25,872. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Wayne Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $26,028. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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 / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $28,489 early in their careers. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $28,120.
South Piedmont Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public university. 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 / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $10,513. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
James Sprunt Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $25,999. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $34,109 early in their careers. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Martin Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Martin Community College earn a median of $42,820 early in their careers.
Surry Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, with out-of-state students paying around $8,812. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,719 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $27,726. That is a strong return on a $8,719 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $26,973. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haywood Community College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $20,365.
Lenoir Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Students borrow a median of $9,118 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $33,374. That is a strong return on a $9,118 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle came in at #23 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,481. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,748, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,734. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $30,056 early in their careers. 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 / sciences & humanities 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. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 55 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.
