2026 Best Value Value Schools in North Carolina
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in value in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $66,534. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #2 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for value. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Value graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $54,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $27,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $46,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned it the #4 place for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $48,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $59,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University placed #6 among the best values for value. 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. Value graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $46,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. Value graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $51,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #8 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,747. Value graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $51,393. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,013 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $50,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Gardner Webb University placed #11 among the best values for value. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Value graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Value graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gardner Webb University admits about 77% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
