2026 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 best value for education in North Carolina. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $23,865. 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 #2 place for education. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $25,522 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $33,260. That is a strong return on a $25,522 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Wilkes Community College, which ranked #3. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Piedmont Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. 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. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,200. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from South Piedmont Community College generally make around $31,111. Set against $8,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. 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 education program here. Education graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,653. Early-career education graduates make about $40,584. Set against $24,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #7 for value in education this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for education graduates is $10,266. Early-career education graduates make about $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College earned the #8 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,278. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $26,775. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career education graduates make about $32,147.
Haywood Community College earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $28,013.
Sampson Community College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,929. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 education graduates is $9,490. Education graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College placed #13 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Rowan Cabarrus Community College earn a median of $24,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Wayne Community College landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $33,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Whiteville, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,600, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Students borrow a median of $10,188 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $65,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College landed the #16 spot for education 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Education graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Education graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College earned the #17 position for value in education 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. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,984. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $27,534. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. 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 education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $43,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College came in at #21 for value in education this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Albemarle earned the #22 position for value in education this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,240 median debt.
Western Piedmont Community College earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Morganton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,650, compared with $8,794 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,999 in student loans. Education graduates of Western Piedmont Community College earn a median of $46,883 early in their careers. Set against $11,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $19,719 in student loans. Education graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $26,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
