2027 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong education education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value education schools.
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2027 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
For return on investment in education, no school beat Durham Technical Community College this year. 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. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,522. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $33,260. That is a strong return on a $25,522 median debt.
Wilkes Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Education graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Education graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $26,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Education graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #5 spot this year. Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Roxboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,556, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $68,517. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #6 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $23,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pamlico Community College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Set in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,712, with out-of-state students paying around $12,928. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,005.
Johnston Community College came in at #8 for value in education 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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College came in at #9 for value in education 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. Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $33,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,984. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $27,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Education graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. That is a strong return on a $8,924 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle came in at #12 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Education graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. Education graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edgecombe Community College landed the #13 spot for education value this year. Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tarboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $8,784. Education graduates carry a median of $25,703 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $22,259. That is a strong return on a $25,703 median debt.
Wilson Community College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,846 in student loans. Education graduates of Wilson Community College earn a median of $47,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College landed the #15 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Early-career education graduates make about $32,147.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,653. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #17 for value in education this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, compared with $6,552 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,833. Early-career education graduates make about $43,272. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College placed #18 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Education graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College placed #19 among the best values for education. 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, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,537. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sandhills Community College came in at #20 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,238 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $46,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alamance Community College landed the #21 spot for education value this year. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $26,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Education graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $36,418. That is a strong return on a $13,708 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #23 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Education graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Education graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,956, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. That is a strong return on a $8,407 median debt.
South Piedmont Community College came in at #25 for value in education this year. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,200. Education graduates of South Piedmont Community College earn a median of $31,111 early in their careers. Set against $8,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 77 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.
