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2026 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina

[Engineering Technology](/majors/engineering-technologies/general-engineering-technology/engineering-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering technology students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina

2026 Best Value Engineering Technology Schools in North Carolina

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering technology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Engineering Technology Schools

1

Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, NC

$2,572 In-State Tuition & Fees

$9,125 Avg Student Debt

$34,728 Median Earnings (10yr)

Wilkes Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value engineering technology schools in North Carolina. 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. Engineering Technology graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Engineering Technology graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

$4,630 In-State Tuition & Fees

$25,250 Avg Student Debt

$49,458 Median Earnings (10yr)

Western Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in engineering technology, landing the #2 spot this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for engineering technology graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, engineering technology degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $59,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

View All Engineering Technology Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.