2027 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in North Carolina
[Engineering Technologies](/majors/engineering-technologies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for engineering technologies students.
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2027 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in engineering technologies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
Our analysis ranked Wilkes Community College the best value for a degree in engineering technologies in North Carolina. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $36,341. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Johnston Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $37,472. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Wayne Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $5,500. Engineering Technologies graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Piedmont Community College one of the best values for engineering technologies. Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Roxboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,556, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $11,000. Engineering Technologies graduates of Piedmont Community College earn a median of $68,517 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College earned the #6 position for value in engineering technologies this year. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $35,264. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #7 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Craven Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $14,833. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $43,272. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Sandhills Community College came in at #10 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $9,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Sandhills Community College generally make around $46,492. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #11 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #12 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College earned the #13 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alamance Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $6,625. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $37,585. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock came in at #15 for value in engineering technologies this year. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,804 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $16,252. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $42,443. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.
Elizabeth City State University came in at #16 for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $28,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Western Piedmont Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Morganton. Students from in state pay about $2,650 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,794. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $11,999 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $46,883. Set against $11,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gaston College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the engineering technologies program here. Engineering Technologies graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #19 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,540, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mitchell Community College earned the #20 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,651, with out-of-state students paying around $8,795. Typical student debt for engineering technologies graduates is $6,313. Engineering Technologies graduates of Mitchell Community College earn a median of $40,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Piedmont Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering technologies schools. Set in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $10,098 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $39,321. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #22 spot for engineering technologies value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $16,374 in student loans. Early-career engineering technologies graduates make about $38,094. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.
Randolph Community College placed #23 among the best values for engineering technologies. Located in the town of Asheboro, Randolph Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,416, with out-of-state students paying around $8,176. Soon after graduation, engineering technologies degree recipients from Randolph Community College generally make around $32,198.
Pitt Community College placed #24 among the best values for engineering technologies. Set in the suburb of Winterville, Pitt Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,871, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $19,741 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,741 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #25 position for value in engineering technologies this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,254 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Engineering Technologies graduates carry a median of $21,581 in student loans. Engineering Technologies graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Engineering Technologies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s engineering technologies value ranking:
More Engineering Technologies Rankings
View All Engineering Technologies 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
