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2023 Best Value Colleges for Registered Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

73 Ranked Colleges
6,685 Degrees Awarded
$5,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 266,651 registered nursing students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country.

Across North Carolina, there were 6,685 registered nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 73 colleges that offer a degree in registered nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent registered nursing programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the registered nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Registered Nursing (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duke is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 147 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $371 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Duke University Registered Nursing Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

3
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Forsyth Technical Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. Forsyth Tech is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 115 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Forsyth Tech has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $4,731 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Forsyth Tech.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Forsyth Technical Community College

4
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina

Out of the 73 schools in the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Pitt Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Pitt Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Winterville, North Carolina. It awarded 113 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pitt Community College, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Pitt Community College is $3,728 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Pitt Community College

5
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Appalachian State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 152 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $7,354 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State Registered Nursing Report

6
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. ECU is a large school located in Greenville, North Carolina that handed out 423 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $11,260 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend ECU.

Read more about Registered Nursing at East Carolina University

7
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

With a ranking of #7, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is located in Salisbury, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 88 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is $2,068 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

8
Vance-Granville Community College crest
Vance-Granville Community College
Henderson, North Carolina

Vance-Granville Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Henderson, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 47 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Vance-Granville Community College is $3,176 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Vance-Granville Community College Registered Nursing Report

9
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fayetteville State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It awarded 220 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fayetteville State University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $5,366 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fayetteville State University.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Fayetteville State University

10
Richmond Community College crest
Richmond Community College
Hamlet, North Carolina

Richmond Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hamlet, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Richmond Community College is $4,050 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Richmond Community College Registered Nursing Report

10
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 102 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, Central Piedmont Community College has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Piedmont Community College is $5,676 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Central Piedmont Community College

12
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school handed out 68 diplomas to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FTCC, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Fayetteville Technical Community College is $2,883 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Fayetteville Technical Community College Registered Nursing Report

13

University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 218 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Greensboro also made our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend UNC Greensboro is $7,645 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at UNC Greensboro

14

University of North Carolina at Wilmington landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a public institution located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 782 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCW, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $11,710 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at University of North Carolina at Wilmington

15
Wayne Community College crest
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, North Carolina

With a ranking of #15, Wayne Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 38 degrees to qualified ’s registered nursing students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne Community College is $4,896 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Wayne Community College Registered Nursing Report

16
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 131 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Technical Community College, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $3,886 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wake Technical Community College.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Wake Technical Community College

17

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Hudson, North Carolina, and it awarded 39 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,705 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CCCTI.

Read more about Registered Nursing at CCCTI

18
College of the Albemarle crest
College of the Albemarle
Elizabeth City, North Carolina

College of the Albemarle landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and it awarded 37 ’s registered nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,036 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend College of the Albemarle.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at College of the Albemarle

19
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WCU is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 212 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k list, WCU has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Carolina University is $9,305 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Western Carolina University Registered Nursing Report

20
DCCC crest
Davidson County Community College
Thomasville, North Carolina

Davidson County Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. DCCC is located in Thomasville, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 81 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Davidson County Community College is $7,375 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Registered Nursing at Davidson County Community College

21
WPCC crest
Western Piedmont Community College
Morganton, North Carolina

With a ranking of #21, Western Piedmont Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Morganton, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for WPCC is $3,865 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full WPCC Registered Nursing Report

22
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Winston - Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston - Salem State University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 262 students in 2020-2021.

WSSU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Winston - Salem State University is $10,304 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Winston - Salem State University

23
Wilkes Community College crest
Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, North Carolina

Wilkes Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Wilkesboro, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s registered nursing degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,348 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wilkes Community College.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Wilkes Community College Registered Nursing Report

24

University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNC Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 197 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

UNC Charlotte also made our “Best Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend UNC Charlotte is $12,751 for North Carolina Registered Nursing students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Registered Nursing at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

25
Southeastern Community College crest
Southeastern Community College
Whiteville, North Carolina

Southeastern Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southeastern Community College is located in Whiteville, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 ’s registered nursing degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $2,282 for north carolina registered nursing students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southeastern Community College.

Read more about Registered Nursing at Southeastern Community College

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