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2024 Best Schools for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina

93 Colleges
$6,314 Avg Net Price (With Aid)*
56% Discount Rate*

When pursuing a degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking. A school that typically has a high sticker price may actually be very affordable, depending on how much need-based financial aid you receive.

See What's Included in This Value Report:

Finding Your Best College Match

We analyzed 93 schools across North Carolina to determine which have the best value programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best value schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.

Our Methodology

The first step of determing the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking is to look at the school's average net price - the sum of tuition, fees, and room and board minus any financial aid awarded to the student. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.

To take this into account we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a collection of various factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

We go into more detail on these factors on our best value ranking methodology page.

More Rankings to View

Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.

Without Aid Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $30-$48k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $48-$75k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Degrees
Want to see the list of best value schools for families with specific income levels or whether or not aid is being applied? Click on one of the tiles above. You may also want to narrow this list by location to find the best value schools nearest you. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.

Best Value Schools (With Aid) in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tops this year’s ranking as the best value (with aid) school in North Carolina for overall quality. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Not only is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill a great value, but it is also ranked #2 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $11,508 a year.

Learn More About Value at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2
Cleveland Community College crest
Cleveland Community College
Shelby, North Carolina

The quality degree programs at Cleveland Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina. Cleveland Community College is a small public school situated in Shelby, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Cleveland Community College is ranked #17 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $1,048 a year.

Read full value report on Cleveland Community College

3
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Technical Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina list. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school located in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Wake Technical Community College has the honor of being ranked #12 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $4,980.

Learn More About Value at Wake Technical Community College

4
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

The quality degree programs at Fayetteville Technical Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina. FTCC is a public institution located in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Not only is Fayetteville Technical Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #25 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $3,231 a year.

Learn More About Value at Fayetteville Technical Community College

5
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina

A rank of #5 on our Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina list means Pitt Community College is a great place for students working on their degree. Pitt Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Winterville, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Pitt Community College is ranked #26 for quality in the state of North Carolina. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $4,453.

Learn More About Value at Pitt Community College

6
Durham Technical Community College crest
Durham Technical Community College
Durham, North Carolina

Durham Technical Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking. Durham Technical Community College is located in Durham, North Carolina and has a small student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Durham Technical Community College is ranked #22 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $4,844 a year.

Read full value report on Durham Technical Community College

7
Johnston Community College crest
Johnston Community College
Smithfield, North Carolina

With a ranking of #7, Johnston Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina list. Located in Smithfield, North Carolina, the school is a small public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Johnston Community College is ranked #15 for quality in the state of North Carolina. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $6,430.

Full Johnston Community College Value Report

8
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina list. NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and has a large student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, North Carolina State University is ranked #3 for quality in the state of North Carolina. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $14,328.

Read full value report on North Carolina State University

9
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

Central Piedmont Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large public school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Central Piedmont Community College is ranked #16 for quality in the state of North Carolina. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $6,600.

Full Central Piedmont Community College Value Report

10
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking. Forsyth Tech is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. It is a public school.

Not only is Forsyth Technical Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #23 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $6,040 a year.

Full Forsyth Technical Community College Value Report

11
Lenoir Community College crest
Lenoir Community College
Kinston, North Carolina

With a ranking of #11, Lenoir Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina list. Kinston, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Lenoir Community College is ranked #30 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $5,729 a year.

Read full value report on Lenoir Community College

12
Beaufort County Community College crest
Beaufort County Community College
Washington, North Carolina

Beaufort County Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking. Located in Washington, North Carolina, the school is a small public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Beaufort County Community College is ranked #18 for quality in the state of North Carolina. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $6,704.

Read full value report on Beaufort County Community College

13
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #13. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a public institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has the honor of being ranked #35 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $5,356 a year.

Read full value report on Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

14
Wayne Community College crest
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, North Carolina

Wayne Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking. Located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the school is a small public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Wayne Community College is ranked #32 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $5,795 a year.

Full Wayne Community College Value Report

15
Southwestern Community College crest
Southwestern Community College
Sylva, North Carolina

Southwestern Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina list. Located in Sylva, North Carolina, the school is a small public institution.

Not only is Southwestern Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #77 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $2,744 a year.

Learn More About Value at Southwestern Community College

16
RCC crest
Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, North Carolina

With a ranking of #16, Rockingham Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina list. RCC is a small public school situated in Wentworth, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Rockingham Community College is ranked #49 for quality in the state of North Carolina. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $5,340.

Read full value report on Rockingham Community College

17
Central Carolina Community College crest
Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, North Carolina

Central Carolina Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina list. Central Carolina Community College is a small public school located in Sanford, North Carolina.

Not only is Central Carolina Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #36 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $6,321 a year.

Full Central Carolina Community College Value Report

18
Richmond Community College crest
Richmond Community College
Hamlet, North Carolina

Richmond Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking. Richmond Community College is a public institution located in Hamlet, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Richmond Community College is ranked #52 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $5,091 a year.

Learn More About Value at Richmond Community College

19

With a ranking of #19, University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina list. This fairly large public school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina.

University of North Carolina at Greensboro has the honor of being ranked #11 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $9,950 a year.

Learn More About Value at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

20
South Piedmont Community College crest
South Piedmont Community College
Polkton, North Carolina

South Piedmont Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #20. South Piedmont Community College is a public institution located in Polkton, North Carolina.

South Piedmont Community College has the honor of being ranked #50 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $5,742.

Learn More About Value at South Piedmont Community College

21
Robeson Community College crest
Robeson Community College
Lumberton, North Carolina

Robeson Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking. This small public school is located in Lumberton, North Carolina.

Robeson Community College has the honor of being ranked #61 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $5,048 a year.

Learn More About Value at Robeson Community College

22
Mitchell Community College crest
Mitchell Community College
Statesville, North Carolina

Mitchell Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina list. Mitchell Community College is a small public school located in Statesville, North Carolina.

Mitchell Community College has the honor of being ranked #31 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $7,914 a year.

Full Mitchell Community College Value Report

23
Edgecombe Community College crest
Edgecombe Community College
Tarboro, North Carolina

Edgecombe Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking. Edgecombe Community College is a public institution located in Tarboro, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Edgecombe Community College is ranked #46 for quality in the state of North Carolina. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $6,504.

Learn More About Value at Edgecombe Community College

24
Wilkes Community College crest
Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, North Carolina

Wilkes Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking. Wilkes Community College is a small public school located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.

Wilkes Community College has the honor of being ranked #82 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average net price of the school for those who receive financial aid is about $3,411 a year.

Full Wilkes Community College Value Report

25
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money (With Aid) in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #25. Appalachian State University is a large public school located in Boone, North Carolina.

Appalachian State University has the honor of being ranked #8 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. For those students who receive financial aid, the yearly average net price of the school is around $12,735.

Full Appalachian State University Value Report

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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