2026 Best Value Value Schools in North Carolina
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Our analysis ranked Central Carolina Community College the best value for a degree in value in North Carolina. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Students borrow a median of $9,899 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nash Community College earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Value graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $45,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Cape Fear Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,000. Value graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $35,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,882, with out-of-state students paying around $9,026. Students borrow a median of $18,883 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College earn a median of $36,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 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.
