2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in North Carolina

[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in higher education/higher education administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro tops our 2027 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $75,462. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Carolina University earned it the #2 place for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $66,432 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,174 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina Central University earned it the #3 place for higher education/higher education administration. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $65,158. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #4 makes East Carolina University one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $51,931 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,747 median debt. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Appalachian State University earned it the #5 place for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,992. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $69,507 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $78,549. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
High Point University came in at #7 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,312. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $23,785. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from High Point University generally make around $113,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
More Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings
View All Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 7 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.