2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in North Carolina

1

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

For return on investment in higher education/higher education administration, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Greensboro this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $24,977. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $75,462. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

2

North Carolina Central University
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $65,158 early in their careers. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.

3

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Appalachian State University earned it the #3 place for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $21,992. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $69,507. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

4

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

Students looking for strong value in higher education/higher education administration will find it at East Carolina University, which ranked #4. 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, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $51,931. Set against $24,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

5

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

A rank of #5 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of the best values for higher education/higher education administration. 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, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,113. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $78,549. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

6

Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Wingate University earned the #6 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,576. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Wingate University generally make around $82,174. Set against $25,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

7

High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University placed #7 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,312. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Set against $23,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

8

Elon University
Elon, NC

Elon University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elon. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $21,619 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Elon University earn a median of $50,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,619 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.