2027 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in North Carolina
[Educational Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value educational administration schools.
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2027 Best Value Educational Administration Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in educational administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Educational Administration Schools
For return on investment in educational administration, no school beat Central Piedmont Community College this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #2 place for educational administration. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Stanly Community College one of the best values for educational administration. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $41,920.
Alamance Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $37,585. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haywood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in educational administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Educational Administration graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $35,767 early in their careers.
Fayetteville State University placed #6 among the best values for educational administration. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $63,764 early in their careers. Set against $27,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $27,089 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $64,928 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #8 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the educational administration program here. Educational Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $67,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #9 for value in educational administration this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $75,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Western Carolina University landed the #10 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $66,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
North Carolina A And T State University placed #11 among the best values for educational administration. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,078 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $54,600. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #12 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for educational administration graduates is $24,673. Educational Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $67,597 early in their careers. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $76,032. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University earned the #14 position for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,173 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $65,158. Set against $31,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #15 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete the educational administration program here. Early-career educational administration graduates make about $78,549. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value educational administration schools. 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. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $69,507. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University earned the #17 position for value in educational administration this year. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $34,750. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $70,840. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Salem College landed the #18 spot for educational administration value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Salem College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,848. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the educational administration program here. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from Salem College generally make around $43,226. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #19 for value in educational administration this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $23,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, educational administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $69,402. Set against $23,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Queens University Of Charlotte earned the #20 position for value in educational administration this year. Queens University Of Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $45,846 in tuition and fees. Educational Administration graduates carry a median of $27,245 in student loans. Educational Administration graduates of Queens University Of Charlotte earn a median of $62,292 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Queens University Of Charlotte admits about 62% of applicants.
High Point University earned the #21 position for value in educational 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 educational administration graduates is $23,785. Educational Administration graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,785 median debt. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
