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2023 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

39 Ranked Colleges
10,301 Degrees Awarded
$6,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 327,871 education students received their degree, making the major the 4th most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.

Across North Carolina, there were 10,301 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,315 and $23,711 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 39 colleges that offer a degree in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the education program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Education Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in North Carolina

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 135 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $371 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Education at Duke University

2
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Forest University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 120 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Forest University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Wake Forest University is $10,401 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wake Forest University Education Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 244 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend UNC Chapel Hill is $3,753 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Education at UNC Chapel Hill

4
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 607 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $7,283 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full North Carolina State University Education Report

5
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Appalachian State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k. Appalachian State University is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 808 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Appalachian State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $7,354 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State Education Report

6
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

With a ranking of #6, Central Piedmont Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 195 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Piedmont Community College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $5,676 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Central Piedmont Community College.

Read more about Education at Central Piedmont Community College

7
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. FTCC is a medium-sized school located in Fayetteville, North Carolina that handed out 214 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

FTCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for FTCC is $2,883 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at FTCC

8
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. East Carolina University is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 733 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k list, ECU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $11,260 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Carolina University.

Read more about Education at ECU

9
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

With a ranking of #9, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Salisbury, North Carolina. It awarded 127 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is $2,068 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

10

University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 421 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Greensboro not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $7,645 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at UNC Greensboro

11
Stanly Technical College crest
Stanly Community College
Albemarle, North Carolina

Stanly Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Albemarle, North Carolina, and it awarded 165 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanly Technical College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Stanly Technical College is $5,002 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Stanly Community College Education Report

12
Vance-Granville Community College crest
Vance-Granville Community College
Henderson, North Carolina

Vance-Granville Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Henderson, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,176 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vance-Granville Community College.

Full Vance-Granville Community College Education Report

13
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina

Pitt Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Winterville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 184 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Pitt Community College is $3,728 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Pitt Community College

14
ECSU crest
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, North Carolina

Elizabeth City State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 28 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,041 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Elizabeth City State University.

Read more about Education at Elizabeth City State University

15
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #15, Fayetteville State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fayetteville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 83 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,366 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Fayetteville State University.

Read full report on Education at Fayetteville State University

16
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 213 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wake Technical Community College is $3,886 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at Wake Technical Community College

17

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNC Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 914 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

UNC Charlotte not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $12,751 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Education at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

18
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. WCU is a fairly large school located in Cullowhee, North Carolina that handed out 351 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

WCU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $9,305 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WCU.

Read more about Education at Western Carolina University

19
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NC A&T is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 180 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC A&T, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina A & T State University is $7,827 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at North Carolina A & T State University

20
Haywood Community College crest
Haywood Community College
Clyde, North Carolina

With a ranking of #20, Haywood Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Clyde, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 101 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Haywood Community College is $5,822 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Education at Haywood Community College

21

University of North Carolina at Pembroke came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Pembroke, North Carolina, and it awarded 240 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Pembroke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $8,412 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Read more about Education at UNC Pembroke

22

University of North Carolina at Wilmington came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a fairly large public school situated in Wilmington, North Carolina. It awarded 427 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

UNCW also took the #9 spot in our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $11,710 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of North Carolina at Wilmington Education Report

23
Guilford Technical Community College crest
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, North Carolina

Guilford Technical Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Guilford Technical Community College is a public institution located in Jamestown, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 157 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Guilford Technical Community College is $10,003 for North Carolina Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at Guilford Technical Community College

24
WSSU crest
Winston - Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston - Salem State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 45 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

WSSU also made our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for Winston - Salem State University is $10,304 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Education at WSSU

25
North Carolina Central University crest
North Carolina Central University
Durham, North Carolina

With a ranking of #25, North Carolina Central University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Carolina Central University is a medium-sized school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 100 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

North Carolina Central University also took the #23 spot in our “Best Education Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina Central University is $12,249 for north carolina education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Education at North Carolina Central University

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