2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in North Carolina
[Early Childhood Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/early-childhood-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for early childhood education students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in early childhood education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Leading the list is Wilkes Community College, our #1 best value for early childhood education in North Carolina. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $36,341. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Durham Technical Community College one of the best values for early childhood education. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $25,522 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $33,260 early in their careers. Set against $25,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Cleveland Community College one of the best values for early childhood education. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $26,775 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in early childhood education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,556, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Piedmont Community College generally make around $68,517. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pamlico Community College placed #6 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,712, compared with $12,928 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,005 ten years after entry.
Wayne Community College landed the #7 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $33,116. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edgecombe Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Located in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $25,703. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $22,259. Set against $25,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College landed the #9 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,490. Early Childhood Education 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.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early Childhood Education graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $23,865 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle came in at #11 for value in early childhood education this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,240 median debt.
Wilson Community College landed the #12 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $15,846. Early Childhood Education graduates of Wilson Community College earn a median of $47,329 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,846 median debt.
Craven Community College came in at #13 for value in early childhood education this year. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Students borrow a median of $8,924 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College placed #14 among the best values for early childhood education. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $9,984. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $27,534. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Robeson Community College placed #15 among the best values for early childhood education. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the early childhood education program here. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value early childhood education schools. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $14,833. Early Childhood Education graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $43,272 early in their careers. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #17 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $24,653 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,653 median debt.
Stanly Community College landed the #18 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $32,147.
Sandhills Community College landed the #19 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,238 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $46,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College earned the #20 position for value in early childhood education this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Students borrow a median of $9,537 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #21 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Early Childhood Education graduates carry a median of $13,708 in student loans. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $36,418. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College landed the #22 spot for early childhood education value this year. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,956, while out-of-state students pay about $6,564. Students borrow a median of $8,407 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early Childhood Education graduates of Richmond Community College earn a median of $46,757 early in their careers. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College placed #23 among the best values for early childhood education. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the early childhood education program here. Early-career early childhood education graduates make about $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alamance Community College landed the #24 spot for early childhood education value this year. Located in the suburb of Graham, Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $6,625. Early Childhood Education graduates of Alamance Community College earn a median of $26,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock came in at #25 for value in early childhood education this year. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Flat Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $2,660, compared with $8,804 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for early childhood education graduates is $16,252. Soon after graduation, early childhood education degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock generally make around $42,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Early Childhood Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in early childhood education:
More Early Childhood Education Rankings
View All Early Childhood Education 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
