2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in North Carolina
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) 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 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value elementary education schools.
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2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Leading the list is James Sprunt Community College, our #1 best value for elementary education in North Carolina. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $11,278. Elementary 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place for elementary education. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $9,500. Elementary Education graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Cleveland Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $13,640 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $13,640 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Wilson Community College one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $15,846 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Wilson Community College earn a median of $47,329 early in their careers. Set against $15,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,653 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $40,584 early in their careers. Set against $24,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #8 for value in elementary education 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. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $44,447. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $29,078. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $48,447. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University landed the #10 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Students borrow a median of $30,087 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $42,080. That is a strong return on a $30,087 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabeth City State University came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,992. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Elizabeth City State University generally make around $28,300. Set against $26,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $24,714. Elementary Education graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $40,594 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $24,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $45,528. That is a strong return on a $24,763 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
East Carolina University landed the #14 spot for elementary education value this year. 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 $23,625 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $45,356. Set against $23,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Students borrow a median of $31,880 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $46,773 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,880 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Appalachian State University earned the #16 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $41,144 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #17 for value in elementary education this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $44,877. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University earned the #18 position for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $43,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Chowan University landed the #19 spot for elementary education value this year. Chowan University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Murfreesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $27,910. Students borrow a median of $32,131 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $30,165. Set against $32,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University placed #20 among the best values for elementary education. 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. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $39,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Catawba College placed #21 among the best values for elementary education. Catawba College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $34,300. Students borrow a median of $20,655 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Catawba College earn a median of $38,071 early in their careers. Set against $20,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #22 spot for elementary education value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Students borrow a median of $20,130 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $42,535. Set against $20,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Olive College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Students borrow a median of $35,963 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $45,131. Set against $35,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Olive College admits about 76% of applicants.
Wingate University placed #24 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $42,576 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $25,925. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Wingate University generally make around $40,130. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wingate University admits about 91% of applicants.
Lenoir Rhyne University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Lenoir Rhyne University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Hickory. Students from in state pay about $31,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $27,000. Elementary Education graduates of Lenoir Rhyne University earn a median of $42,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Elementary Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for elementary education this year:
More Elementary Education Rankings
View All Elementary Education Rankings >
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
