2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in North Carolina
[Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/kindergarten-preschool-education-and-teaching/) 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 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
For return on investment in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching, no school beat Durham Technical Community College this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $25,522 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $33,260. Set against $25,522 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $7,131. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #3 place for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. 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, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $23,865. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Wayne Community College one of the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College landed the #6 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,984 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $27,534. Set against $9,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,653 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $32,147 early in their careers.
Robeson Community College came in at #9 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lumberton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,604, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $9,949. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #10 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Students borrow a median of $10,266 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College came in at #11 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $46,757. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alamance Community College came in at #12 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching 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 kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $6,625. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $26,105. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock came in at #13 for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Flat Rock. Students from in state pay about $2,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,804 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,252 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock generally make around $42,443. Set against $16,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Piedmont Community College earned the #14 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Morganton, Western Piedmont Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,650, compared with $8,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $11,999. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Western Piedmont Community College earn a median of $46,883 early in their careers. Set against $11,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabeth City State University landed the #15 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, while out-of-state students pay about $10,536. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $26,992. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $28,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Haywood Community College landed the #16 spot for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value this year. Set in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $28,013.
Davidson County Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,980, while out-of-state students pay about $6,588. Typical student debt for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $14,534. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from Davidson County Community College generally make around $23,880. That is a strong return on a $14,534 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #18 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $45,749. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,640 to complete the kindergarten/preschool education & teaching program here. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $61,361. Set against $13,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Bladen Community College earned the #20 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Bladen Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Dublin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,314, while out-of-state students pay about $7,690. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $9,905 in student loans. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of Bladen Community College earn a median of $45,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,905 median debt.
Western Carolina University placed #21 among the best values for kindergarten/preschool education & teaching. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $24,714 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $40,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Winston Salem State University earned the #22 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $43,077. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
North Carolina Central University earned the #23 position for value in kindergarten/preschool education & teaching this year. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $31,880 in student loans. Soon after graduation, kindergarten/preschool education & teaching degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $46,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. 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 kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates is $24,763. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $45,528 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,763 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value kindergarten/preschool education & teaching schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Kindergarten/preschool Education & Teaching graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Early-career kindergarten/preschool education & teaching graduates make about $45,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s kindergarten/preschool education & teaching value ranking:
More Kindergarten/Preschool Education & Teaching Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
