2026 Best Value Computer Engineering Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Engineering Schools
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #1 spot for value among computer engineering schools in North Carolina. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Early-career computer engineering graduates make about $71,117. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computer engineering schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Computer Engineering graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $80,685. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #3 place for computer engineering. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $24,250. Computer Engineering graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $98,593 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Duke University one of the best values for computer engineering. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical student debt for computer engineering graduates is $14,500. Soon after graduation, computer engineering degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $111,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
[Computer Engineering](/majors/engineering/ce-computer-engineering/) 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.
