2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in North Carolina
[Pre-Engineering](/majors/engineering/general-engineering/pre-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value pre-engineering schools.
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2027 Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pre-engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pre-Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Durham Technical Community College the best value for a degree in pre-engineering in North Carolina. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $46,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in pre-engineering will find it at Johnston Community College, which ranked #2. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $9,490. Pre-Engineering graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $40,629. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Nash Community College earned it the #4 place for pre-engineering. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $16,969. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pre-engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $40,584. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $10,266. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock came in at #7 for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Students borrow a median of $16,252 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn a median of $42,443 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College placed #8 among the best values for pre-engineering. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Pre-Engineering graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mitchell Community College earned the #9 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,651, while out-of-state students pay about $8,795. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $40,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College earned the #10 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $16,374. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College landed the #11 spot for pre-engineering value this year. Located in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,182 to complete the pre-engineering program here. Early-career pre-engineering graduates make about $38,673. That is a strong return on a $11,182 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value pre-engineering schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Typical student debt for pre-engineering graduates is $12,388. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Cape Fear Community College generally make around $42,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Catawba Valley Community College earned the #13 position for value in pre-engineering this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,427, with out-of-state students paying around $7,803. Pre-Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,842 in student loans. Pre-Engineering graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $38,219 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
