2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in North Carolina
[Engineering](/majors/engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Engineering Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Engineering Schools
Our analysis ranked Durham Technical Community College the best value for a degree in engineering in North Carolina. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. 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 engineering graduates is $9,490. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $37,472. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #3. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,861. Engineering graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $40,629 early in their careers. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $45,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in engineering will find it at Fayetteville Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career 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 engineering schools. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Engineering graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College earned the #7 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Students borrow a median of $10,915 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock placed #8 among the best values for engineering. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,660, compared with $8,804 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,252 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,443. Set against $16,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Community College placed #9 among the best values for engineering. Located in the town of Statesville, Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,651, while out-of-state students pay about $8,795. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $6,313. Engineering graduates of Mitchell Community College earn a median of $40,450 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for engineering. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Forsyth Technical Community College generally make around $38,094. Set against $16,374 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wake Technical Community College earned the #11 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Raleigh, Wake Technical Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $11,182. Engineering graduates of Wake Technical Community College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. 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 engineering schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $42,889. That is a strong return on a $12,388 median debt.
Catawba Valley Community College earned the #13 position for value in engineering this year. Located in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,427, with out-of-state students paying around $7,803. Engineering graduates carry a median of $9,842 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $38,219. Set against $9,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $70,561 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #15 position for value in engineering this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $29,926. Early-career engineering graduates make about $75,627. Set against $29,926 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #16 among the best values for engineering. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the engineering program here. Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $73,410 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University came in at #17 for value in engineering 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Engineering graduates carry a median of $29,038 in student loans. Early-career engineering graduates make about $65,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,414. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $70,911. That is a strong return on a $23,414 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,572 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $86,523. That is a strong return on a $24,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
East Carolina University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $26,978. Early-career engineering graduates make about $65,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for engineering graduates is $23,013. Engineering graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $46,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,013 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Campbell University landed the #22 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the town of Buies Creek, Campbell University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,600 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,641 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Campbell University generally make around $54,629. Set against $23,641 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Campbell University admits about 87% of applicants.
Wake Forest University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the engineering program here. Early-career engineering graduates make about $67,369. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 22%.
Methodist University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value engineering schools. Methodist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,250. Students borrow a median of $27,604 to complete the engineering program here. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Methodist University generally make around $56,375. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Methodist University admits about 75% of applicants.
Duke University landed the #25 spot for engineering value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Engineering graduates carry a median of $14,216 in student loans. Engineering graduates of Duke University earn a median of $108,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Engineering Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for engineering this year:
More Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
