2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 88 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Our analysis ranked Cleveland Community College the best value for a degree in nursing in North Carolina. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $21,448. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $66,430. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #3 place for nursing. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,167 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $74,366. That is a strong return on a $13,167 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Wilkes Community College one of the best values for nursing. Set in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes 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. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $62,962. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $65,112. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Community College landed the #6 spot for nursing value this year. Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Roxboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,556, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Piedmont Community College generally make around $68,517. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Sampson Community College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,596. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,040. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,604, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Nursing graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $77,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #9 position for value in nursing 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,310. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Craven Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of New Bern. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,349. Nursing graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $63,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wayne Community College earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $5,500. Early-career nursing graduates make about $61,774. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,937. Nursing graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $72,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,937 median debt.
Rockingham Community College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Nursing graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $63,549 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Nursing graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $72,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,833. Nursing graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $72,520 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Wilson Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,477 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,152. That is a strong return on a $20,477 median debt.
Lenoir Community College earned the #17 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,505. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,574. Early-career nursing graduates make about $69,740. Set against $13,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. Nursing graduates carry a median of $23,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $64,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sandhills Community College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Pinehurst. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,977 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $66,238 early in their careers. Set against $12,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richmond Community College landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,956, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $8,722 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Richmond Community College generally make around $70,087. Set against $8,722 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College came in at #22 for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,816. Nursing graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $76,008 early in their careers.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $14,617. Nursing graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $61,931 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gaston College placed #24 among the best values for nursing. Set in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $68,245. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #25 for value in nursing 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, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,266. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $70,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing 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 · 88 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 88 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.
