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2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina

76 Ranked Colleges
7,919 Degrees Awarded
$9,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking.

Nursing is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 322,592 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, nursing graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $70,916 and had an average of $25,426 in loans still to pay off.

Across North Carolina, there were 7,919 nursing graduates with average earnings and debt of $65,879 and $19,587 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking analyzed 76 colleges that offered a degree in nursing. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent nursing programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the nursing program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Nursing Schools

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The nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina

The colleges and universities below are the best for north carolina nursing students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Nursing in North Carolina

1
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Carolina University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. ECU is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 482 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina nursing students list, ECU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend East Carolina University is $16,550 for north carolina nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at East Carolina University

2

Out of the 76 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #2 spot on the list. UNC Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 209 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $12,469 for North Carolina Nursing students per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Nursing at UNC Chapel Hill

3

Out of the 76 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Wilmington landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,001 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

UNCW also took the #5 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNCW is $19,136 for North Carolina Nursing students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at University of North Carolina at Wilmington

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina. UNC Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 342 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina nursing students list, UNC Greensboro has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $11,629 for north carolina nursing students per year to attend UNC Greensboro.

Full UNC Greensboro Nursing Report

5
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Out of the 76 schools in the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Appalachian State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 152 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Appalachian State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State is $13,989 for North Carolina Nursing students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Nursing at Appalachian State University

6
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 102 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Piedmont Community College also took the #15 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central Piedmont Community College is $5,710 for North Carolina Nursing students.

Full Central Piedmont Community College Nursing Report

7
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

With a ranking of #7, Western Carolina University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, this fairly large public school awarded 229 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

WCU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WCU is $13,924 for north carolina nursing students.

Full Western Carolina University Nursing Report

8

With a ranking of #8, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 288 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina nursing students list, UNC Charlotte has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte is $17,634 for North Carolina Nursing students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Nursing at UNC Charlotte

9
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Winston - Salem State University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Winston - Salem State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. WSSU is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 293 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WSSU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $12,415 for north carolina nursing students per year to attend Winston - Salem State University.

Read full report on Nursing at Winston - Salem State University

10
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school awarded 115 degrees to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Forsyth Tech, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Forsyth Technical Community College is $5,388 for North Carolina Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Forsyth Tech

11
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #11, Fayetteville Technical Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Fayetteville Technical Community College is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 ’s nursing degrees to qualified students.

FTCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for FTCC is $4,337 for North Carolina Nursing students.

Full FTCC Nursing Report

12
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina

Pitt Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Winterville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 113 students in 2020-2021.

Pitt Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” list. The yearly cost to attend Pitt Community College is $4,192 for north carolina nursing students.

Full Pitt Community College Nursing Report

13

With a ranking of #13, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Concord, North Carolina. It awarded 93 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina nursing students list, Cabarrus College of Health Sciences has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is $17,242 for north carolina nursing students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences

14
Johnston Community College crest
Johnston Community College
Smithfield, North Carolina

With a ranking of #14, Johnston Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Johnston Community College is a public institution located in Smithfield, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Johnston Community College is $5,241 for north carolina nursing students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Nursing at Johnston Community College

15
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Salisbury, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 88 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,602 for North Carolina Nursing students per year to attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Read full report on Nursing at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

16
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. This medium-sized school is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and it awarded 220 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

Fayetteville State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $6,969 for North Carolina Nursing students per year to attend Fayetteville State University.

Read full report on Nursing at Fayetteville State University

17
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #17, Wake Technical Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Wake Technical Community College is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 131 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Wake Technical Community College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wake Technical Community College is $6,767 for north carolina nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at Wake Technical Community College

18
Vance-Granville Community College crest
Vance-Granville Community College
Henderson, North Carolina

Vance-Granville Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Henderson, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 47 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Vance-Granville Community College is $3,283 for North Carolina Nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Vance-Granville Community College

19
CFCC crest
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, North Carolina

Cape Fear Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, this fairly large public school awarded 69 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CFCC is $9,574 for north carolina nursing students.

Full CFCC Nursing Report

20
Richmond Community College crest
Richmond Community College
Hamlet, North Carolina

Richmond Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. This small school is located in Hamlet, North Carolina, and it awarded 38 ’s nursing degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Richmond Community College is $4,388 for north carolina nursing students.

Read full report on Nursing at Richmond Community College

21
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, North Carolina

Gaston College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Dallas, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 485 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Gaston College is $12,994 for north carolina nursing students.

Full Gaston College Nursing Report

22
Brunswick Community College crest
Brunswick Community College
Bolivia, North Carolina

Brunswick Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Bolivia, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 26 diplomas to qualified ’s nursing students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Brunswick Community College is $6,925 for north carolina nursing students.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Nursing at Brunswick Community College

23

University of North Carolina at Pembroke landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Pembroke, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 99 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,792 for North Carolina Nursing students per year to attend University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Read full report on Nursing at University of North Carolina at Pembroke

24
College of the Albemarle crest
College of the Albemarle
Elizabeth City, North Carolina

College of the Albemarle did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #24. Elizabeth City, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s nursing degrees to 37 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend College of the Albemarle is $3,691 for North Carolina Nursing students.

Full College of the Albemarle Nursing Report

25

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #25. A-B Tech is a public institution located in Asheville, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 102 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is $5,600 for north carolina nursing students.

Read more about Nursing at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College

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