2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in North Carolina
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 34 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Leading the list is Rockingham Community College, our #1 best value for general studies in North Carolina. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. Students from in state pay about $1,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Rockingham Community College earn a median of $50,048 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Cleveland Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $23,055. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at James Sprunt Community College earned it the #3 place for general studies. James Sprunt Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Kenansville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. General Studies graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $25,999 early in their careers. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at College Of The Albemarle, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,481. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $28,261. That is a strong return on a $7,481 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Central Piedmont Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,104. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,629. That is a strong return on a $7,104 median debt.
Craven Community College placed #6 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Community College came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,556, while out-of-state students pay about $8,700. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies 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 earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clinton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,596. General Studies graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $28,489 early in their careers. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,118. Early-career general studies graduates make about $38,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Surry Community College earned the #10 position for value in general studies 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. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $47,188. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Nash Community College earned the #11 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, with out-of-state students paying around $8,866. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. Set against $12,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Robeson Community College landed the #12 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $52,951. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Martin Community College landed the #13 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. General Studies graduates of Martin Community College earn a median of $42,820 early in their careers.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $25,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,120.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #16 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $38,198. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mitchell Community College landed the #17 spot for general studies value this year. Mitchell Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Statesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,651, compared with $8,795 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mitchell Community College generally make around $27,667. That is a strong return on a $6,313 median debt.
Gaston College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,334 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $26,838 early in their careers. Set against $6,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Washington. Students from in state pay about $2,540 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,660, compared with $8,804 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,065 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn a median of $27,747 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Forsyth Technical Community College came in at #21 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Forsyth Technical Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,276, compared with $6,884 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mayland Community College came in at #22 for value in general studies this year. Mayland Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Spruce Pine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,626, with out-of-state students paying around $8,770. General Studies graduates of Mayland Community College earn a median of $17,144 early in their careers.
Mcdowell Technical Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Marion, Mcdowell Technical Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,032, with out-of-state students paying around $6,640. Early-career general studies graduates make about $56,733.
Catawba Valley Community College earned the #24 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,427, with out-of-state students paying around $7,803. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,429. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,951. Set against $6,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tri County Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Tri County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Murphy. In-state tuition and fees average $2,508, with out-of-state students paying around $8,652. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Tri County Community College generally make around $23,979.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general studies this year:
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
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 · 34 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 34 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.
