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2022 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts in North Carolina

51 Ranked Colleges
15,010 Degrees Awarded
$6,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 365,980 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

Across North Carolina, there were 15,922 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 15,010 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,912 and $18,026 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina” ranking, we looked at 51 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina.

Top 25 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts in North Carolina

#1

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Piedmont Community College. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina list. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 1,353 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Central Piedmont Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Central Piedmont Community College is $6,002 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Central Piedmont Community College

#2

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Wake Technical Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 1,502 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Wake Technical Community College also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wake Technical Community College is $6,876 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Wake Technical Community College

#3

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fayetteville Technical Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina list. Fayetteville Technical Community College is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 296 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FTCC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $5,366 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students per year to attend Fayetteville Technical Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Fayetteville Technical Community College

#4

Randolph Community College

Asheboro, North Carolina
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Randolph Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina list. Asheboro, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 152 students in 2019-2020.

Randolph Community College also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Randolph Community College is $6,124 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Randolph Community College

#5

Cleveland Community College

Shelby, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Cleveland Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina. Cleveland Community College is a small public school situated in Shelby, North Carolina. It awarded 161 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Cleveland Community College also took the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $4,682 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students per year to attend Cleveland Community College.

Full Cleveland Community College Liberal Arts Report

#6

Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

Guilford Technical Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking. Guilford Technical Community College is a public institution located in Jamestown, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 513 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Guilford Technical Community College, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Guilford Technical Community College is $8,584 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Guilford Technical Community College

#7

Johnston Community College

Smithfield, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

Johnston Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking. Johnston Community College is located in Smithfield, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 285 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johnston Community College, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Johnston Community College is $6,078 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Johnston Community College Liberal Arts Report

#8

Cape Fear Community College

Wilmington, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

Cape Fear Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina list. Cape Fear Community College is a medium-sized school located in Wilmington, North Carolina that handed out 834 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

CFCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $8,205 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students per year to attend Cape Fear Community College.

Full Cape Fear Community College Liberal Arts Report

#9

Central Carolina Community College

Sanford, North Carolina
#11 in overall quality

Central Carolina Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking. Central Carolina Community College is a medium-sized school located in Sanford, North Carolina that handed out 251 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Carolina Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Central Carolina Community College is $5,694 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Central Carolina Community College

#10

Lenoir Community College

Kinston, North Carolina
#12 in overall quality

Lenoir Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking. This small school is located in Kinston, North Carolina, and it awarded 234 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina associate degree liberal studies students list, Lenoir Community College has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lenoir Community College is $5,212 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students.

Full Lenoir Community College Liberal Arts Report

#11

Durham Technical Community College

Durham, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

Durham Technical Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #11. This small school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 278 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Durham Technical Community College, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $7,159 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students per year to attend Durham Technical Community College.

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

Read more about Liberal Arts at Durham Technical Community College

#12

Richmond Community College

Hamlet, North Carolina
#10 in overall quality

Richmond Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #12. Richmond Community College is a small school located in Hamlet, North Carolina that handed out 205 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Richmond Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Richmond Community College is $2,598 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Richmond Community College

#13

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
#15 in overall quality

Pitt Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Winterville, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school awarded 396 diplomas to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Pitt Community College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Pitt Community College is $3,478 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Pitt Community College

#14

Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#20 in overall quality

Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 521 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Forsyth Tech also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Forsyth Tech is $4,097 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Forsyth Technical Community College

#15

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
#19 in overall quality

Gaston College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #15. Dallas, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 358 students in 2019-2020.

Gaston College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $8,486 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students per year to attend Gaston College.

Full Gaston College Liberal Arts Report

#16

Craven Community College

New Bern, North Carolina
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Craven Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina list. This small school is located in New Bern, North Carolina, and it awarded 216 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Craven Community College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $10,715 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students per year to attend Craven Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Craven Community College

#17

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Salisbury, North Carolina
#13 in overall quality

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina list. This medium-sized school is located in Salisbury, North Carolina, and it awarded 442 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $3,036 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students per year to attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

#18

Vance-Granville Community College

Henderson, North Carolina

Vance-Granville Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking. Vance-Granville Community College is located in Henderson, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 226 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Vance-Granville Community College is $2,223 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Vance-Granville Community College

#19

Brunswick Community College

Bolivia, North Carolina

Brunswick Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking. This small school is located in Bolivia, North Carolina, and it awarded 170 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Brunswick Community College is $6,769 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Brunswick Community College Liberal Arts Report

#20

Stanly Community College

Albemarle, North Carolina

With a ranking of #20, Stanly Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina list. Stanly Technical College is a small public school situated in Albemarle, North Carolina. It awarded 168 associates’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Stanly Technical College is $7,714 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Stanly Technical College

#21

South Piedmont Community College

Polkton, North Carolina
#23 in overall quality

South Piedmont Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Polkton, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 172 degrees to qualified associates’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our north carolina associate degree liberal studies students list, South Piedmont Community College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $6,278 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students per year to attend South Piedmont Community College.

Full South Piedmont Community College Liberal Arts Report

#22

Catawba Valley Community College

Hickory, North Carolina
#17 in overall quality

Catawba Valley Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking. CVCC is located in Hickory, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 401 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

CVCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Catawba Valley Community College is $7,007 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Catawba Valley Community College

#23

Robeson Community College

Lumberton, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

Robeson Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina list. Robeson Community College is located in Lumberton, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 62 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Robeson Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #24. It costs about $7,538 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students per year to attend Robeson Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Robeson Community College

#24

Southwestern Community College

Sylva, North Carolina

Southwestern Community College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking. Sylva, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s liberal studies degrees to 150 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southwestern Community College is $5,354 for North Carolina Associate Degree Liberal Studies students.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Southwestern Community College Liberal Arts Report

#25

James Sprunt Community College

Kenansville, North Carolina

James Sprunt Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for an Associate in North Carolina ranking. JSCC is located in Kenansville, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 105 associates’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,847 for north carolina associate degree liberal studies students per year to attend JSCC.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Liberal Arts at James Sprunt Community College

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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