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2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina

55 Ranked Colleges
16,104 Degrees Awarded
$7,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 366,996 liberal arts students received their degree, making the major the 2nd most popular in the country.

Across North Carolina, there were 16,104 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking analyzed 55 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in North Carolina

1
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend North Carolina State University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

NC State also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $16,411 for north carolina liberal studies students per year to attend North Carolina State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

Full NC State Liberal Arts Report

2
Cleveland Community College crest
Cleveland Community College
Shelby, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cleveland Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. This small school is located in Shelby, North Carolina, and it awarded 196 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cleveland Community College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cleveland Community College is $-141 for north carolina liberal studies students. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Cleveland Community College

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. UNC Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 46 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina liberal studies students list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $12,469 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at UNC Chapel Hill

4
Guilford Technical Community College crest
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Guilford Technical Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. Guilford Technical Community College is a medium-sized school located in Jamestown, North Carolina that handed out 609 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Guilford Technical Community College also took the #4 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $10,898 for north carolina liberal studies students per year to attend Guilford Technical Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Guilford Technical Community College

5
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Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Forsyth Technical Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 501 students in 2020-2021.

Forsyth Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $5,388 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students per year to attend Forsyth Tech.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Forsyth Tech

6
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking. Fayetteville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 330 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina liberal studies students list, FTCC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $4,337 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students per year to attend FTCC.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Fayetteville Technical Community College

7
Beaufort County Community College crest
Beaufort County Community College
Washington, North Carolina

Beaufort County Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #7. Beaufort County Community College is a small public school situated in Washington, North Carolina. It awarded 137 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Beaufort County Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. It costs about $4,810 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students per year to attend Beaufort County Community College.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Beaufort County Community College

8
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 1,679 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Technical Community College, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Technical Community College is $6,767 for north carolina liberal studies students.

Full Wake Technical Community College Liberal Arts Report

9
Lenoir Community College crest
Lenoir Community College
Kinston, North Carolina

Lenoir Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. Lenoir Community College is located in Kinston, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 199 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Lenoir Community College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lenoir Community College is $4,005 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

Full Lenoir Community College Liberal Arts Report

10
Johnston Community College crest
Johnston Community College
Smithfield, North Carolina

With a ranking of #10, Johnston Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. Johnston Community College is a small school located in Smithfield, North Carolina that handed out 309 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Johnston Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Johnston Community College is $5,241 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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 Liberal Arts at Johnston Community College

11

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. Asheville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 329 students in 2020-2021.

A-B Tech also took the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $5,600 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students per year to attend Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at A-B Tech

12

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking. UNC Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 172 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

UNC Greensboro also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $11,629 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students per year to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at UNC Greensboro

13
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,486 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Piedmont Community College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Piedmont Community College is $5,710 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Central Piedmont Community College

14
ACC crest
Alamance Community College
Graham, North Carolina

Alamance Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Graham, North Carolina, and it awarded 281 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

ACC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Alamance Community College is $14,724 for north carolina liberal studies students.

Full ACC Liberal Arts Report

15
Surry Community College crest
Surry Community College
Dobson, North Carolina

Surry Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking. Surry Community College is a small public school situated in Dobson, North Carolina. It awarded 155 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Surry Community College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Surry Community College is $5,510 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Surry Community College

16
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Salisbury, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school handed out 395 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $2,602 for north carolina liberal studies students per year to attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

17
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, North Carolina

Gaston College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking. Gaston College is a public institution located in Dallas, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 352 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Gaston College also took the #22 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Gaston College is $12,994 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Gaston College

18
South Piedmont Community College crest
South Piedmont Community College
Polkton, North Carolina

South Piedmont Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking. South Piedmont Community College is a small public school situated in Polkton, North Carolina. It awarded 158 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

South Piedmont Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend South Piedmont Community College is $5,727 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at South Piedmont Community College

19
CFCC crest
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, North Carolina

Cape Fear Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #19. Cape Fear Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Wilmington, North Carolina. It awarded 820 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

CFCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for CFCC is $9,574 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at CFCC

20
NC A&T crest
North Carolina A & T State University
Greensboro, North Carolina

North Carolina A & T State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 192 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina liberal studies students list, NC A&T has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina A & T State University is $10,563 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

Full NC A&T Liberal Arts Report

21
Piedmont Community College crest
Piedmont Community College
Roxboro, North Carolina

Piedmont Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Roxboro, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 45 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,884 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students per year to attend Piedmont Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Piedmont Community College

22
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #22, Pitt Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. Pitt Community College is a public institution located in Winterville, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 412 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Pitt Community College is $4,192 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

Full Pitt Community College Liberal Arts Report

23
Mitchell Community College crest
Mitchell Community College
Statesville, North Carolina

Mitchell Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina list. Statesville, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 268 students in 2020-2021.

Mitchell Community College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mitchell Community College is $9,162 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

Full Mitchell Community College Liberal Arts Report

24
CVCC crest
Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory, North Carolina

Catawba Valley Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #24. Hickory, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 437 students in 2020-2021.

CVCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for CVCC is $6,044 for North Carolina Liberal Studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Catawba Valley Community College

25
Central Carolina Community College crest
Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, North Carolina

Central Carolina Community College landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in North Carolina ranking. Sanford, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 239 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,398 for north carolina liberal studies students per year to attend Central Carolina Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Central Carolina Community College

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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