2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 69 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Wilkes Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools in North Carolina. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wilkes Community College generally make around $25,681. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $11,321 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,876. That is a strong return on a $11,321 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Wayne Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wayne Community College generally make around $26,028. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Johnston Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Cleveland Community College, which ranked #5. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, while out-of-state students pay about $8,746. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,131. Liberal Arts graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $23,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts value this year. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,104. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James Sprunt Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,278 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from James Sprunt Community College generally make around $25,999. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Albemarle earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,242, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,481 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $28,261 early in their careers. Set against $7,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edgecombe Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tarboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $22,153. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Edgecombe Community College generally make around $49,528. That is a strong return on a $22,153 median debt.
Craven Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,745. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $34,109. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Roxboro, Piedmont Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,556, compared with $8,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Piedmont Community College earn a median of $68,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wilson Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Wilson Community College earn a median of $23,530 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,037 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $36,276. That is a strong return on a $12,037 median debt.
Sampson Community College came in at #16 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $28,489. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Students borrow a median of $9,118 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Lenoir Community College earn a median of $33,374 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,118 median debt.
Surry Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,668, compared with $8,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Nash Community College earn a median of $26,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Robeson Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,949. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $25,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richmond Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,564. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Richmond Community College earn a median of $27,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Sandhills Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $21,553. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Sylva ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,973. Set against $8,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $28,120 early in their careers.
Martin Community College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,523 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,667 for out-of-state students. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $42,820.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts 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 · 69 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 69 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.
