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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in North Carolina

57 Ranked Colleges
18,469 Degrees Awarded
$4,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 556,813 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, liberal arts general studies is the 1st most popular major in the United States. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across North Carolina, there were 18,469 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $25,649 and $14,171 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 57 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts general studies. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts general studies programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

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

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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 Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $30-$48k) in North Carolina

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Out of the 57 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $-927 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Duke University. 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.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Duke University

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 46 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $5,729 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

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

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Liberal Arts General Studies Report

3
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend North Carolina State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 51 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

NC State also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $9,448 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NC State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full North Carolina State University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

4
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Forsyth Technical Community College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k. Forsyth Tech is a medium-sized school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 529 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Forsyth Tech also took the #10 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $4,831 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Forsyth Technical Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Forsyth Technical Community College

5
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Cleveland Community College
Shelby, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Cleveland Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Shelby, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 260 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cleveland Community College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cleveland Community College is $231 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Cleveland Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

6
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a medium-sized school located in Salisbury, North Carolina that handed out 490 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $2,833 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

7
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,679 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wake Technical Community College has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Technical Community College is $4,842 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Wake Technical Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

8
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It awarded 844 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, FTCC has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FTCC is $4,223 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at FTCC

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

Lenoir Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lenoir Community College is a small school located in Kinston, North Carolina that handed out 202 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Lenoir Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $3,865 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lenoir Community College.

Full Lenoir Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

10

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This small school is located in Hudson, North Carolina, and it awarded 666 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute is $5,537 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at CCCTI

11
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina

Pitt Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Winterville, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school handed out 507 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Pitt Community College is $4,469 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Pitt Community College

12
Vance-Granville Community College crest
Vance-Granville Community College
Henderson, North Carolina

With a ranking of #12, Vance-Granville Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vance-Granville Community College is a public institution located in Henderson, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 229 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Vance-Granville Community College is $3,141 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Vance-Granville Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

13
RCC crest
Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, North Carolina

Rockingham Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rockingham Community College is a public institution located in Wentworth, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 144 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,803 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend RCC.

Full RCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

14
Wayne Community College crest
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, North Carolina

Wayne Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Goldsboro, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 230 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,743 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wayne Community College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 Liberal Arts General Studies at Wayne Community College

15
Beaufort County Community College crest
Beaufort County Community College
Washington, North Carolina

With a ranking of #15, Beaufort County Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Washington, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 213 students in 2020-2021.

Beaufort County Community College also took the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $4,896 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Beaufort County Community College.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Beaufort County Community College

16
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College of the Albemarle
Elizabeth City, North Carolina

College of the Albemarle came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College of the Albemarle is located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 267 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $4,876 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend College of the Albemarle.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at College of the Albemarle

17
Surry Community College crest
Surry Community College
Dobson, North Carolina

Surry Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Surry Community College is a small school located in Dobson, North Carolina that handed out 185 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Surry Community College, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $5,542 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Surry Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Surry Community College

18
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,486 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Piedmont Community College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $5,642 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central Piedmont Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Central Piedmont Community College

19
Wilkes Community College crest
Wilkes Community College
Wilkesboro, North Carolina

With a ranking of #19, Wilkes Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 200 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $2,377 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wilkes Community College.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Wilkes Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

20
Guilford Technical Community College crest
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, North Carolina

Guilford Technical Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Jamestown, North Carolina, and it awarded 706 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, Guilford Technical Community College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Guilford Technical Community College is $10,908 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Guilford Technical Community College

21
Johnston Community College crest
Johnston Community College
Smithfield, North Carolina

Johnston Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Smithfield, North Carolina, this small public school awarded 357 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

Johnston Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” list. The estimated yearly cost for Johnston Community College is $5,239 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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.

Full Johnston Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

22
Nash Community College crest
Nash Community College
Rocky Mount, North Carolina

With a ranking of #22, Nash Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and it awarded 158 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,764 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Nash Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Nash Community College

23
Central Carolina Community College crest
Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, North Carolina

Central Carolina Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Sanford, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 239 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,268 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Central Carolina Community College.

Full Central Carolina Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

24
South Piedmont Community College crest
South Piedmont Community College
Polkton, North Carolina

With a ranking of #24, South Piedmont Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k list. South Piedmont Community College is located in Polkton, North Carolina and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 159 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k list, South Piedmont Community College has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. It costs about $5,961 for north carolina liberal arts students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Piedmont Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at South Piedmont Community College

25
CVCC crest
Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory, North Carolina

Catawba Valley Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in North Carolina For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Hickory, North Carolina, this small public school handed out 443 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CVCC, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in North Carolina” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CVCC is $6,075 for North Carolina Liberal Arts students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at CVCC

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