2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in North Carolina
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 72 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, no school beat Wilkes Community College this year. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $25,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #2 spot this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $11,321 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $23,876 early in their careers. 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 / sciences & humanities. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $26,028 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Rockingham Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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 / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,055. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $7,104 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $24,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James Sprunt Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,592, with out-of-state students paying around $8,736. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,278. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,481 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $28,261. Set against $7,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Craven Community College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Craven Community College generally make around $28,745. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,833. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $34,109 early in their careers. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edgecombe Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Students borrow a median of $22,153 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Edgecombe Community College earn a median of $49,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,037. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $36,276. That is a strong return on a $12,037 median debt.
Wilson Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Wilson Community College generally make around $23,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kinston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,118. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,374. Set against $9,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,877 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,596. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Sampson Community College earn a median of $28,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Surry Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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 liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $24,635. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Students borrow a median of $12,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $26,973. That is a strong return on a $12,750 median debt.
Richmond Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hamlet. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,340. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Sandhills Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,648. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Robeson Community College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,714. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $28,120.
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,711, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $19,606 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 72 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 72 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.
