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2024 Best Schools for the Money (No Aid) in North Carolina for Associate Degrees

54 Colleges
$2,771 Avg Undergrad Tuition & Fees*
$7,967 Avg Room & Board*

There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking.

In This Year's Value Report:

Your Choice of School Matters

Our analysis looked at 54 schools in North Carolina to determine which ones have the best value Associate Degree programs. Our ranking for the best value schools is based on objective factors. We steer clear of subjective measures since they don't give a clear picture when determining how one school compares to another. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.

Our Methodology

Our Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking is determined by first looking at the combined costs of average tuition, fees, and room and board before any aid is applied. In addition, the overall quality of a school is important to ensure a good education, not just how much it costs.

To make it into this list a school must offer a quality education like the schools in our Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considers factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Find out more about our best value ranking methodology.

You can scroll down to see the top schools for this ranking, but you may also want to view some of the other ranking methods listed below.

With Aid (All Income Levels) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $30-$48k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $48-$75k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Associate Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Associate Degrees
To get a better picture of the best value schools for your income range or for whether or not you'll receive aid, click on one of the tiles above. If you'd rather work on your degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our rankings by place. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Know what field you want to major in? Make sure you check out our best value schools by major. In addition, you can select one of the links below to see the best value colleges for other degree levels.

Best Value Associate Degree Schools (No Aid) in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

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

Our 2024 rankings named North Carolina State University the best value (no aid) school in North Carolina for students working on their associate degree. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Not only is North Carolina State University a great value, but it is also ranked #1 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $21,088 a year.

Full North Carolina State University Value Report

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

Out of the 54 associate degree schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Cleveland Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Cleveland Community College is located in Shelby, North Carolina and has a small student population. It is a public school.

Not only is Cleveland Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #6 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $5,302 a year for undergraduates.

Read full value report on Cleveland Community College

3
Johnston Community College crest
Johnston Community College
Smithfield, North Carolina

The quality degree programs at Johnston Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina. Smithfield, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Johnston Community College has the honor of being ranked #4 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $6,448 a year.

Learn More About Value at Johnston Community College

4
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

A rank of #4 on our Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list means Wake Technical Community College is a great place for students working on their degree. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Wake Technical Community College has the honor of being ranked #3 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $12,768 a year.

Read full value report on Wake Technical Community College

5
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina

The quality degree programs at Pitt Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina. This medium-sized public school is located in Winterville, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Pitt Community College is ranked #13 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $8,784 a year.

Learn More About Value at Pitt Community College

6
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Not only is Forsyth Technical Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #10 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $9,260 a year.

Full Forsyth Technical Community College Value Report

7
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Central Piedmont Community College is ranked #5 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $11,497 a year.

Learn More About Value at Central Piedmont Community College

8
Beaufort County Community College crest
Beaufort County Community College
Washington, North Carolina

With a ranking of #8, Beaufort County Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Washington, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Beaufort County Community College has the honor of being ranked #7 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $11,399 a year for undergraduates.

Full Beaufort County Community College Value Report

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

Lenoir Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. Lenoir Community College is located in Kinston, North Carolina and has a small student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Lenoir Community College is ranked #15 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $8,932 a year.

Read full value report on Lenoir Community College

10
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #10. This medium-sized public school is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Not only is Fayetteville Technical Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #12 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $9,843 a year.

Learn More About Value at Fayetteville Technical Community College

11
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, North Carolina

Gaston College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #11. Gaston College is located in Dallas, North Carolina and has a small student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Gaston College is ranked #14 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $10,042 a year.

Read full value report on Gaston College

12
Guilford Technical Community College crest
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, North Carolina

Guilford Technical Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Jamestown, North Carolina, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

Not only is Guilford Technical Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #11 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $11,478 a year.

Learn More About Value at Guilford Technical Community College

13
ACC crest
Alamance Community College
Graham, North Carolina

With a ranking of #13, Alamance Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. This small public school is located in Graham, North Carolina.

Not only is Alamance Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #8 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $12,792 a year.

Read full value report on Alamance Community College

14
Durham Technical Community College crest
Durham Technical Community College
Durham, North Carolina

Durham Technical Community College landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. Durham Technical Community College is a public institution located in Durham, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Durham Technical Community College is ranked #9 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $13,100 a year for undergraduates.

Full Durham Technical Community College Value Report

15
Central Carolina Community College crest
Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, North Carolina

Central Carolina Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #15. Central Carolina Community College is a small public school situated in Sanford, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Central Carolina Community College is ranked #21 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $9,734 a year.

Full Central Carolina Community College Value Report

16
Wayne Community College crest
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, North Carolina

Wayne Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #16. Wayne Community College is a small public school located in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Wayne Community College is ranked #18 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $12,074 a year.

Learn More About Value at Wayne Community College

17
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has the honor of being ranked #20 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $11,126 a year for undergraduates.

Read full value report on Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

18
Stanly Technical College crest
Stanly Community College
Albemarle, North Carolina

Stanly Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. Stanly Technical College is a public institution located in Albemarle, North Carolina.

Stanly Community College has the honor of being ranked #22 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $10,586 a year for undergraduates.

Learn More About Value at Stanly Community College

19
BCC crest
Bladen Community College
Dublin, North Carolina

Bladen Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. BCC is located in Dublin, North Carolina and has a small student population. It is a public school.

Not only is Bladen Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #23 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $9,654 a year for undergraduates.

Learn More About Value at Bladen Community College

20

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Asheville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is ranked #24 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $9,508 a year.

Full Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Value Report

21
Mitchell Community College crest
Mitchell Community College
Statesville, North Carolina

Mitchell Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. Mitchell Community College is located in Statesville, North Carolina and has a small student population. It is a public school.

Not only is Mitchell Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #17 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $14,081 a year for undergraduates.

Full Mitchell Community College Value Report

22
RCC crest
Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, North Carolina

Rockingham Community College landed the #22 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. RCC is a small public school situated in Wentworth, North Carolina.

Not only is Rockingham Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #28 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $9,566 a year.

Learn More About Value at Rockingham Community College

23
Richmond Community College crest
Richmond Community College
Hamlet, North Carolina

Richmond Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #23. Hamlet, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Richmond Community College has the honor of being ranked #31 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $8,836 a year for undergraduates.

Learn More About Value at Richmond Community College

23
Edgecombe Community College crest
Edgecombe Community College
Tarboro, North Carolina

Edgecombe Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Tarboro, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

Edgecombe Community College has the honor of being ranked #26 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $10,224 a year for undergraduates.

Learn More About Value at Edgecombe Community College

25
CFCC crest
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, North Carolina

With a ranking of #25, Cape Fear Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. This fairly large public school is located in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Not only is Cape Fear Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #27 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $10,342 a year for undergraduates.

Read full value report on Cape Fear Community College

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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