by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in North Carolina? We have ranked 92 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 92 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Our analysis looked at 92 schools in North Carolina to determine which deliver the best value. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We weigh cost against outcomes such as graduation rates, educational resources, and what graduates earn.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. See the full methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Central Piedmont Community College tops our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money in North Carolina. Located in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,865. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Out of the 92 schools in North Carolina in this year's value ranking, Durham Technical Community College landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Durham, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. The median program debt is $20,408. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,142. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wilkes Community College earned it the #3 place in North Carolina. Located in Wilkesboro, NC, Wilkes Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Typical student debt is $9,125. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Carolina Community College earned it the #4 place in North Carolina. This public school is set in Sanford, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,855 for out-of-state students. Central Carolina Community College students take on a median of $10,266 in debt. Central Carolina Community College alumni report median earnings of $33,525 a decade after entry. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Cleveland Community College one of the best values in North Carolina. Set in Shelby, NC, Cleveland Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. The median program debt is $7,131. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,755. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johnston Community College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Smithfield, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $9,490. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,310 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #7 spot for value in North Carolina this year. This public school is set in Fayetteville, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Fayetteville Technical Community College students take on a median of $16,909 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,861 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College placed #8 among the best values in North Carolina. Located in Wentworth, NC, Rockingham Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their program here. Rockingham Community College alumni report median earnings of $32,480 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Sampson Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Clinton, NC, Sampson Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $33,409. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Stanly Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Stanly Community College is a public school based in Albemarle, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,686.
Wayne Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Wayne Community College is a public school based in Goldsboro, NC. 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 their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Piedmont Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. South Piedmont Community College is a public school based in Polkton, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Typical student debt is $10,098. Median earnings reach $37,308 ten years out. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Nash Community College landed the #13 spot for value in North Carolina this year. Based in Rocky Mount, NC, Nash Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Median earnings reach $34,912 ten years out. Set against $16,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Haywood Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Clyde, NC, Haywood Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,580, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,770.
Craven Community College placed #15 among the best values in North Carolina. Craven Community College is a public school based in New Bern, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $8,924. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,231 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,924 median debt.
Martin Community College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Located in Williamston, NC, Martin Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,523, compared with $8,667 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,016.
Vance Granville Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. This public school is set in Henderson, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,304. Set against $14,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #18 spot for value in North Carolina this year. Set in Kenansville, NC, James Sprunt Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. James Sprunt Community College students take on a median of $11,278 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $29,307. That is a strong return on a $11,278 median debt.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College landed the #19 spot for value in North Carolina this year. Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a public school based in Salisbury, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Typical student debt is $10,867. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,936. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Dobson, NC, Surry Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,668, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Surry Community College students take on a median of $9,537 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,012. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a private not-for-profit school based in Wake Forest, NC. Students from in state pay about $11,318 in tuition and fees. About 75% of those who apply are admitted.
Gaston College placed #22 among the best values in North Carolina. This public school is set in Dallas, NC. Students from in state pay about $3,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Gaston College students take on a median of $10,915 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $35,386. Set against $10,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Sylva offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Sylva, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Typical student debt is $13,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,145 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,708 median debt.
Lenoir Community College placed #24 among the best values in North Carolina. This public school is set in Kinston, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,822. The median program debt is $9,984. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,866 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Whiteville, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,600, with out-of-state students paying around $8,744. Students borrow a median of $10,188 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,284. Set against $10,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 92 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 92 schools evaluated. References
More about our data sources and methodologies.