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

92 Colleges
$4,074 Avg Undergrad Tuition & Fees*
$11,124 Avg Room & Board*

When pursuing a degree in today's world, there are many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking as one thing you can use to help make this decision.

See What's Included in This Value Report:

Your Choice of School Matters

We analyzed 92 schools across North Carolina to determine which have the best value programs. Instead of depending on subjective information to rank the best value schools, we focus on objective factors in our analysis. In the next few paragraphs, we'll talk a little about what we use in our analysis and why.

Our Methodology

To determine the value of a school in our Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking, we first add average tuition, fees, and room and board costs (without aid) together. But, a school that excels in providing value for your money must also be a great school overall as well.

To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Find out more about our best value ranking methodology.

Keep scrolling for the top schools in this ranking or select one of the other rankings methods below.

With Aid (All Income Levels) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $0-$30k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $30-$48k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $48-$75k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income $75-$110k) Best Value Degrees
With Aid (Income Over $110k) Best Value Degrees
Want to see the list of best value schools for families with specific income levels or whether or not aid is being applied? 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. Also, you may want to check out our other college rankings.

If you know what major you want to study, check out our list of the best value schools by major. If you're interested in other degree levels, you can view one of the lists below.

Best Value Schools (No Aid) in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1

Our analysis found University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to be the best value (no aid) school in North Carolina in this year’s ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is ranked #2 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $20,910 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $24,448 a year.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Value Report

2
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

The quality degree programs at North Carolina State University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina. North Carolina State University is a large public school located in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Not only is North Carolina State University a great value, but it is also ranked #3 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $21,088 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $23,660 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at North Carolina State University

3
Cleveland Community College crest
Cleveland Community College
Shelby, North Carolina

A rank of #3 on our Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list means Cleveland Community College is a great place for students working on their degree. 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 #17 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $5,302 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $2,700 a year.

Full Cleveland Community College Value Report

4
Johnston Community College crest
Johnston Community College
Smithfield, North Carolina

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

Not only is Johnston Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #15 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $6,448 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $3,791 per year for graduate students.

Full Johnston Community College Value Report

5
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

The quality degree programs at East Carolina University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, the school is a large public institution.

East Carolina University has the honor of being ranked #6 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 $17,747 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $18,044 a year.

Full East Carolina University Value Report

6
Wake Technical Community College crest
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Wake Technical Community College is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and has a large student population. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Wake Technical Community College is ranked #12 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 $12,768 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $10,000 a year.

Full Wake Technical Community College Value Report

7
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #7. Appalachian State is a public institution located in Boone, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Appalachian State University is ranked #8 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 $17,091 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $17,688 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at Appalachian State University

8
Pitt Community College crest
Pitt Community College
Winterville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #8, Pitt Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Located in Winterville, North Carolina, the school is a medium-sized public institution.

Pitt 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 $8,784 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $6,844 a year.

Read full value report on Pitt Community College

9
Forsyth Tech crest
Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. This medium-sized public school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Not only is Forsyth Technical 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 $9,260 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $7,108 per year for graduate students.

Full Forsyth Technical Community College Value Report

10
Central Piedmont Community College crest
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina

With a ranking of #10, Central Piedmont Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. This fairly large public school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Central Piedmont Community College has the honor of being ranked #16 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $11,497 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $8,705 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at Central Piedmont Community College

11
Beaufort County Community College crest
Beaufort County Community College
Washington, North Carolina

Beaufort County Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. Located in Washington, North Carolina, the school is a small public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Beaufort County Community College is ranked #18 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $11,399 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $8,881 a year.

Learn More About Value at Beaufort County Community College

12
Lenoir Community College crest
Lenoir Community College
Kinston, North Carolina

Lenoir Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Lenoir Community College is a small public school situated in Kinston, North Carolina.

Lenoir Community College has the honor of being ranked #30 in North Carolina for overall quality on top of being a good value. The average cost without aid for the school is $8,932 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $6,364 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Lenoir Community College

13
FTCC crest
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #13. FTCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Fayetteville Technical Community College is ranked #25 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 $9,843 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $7,299 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at Fayetteville Technical Community College

14
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, North Carolina

Gaston College landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. Gaston College is a public institution located in Dallas, North Carolina.

Not only is Gaston College a great value, but it is also ranked #27 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost for undergraduates to attend the school if you don’t receive any aid is $10,042 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $7,180 a year.

Learn More About Value at Gaston College

14

University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the school is a large public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of North Carolina at Charlotte is ranked #7 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 $20,083 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $20,608 a year.

Read full value report on University of North Carolina at Charlotte

16

University of North Carolina at Wilmington landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, the school is a fairly large public institution.

Not only is University of North Carolina at Wilmington a great value, but it is also ranked #10 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $18,584 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $18,860 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on University of North Carolina at Wilmington

17
Guilford Technical Community College crest
Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, North Carolina

Guilford Technical Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Guilford Technical Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Jamestown, North Carolina.

Not only is Guilford Technical Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #24 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $11,478 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $9,189 a year.

Read full value report on Guilford Technical Community College

18

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. UNC Greensboro is a public institution located in Greensboro, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, University of North Carolina at Greensboro is ranked #11 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $17,154 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $17,951 a year.

Read full value report on University of North Carolina at Greensboro

19
ACC crest
Alamance Community College
Graham, North Carolina

Alamance Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. ACC is a small public school situated in Graham, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Alamance Community College is ranked #20 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 $12,792 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $10,482 per year for graduate students.

Full Alamance Community College Value Report

20
Durham Technical Community College crest
Durham Technical Community College
Durham, North Carolina

With a ranking of #20, Durham Technical Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Durham Technical Community College is a public institution located in Durham, North Carolina.

Durham Technical 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 $13,100 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $10,872 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Durham Technical Community College

21
Central Carolina Community College crest
Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, North Carolina

Central Carolina Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Central Carolina Community College is a public institution located in Sanford, North Carolina.

Not only is Central Carolina Community College a great value, but it is also ranked #36 in North Carolina for overall quality. The average cost without aid for the school is $9,734 a year for undergraduates. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $7,180 a year.

Full Central Carolina Community College Value Report

22
Wayne Community College crest
Wayne Community College
Goldsboro, North Carolina

With a ranking of #22, Wayne Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the school is a small public institution.

Wayne Community College has the honor of being ranked #32 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 $12,074 a year. The average cost without aid for the school is $9,550 per year for graduate students.

Read full value report on Wayne Community College

23
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College crest
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Salisbury, North Carolina

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina list. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Salisbury, North Carolina.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is ranked #35 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 $11,126 a year. The average cost to attend the school for graduate students if you don’t receive any aid is $8,500 a year.

Full Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Value Report

24
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University landed the #24 spot on the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, the school is a fairly large public institution.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Western Carolina University is ranked #14 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $15,464 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $18,577 per year for graduate students.

Full Western Carolina University Value Report

25
Stanly Technical College crest
Stanly Community College
Albemarle, North Carolina

Stanly Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Colleges for the Money in North Carolina ranking, coming in at #25. Albemarle, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. It is a public school.

In addition to being included on this ranking as a good value, Stanly Community College is ranked #38 for quality in the state of North Carolina. The average cost without aid for the school is $10,586 a year for undergraduates. The average cost without aid for the school is $7,792 per year for graduate students.

Learn More About Value at Stanly 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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