2026 Best Teaching Schools in North Carolina
Looking for the best Teaching degree programs in North Carolina? Our ranking highlights 163 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Teaching Degree Search reviewed 129 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Teaching Degree Schools in North Carolina
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Stanly Community College to be the best Teaching school in North Carolina. Stanly Community College is a public school based in Albemarle, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. More on Stanly Community College
Duke University came in at #2 on this year's Teaching ranking in North Carolina. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Duke University
You'll be in good company at Wake Forest University, which ranked #3 this year. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. About 89% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Wake Forest University Teaching students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. Read the full report on Wake Forest University
A rank of #4 makes Central Piedmont Community College one of the top choices in North Carolina. Set in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete their Teaching program here. More on Central Piedmont Community College
The strong Teaching programs at Appalachian State University earned it the #5 place in North Carolina. Set in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on Appalachian State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot in North Carolina this year. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. The median Teaching program debt is $22,113. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Teaching students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
East Carolina University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Located in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. East Carolina University graduates 63% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical Teaching student debt is $24,747. Read more about East Carolina University
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. More on University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Campbell University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Campbell University is a private not-for-profit school based in Buies Creek, NC. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,600. Graduates carry a median of $23,641 in student loans. See the full Campbell University profile
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public school based in Greensboro, NC. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro Teaching students take on a median of $24,977 in debt. More on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
High Point University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. High Point University is a private not-for-profit school based in High Point, NC. About 72% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $45,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about High Point University
Haywood Community College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Clyde, NC, Haywood Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,580, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. More on Haywood Community College
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington did well this year, earning the #14 position. This public school is set in Wilmington, NC. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington Teaching students take on a median of $23,013 in debt. See the full University Of North Carolina At Wilmington profile
Wingate University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Wingate, NC, Wingate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Wingate University graduates 46% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $42,576. Graduates carry a median of $25,556 in student loans. Read more about Wingate University
Queens University Of Charlotte placed #16 among Teaching schools in North Carolina. Set in Charlotte, NC, Queens University Of Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees run about $45,846. Typical Teaching student debt is $27,245. More on Queens University Of Charlotte
Catawba College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Catawba College is a private not-for-profit school based in Salisbury, NC. About 47% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,300. The median Teaching program debt is $25,667. See the full Catawba College profile
Winston Salem State University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Winston Salem State University is a public school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Winston Salem State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 47%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $27,653 in student loans. More on Winston Salem State University
Western Carolina University placed #19 among Teaching schools in North Carolina. Based in Cullowhee, NC, Western Carolina University is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical Teaching student debt is $24,174. Get the full Western Carolina University report
Wake Technical Community College did well this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. Typical Teaching student debt is $17,900. See the full Wake Technical Community College profile
North Carolina Central University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. North Carolina Central University is a public school based in Durham, NC. North Carolina Central University posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. See the full North Carolina Central University profile
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Located in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, while out-of-state students pay about $8,772. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on Fayetteville Technical Community College
Vance Granville Community College landed the #23 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Henderson, NC, Vance Granville Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Vance Granville Community College Teaching students take on a median of $14,833 in debt. Read the full report on Vance Granville Community College
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. North Carolina A And T State University is a public school based in Greensboro, NC. North Carolina A And T State University graduates 57% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. The median Teaching program debt is $29,078. Get the full North Carolina A And T State University report
Salem College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. Salem College graduates 57% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $33,848. Typical Teaching student debt is $26,789. More on Salem College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Teaching Degree Schools in North Carolina
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Gardner Webb University placed #26 among Teaching schools in North Carolina. Based in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner Webb University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $34,750. Gardner Webb University Teaching students take on a median of $25,033 in debt. Read more about Gardner Webb University
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Located in Salisbury, NC, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, with out-of-state students paying around $6,672. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Rowan Cabarrus Community College report
Guilford Technical Community College placed #28 among Teaching schools in North Carolina. Based in Jamestown, NC, Guilford Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,320, with out-of-state students paying around $7,696. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete their Teaching program here. Read more about Guilford Technical Community College
Mars Hill College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Based in Mars Hill, NC, Mars Hill College is a private not-for-profit institution. Mars Hill College posts a six-year graduation rate of 45%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,736. Students borrow a median of $26,886 to complete their Teaching program here. More on Mars Hill College
Pitt Community College ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This public school is set in Winterville, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,871, while out-of-state students pay about $13,087. Students borrow a median of $19,741 to complete their Teaching program here. Read the full report on Pitt Community College
Fayetteville State University placed #31 among Teaching schools in North Carolina. This public school is set in Fayetteville, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 38%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. The median Teaching program debt is $27,869. Read the full report on Fayetteville State University
Lenoir Rhyne University came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in Hickory, NC, Lenoir Rhyne University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,900. Lenoir Rhyne University Teaching students take on a median of $26,900 in debt. Read the full report on Lenoir Rhyne University
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Set in Pembroke, NC, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke Teaching students take on a median of $27,089 in debt. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Pembroke report
Mount Olive College placed #34 among Teaching schools in North Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mount Olive, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Students from in state pay about $27,366 in tuition and fees. Mount Olive College Teaching students take on a median of $30,798 in debt. Read more about Mount Olive College
St Andrews Presbyterian College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Laurinburg, NC. Roughly 27% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $32,388. St Andrews Presbyterian College Teaching students take on a median of $26,240 in debt. See the full St Andrews Presbyterian College profile
Wilkes Community College landed the #36 spot in North Carolina this year. Based in Wilkesboro, NC, Wilkes Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Wilkes Community College Teaching students take on a median of $9,125 in debt. Get the full Wilkes Community College report
Robeson Community College landed the #37 spot in North Carolina this year. This public school is set in Lumberton, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Read more about Robeson Community College
Elizabeth City State University landed the #38 spot in North Carolina this year. Based in Elizabeth City, NC, Elizabeth City State University is a public institution. Elizabeth City State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,536, compared with $10,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,992 to complete their Teaching program here. Get the full Elizabeth City State University report
Piedmont Community College placed #39 among Teaching schools in North Carolina. Read the full report on Piedmont Community College
Miller Motte College Raleigh came in at #40 in this year's ranking. See the full Miller Motte College Raleigh profile
Mycomputercareeredu Raleigh placed #41 among Teaching schools in North Carolina. Get the full Mycomputercareeredu Raleigh report
Cape Fear Community College landed the #42 spot in North Carolina this year. Get the full Cape Fear Community College report
Greensboro College landed the #43 spot in North Carolina this year. Get the full Greensboro College report
Montgomery Community College did well this year, earning the #44 position. More on Montgomery Community College
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Read the full report on Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Beaufort County Community College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. More on Beaufort County Community College
Empire Beauty School Winston Salem landed the #47 spot in North Carolina this year. More on Empire Beauty School Winston Salem
Johnston Community College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. More on Johnston Community College
Alexander Paul Institute Of Hair Design came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Alexander Paul Institute Of Hair Design
Shaw University
Shaw University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Teaching schools. Read the full report on Shaw University
More Teaching Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Teaching Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 129 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 163 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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