2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
There are so many teaching programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Teaching Degree Search has created the Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 38 schools in North Carolina to see which programs offered the best value experiences for teaching students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Stanly Community College to be the best value school for teaching students in North Carolina. Albemarle, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 165 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Stanly Technical College are $9,245 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,203 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Stanly Technical College graduates make an average of $40,419 annually.
Stanly Technical College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Teaching Schools in North Carolina list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Vance-Granville Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina list. Henderson, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 30 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Vance-Granville Community College are $6,552 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,175 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Vance-Granville Community College graduates make an average of $33,291 annually.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pitt Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina list. Pitt Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Winterville, North Carolina. It awarded 184 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pitt Community College are $6,548 a year. On average, students take out $22,943 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Pitt Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,276 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Central Piedmont Community College is a great place for teaching students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 195 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Piedmont Community College are $8,936 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,635 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Central Piedmont Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,051 during the early year of their career.
Central Piedmont Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Teaching Schools in North Carolina list.
The excellent programs at Haywood Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value teaching schools in North Carolina. Located in Clyde, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 101 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Haywood Community College are $8,724 per year. On average, students take out $12,587 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Haywood Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $28,357 during the early year of their career.
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina ranking. Guilford Technical Community College is located in Jamestown, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 157 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Guilford Technical Community College are $7,665 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,729 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Guilford Technical Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,854 during the early year of their career.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina ranking. FTCC is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 214 degrees to qualified students.
FTCC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,688 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,293 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, FTCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,325 during the early year of their career.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina ranking. Wake Technical Community College is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 213 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wake Technical Community College are $8,912 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,490 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Wake Technical Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,991 during the early year of their career.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #9 on the list. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Salisbury, North Carolina that handed out 127 degrees in 2020-2021.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,770 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,722 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,511 during the early year of their career.
Wilkes Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 52 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wilkes Community College are $8,716 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,507 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Wilkes Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,020 during the early year of their career.
Robeson Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina ranking. Robeson Community College is located in Lumberton, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Robeson Community College are $8,707 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,271 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Robeson Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $26,644 during the early year of their career.
Western Carolina University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 351 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCU are $8,367 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,228 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $198. Once they receive their degree, WCU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,924 during the early year of their career.
East Carolina University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, the large public school awarded 733 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ECU are $23,574 a year. On average, students take out $24,531 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $277 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from ECU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,403 during the early years of their career.
ECU excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools in North Carolina list.
Appalachian State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina list. Appalachian State is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 808 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Appalachian State are $23,017 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,113 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $224, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Appalachian State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,760 during the early year of their career.
Appalachian State did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Teaching Schools in North Carolina list.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina ranking. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a large public school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 914 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte are $20,622 per year. On average, students take out $24,912 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $193. During the early years of their career, UNC Charlotte graduates make an average of $46,346 annually.
Read full report on University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Winston - Salem State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #16 on the list. Winston - Salem State University is a medium-sized public school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 45 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WSSU are $16,903 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,735 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $111 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, WSSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,081 during the early year of their career.
University of North Carolina at Pembroke came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina ranking. UNC Pembroke is a medium-sized public school situated in Pembroke, North Carolina. It awarded 240 degrees in 2020-2021.
UNC Pembroke undergraduate students pay an average of $7,495 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,823 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $123, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNC Pembroke graduates make an average of $35,227 annually.
Read full report on University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Fayetteville State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina ranking. Fayetteville State University is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 83 degrees to qualified students.
Fayetteville State University undergraduate students pay an average of $16,987 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,780 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $87.After graduating from Fayetteville State University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,783 during the early years of their career.
University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #19 on the list. UNCW is a fairly large public school situated in Wilmington, North Carolina. It awarded 427 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNCW are $21,303 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,787 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $304, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNCW graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,326 during the early year of their career.
University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 421 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at UNC Greensboro are $22,627 a year. On average, students take out $24,759 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $174, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UNC Greensboro, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,140 during the early years of their career.
Elizabeth City State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for teaching students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 28 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ECSU are $7,326 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $27,491 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, ECSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,054 during the early year of their career.
North Carolina Central University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina list. This medium-sized public school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 100 degrees in 2020-2021.
North Carolina Central University undergraduate students pay an average of $19,351 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $34,797 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $169 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, North Carolina Central University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,008 during the early year of their career.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value teaching programs. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 244 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UNC Chapel Hill are $36,891 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,358 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $300, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UNC Chapel Hill graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,808 during the early year of their career.
UNC Chapel Hill excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Teaching Schools in North Carolina list.
North Carolina State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina list. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 607 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at NC State are $29,916 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,889 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $285. Once they receive their degree, NC State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,709 during the early year of their career.
NC State also claimed a spot on our Best Teaching Schools in North Carolina list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
North Carolina A & T State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Teaching Schools in North Carolina ranking. North Carolina A & T State University is a fairly large public school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 180 degrees in 2020-2021.
NC A&T undergraduate students pay an average of $20,243 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $30,266 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $143. Once they receive their degree, NC A&T graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,182 during the early year of their career.
Best Value Teaching Schools in the Southeast Region
View Best Value Teaching Schools Nationwide >
More North Carolina Rankings
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |