2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in North Carolina? Our ranking highlights 163 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Nursing Degree Search analyzed 74 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in North Carolina
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Mcdowell Technical Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in North Carolina. Set in Marion, NC, Mcdowell Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,032, with out-of-state students paying around $6,640. Mcdowell Technical Community College alumni report median earnings of $33,035 a decade after entry. Get the full Mcdowell Technical Community College report
You'll get strong value at Craven Community College, which ranked #2 this year. Craven Community College is a public school based in New Bern, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. The median Nursing program debt is $8,924. Craven Community College alumni report median earnings of $34,231 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,924 median debt. Get the full Craven Community College report
You'll get strong value at Pitt Community College, which ranked #3 this year. Based in Winterville, NC, Pitt Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,871, compared with $13,087 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $19,741. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,259. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Pitt Community College
You'll get strong value at South Piedmont Community College, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Polkton, NC, South Piedmont Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,022, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,098 in student loans. South Piedmont Community College alumni report median earnings of $37,308 a decade after entry. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full South Piedmont Community College report
A rank of #5 makes Forsyth Technical Community College one of the best values in North Carolina. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Forsyth Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,276, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Typical Nursing student debt is $16,374. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,139. That is a strong return on a $16,374 median debt. More on Forsyth Technical Community College
College Of The Albemarle came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in Elizabeth City, NC, College Of The Albemarle is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $10,240. College Of The Albemarle alumni report median earnings of $33,234 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about College Of The Albemarle
Vance Granville Community College placed #7 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Located in Henderson, NC, Vance Granville Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,944, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,833. Vance Granville Community College alumni report median earnings of $34,304 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt. Read more about Vance Granville Community College
Montgomery Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Montgomery Community College is a public school based in Troy, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,538, compared with $8,682 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $32,742. Get the full Montgomery Community College report
Alamance Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Based in Graham, NC, Alamance 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. Graduates carry a median of $6,625 in student loans. Median earnings reach $34,241 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt. Get the full Alamance Community College report
Durham Technical Community College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Durham, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Durham Technical Community College Nursing students take on a median of $20,408 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,142. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Durham Technical Community College profile
Brunswick Community College placed #11 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. This public school is set in Bolivia, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,553, while out-of-state students pay about $8,697. The median Nursing program debt is $5,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,668. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt. Read the full report on Brunswick Community College
Davidson County Community College placed #12 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Based in Thomasville, NC, Davidson County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,980, compared with $6,588 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $16,693. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,337. That is a strong return on a $16,693 median debt. More on Davidson County Community College
Guilford Technical Community College landed the #13 spot for value in North Carolina this year. This public school is set in Jamestown, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $20,501. Guilford Technical Community College alumni report median earnings of $33,934 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,501 median debt. Read more about Guilford Technical Community College
Gaston College placed #14 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. This public school is set in Dallas, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, while out-of-state students pay about $9,330. Gaston College Nursing students take on a median of $10,915 in debt. Median earnings reach $35,386 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,915 median debt. Read more about Gaston College
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Based in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,865. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt. Get the full Central Piedmont Community College report
Surry Community College placed #16 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Based 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. The median Nursing program debt is $9,537. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,012. Set against $9,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Surry Community College profile
Richmond Community College placed #17 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Located in Hamlet, NC, Richmond Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,564. Typical Nursing student debt is $8,407. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $29,951. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Richmond Community College
Bladen Community College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Dublin, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,314 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,905 to complete their Nursing program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $30,591. That is a strong return on a $9,905 median debt. Read more about Bladen Community College
Central Carolina Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Central Carolina Community College is a public school based in Sanford, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical Nursing student debt is $10,266. Central Carolina Community College alumni report median earnings of $33,525 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Central Carolina Community College profile
Johnston Community College came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Smithfield, NC, Johnston Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,756, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Johnston Community College Nursing students take on a median of $9,490 in debt. 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. More on Johnston Community College
Catawba Valley Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Hickory, NC, Catawba Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,427, while out-of-state students pay about $7,803. Students borrow a median of $9,842 to complete their Nursing program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,977. That is a strong return on a $9,842 median debt. More on Catawba Valley Community College
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Set in Salisbury, NC, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $34,936. Set against $10,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Rowan Cabarrus Community College report
Wilson Community College placed #23 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Set in Wilson, NC, Wilson Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Wilson Community College Nursing students take on a median of $15,846 in debt. Median earnings reach $32,973 ten years out. Set against $15,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Wilson Community College report
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College landed the #24 spot for value in North Carolina this year. This public school is set in Asheville, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,882, while out-of-state students pay about $9,026. Typical Nursing student debt is $18,883. Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,048 a decade after entry. Set against $18,883 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a public school based in Fayetteville, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Fayetteville Technical Community College Nursing students take on a median of $16,909 in debt. Fayetteville Technical Community College alumni report median earnings of $31,861 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,909 median debt. More on Fayetteville Technical Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in North Carolina
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Lenoir Community College placed #26 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Set in Kinston, NC, Lenoir Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,578, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. The median Nursing program debt is $9,984. Median earnings reach $33,866 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,984 median debt. Read the full report on Lenoir Community College
Wayne Community College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Wayne Community College is a public school based in Goldsboro, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,566, with out-of-state students paying around $8,710. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,148 ten years after entry. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Wayne Community College
Wake Technical Community College placed #28 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,254, compared with $6,862 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $17,900. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,769. That is a strong return on a $17,900 median debt. More on Wake Technical Community College
Cleveland Community College placed #29 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Located in Shelby, NC, Cleveland Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $7,131. Cleveland Community College alumni report median earnings of $33,755 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Cleveland Community College profile
Robeson Community College placed #30 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Robeson Community College is a public school based in Lumberton, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Robeson Community College Nursing students take on a median of $9,949 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $29,036. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt. Get the full Robeson Community College report
Isothermal Community College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Set in Spindale, NC, Isothermal Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,030, with out-of-state students paying around $6,638. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete their Nursing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,325 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Isothermal Community College
Beaufort County Community College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Washington, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,540, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $7,947 to complete their Nursing program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $32,519. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt. Get the full Beaufort County Community College report
Southeastern Community College Whiteville offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Whiteville, NC, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,600, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Typical Nursing student debt is $10,188. Southeastern Community College Whiteville alumni report median earnings of $30,284 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,188 median debt. See the full Southeastern Community College Whiteville profile
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Located in Hudson, NC, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,528 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,528. Graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,515. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute
Southwestern Community College Sylva landed the #35 spot for value in North Carolina this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a public school based in Sylva, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, with out-of-state students paying around $13,184. Southwestern Community College Sylva Nursing students take on a median of $13,708 in debt. Median earnings reach $34,145 ten years out. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Southwestern Community College Sylva
Piedmont Community College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Located in Roxboro, NC, Piedmont Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,556, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,274 ten years after entry. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Piedmont Community College report
Mitchell Community College placed #37 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Located in Statesville, NC, Mitchell Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,651, while out-of-state students pay about $8,795. Students borrow a median of $6,313 to complete their Nursing program here. Median earnings reach $33,298 ten years out. Set against $6,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Mitchell Community College
Cape Fear Community College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Located in Wilmington, NC, Cape Fear Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,748, with out-of-state students paying around $8,892. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete their Nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Cape Fear Community College
Sandhills Community College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Based in Pinehurst, NC, Sandhills Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Sandhills Community College Nursing students take on a median of $9,238 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Sandhills Community College
Western Piedmont Community College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Western Piedmont Community College is a public school based in Morganton, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,650, with out-of-state students paying around $8,794. Western Piedmont Community College Nursing students take on a median of $11,999 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,195 ten years after entry. Set against $11,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Western Piedmont Community College
Coastal Carolina Community College came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Set in Jacksonville, NC, Coastal Carolina Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,512, compared with $8,656 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $7,125 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,444. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Coastal Carolina Community College
Sampson Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. This public school is set in Clinton, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, compared with $9,789 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $12,596. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,409. Set against $12,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Sampson Community College
Wilkes Community College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Set in Wilkesboro, NC, Wilkes Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete their Nursing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,728 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt. Get the full Wilkes Community College report
Carteret Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Carteret Community College is a public school based in Morehead City, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, compared with $8,222 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $5,566. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,357 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Carteret Community College
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. This public school is set in Flat Rock, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,660, compared with $8,804 for out-of-state students. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock Nursing students take on a median of $16,252 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,324. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt. More on Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock
Haywood Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Based in Clyde, NC, Haywood Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,724. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,770. See the full Haywood Community College profile
Nash Community College placed #47 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Based in Rocky Mount, NC, Nash Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,866, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Nash Community College Nursing students take on a median of $16,969 in debt. Median earnings reach $34,912 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $16,969 median debt. See the full Nash Community College profile
Edgecombe Community College placed #48 among the best-value Nursing schools in North Carolina. Located in Tarboro, NC, Edgecombe Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $8,784. Students borrow a median of $22,153 to complete their Nursing program here. Edgecombe Community College alumni report median earnings of $33,267 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Edgecombe Community College
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Located in Pembroke, NC, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. The median Nursing program debt is $27,089. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,407 ten years after entry. Set against $27,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Pembroke report
Western Carolina University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Western Carolina University is a public school based in Cullowhee, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete their Nursing program here. Western Carolina University alumni report median earnings of $49,458 a decade after entry. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%. Get the full Western Carolina University report
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 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 · 74 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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