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Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina

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2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices

74 Schools Ranked
$7,955 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$21,909 Avg Student Debt*

With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Our analysis looked at 74 schools in North Carolina to see which programs offered the best value experiences for nursing 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. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

Top Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

McDowell Technical Community College

Marion, North Carolina
59 Total Awards
$6,534 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,313 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named McDowell Technical Community College the best value school in North Carolina for nursing students working on their degree. McDowell Technical Community College is a small public school situated in Marion, North Carolina. It awarded 59 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at McDowell Technical Community College are $6,534 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,313 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, McDowell Technical Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,918 during the early year of their career.

Full McDowell Technical Community College Report

#2

Craven Community College

New Bern, North Carolina
43 Total Awards
$6,630 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,708 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Craven Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. New Bern, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.

Craven Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,630 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,708 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Craven Community College graduates make an average of $36,426 annually.

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#3

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
113 Total Awards
$6,548 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,943 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pitt Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Pitt Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Winterville, North Carolina. It awarded 113 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. Once they receive their degree, Pitt Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,276 during the early year of their career.

Full Pitt Community College Report

#4

South Piedmont Community College

Polkton, North Carolina
31 Total Awards
$6,623 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,061 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Piedmont Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. This small public school is located in Polkton, North Carolina, and it awarded 31 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at South Piedmont Community College are $6,623 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,061 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from South Piedmont Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,106 during the early years of their career.

Full South Piedmont Community College Report

#5

Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
183 Total Awards
$7,168 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Forsyth Technical Community College is a great place for nursing students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. This medium-sized public school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 183 degrees in 2020-2021.

Forsyth Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $7,168 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,427 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Forsyth Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,071 during the early years of their career.

Full Forsyth Technical Community College Report

#6

College of the Albemarle

Elizabeth City, North Carolina
50 Total Awards
$7,346 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,742 Avg Student Debt

College of the Albemarle came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. College of the Albemarle is located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at College of the Albemarle are $7,346 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,742 in student loans. During the early years of their career, College of the Albemarle graduates make an average of $34,212 annually.

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#7

Vance-Granville Community College

Henderson, North Carolina
69 Total Awards
$6,552 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,175 Avg Student Debt

Vance-Granville Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Henderson, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 69 degrees in 2020-2021.

Vance-Granville Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,552 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,175 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Vance-Granville Community College graduates make an average of $33,291 annually.

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#8

Montgomery Community College

Troy, North Carolina
19 Total Awards
$8,682 Average Tuition & Fees

Montgomery Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list. Montgomery Community College is a very small public school located in Troy, North Carolina that handed out 19 degrees in 2020-2021.

MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,682 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,407 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,328 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Alamance Community College

Graham, North Carolina
38 Total Awards
$8,070 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,359 Avg Student Debt

Alamance Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. ACC is a small public school situated in Graham, North Carolina. It awarded 38 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ACC are $8,070 per year. On average, students take out $13,359 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, ACC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,251 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Alamance Community College

#10

Durham Technical Community College

Durham, North Carolina
59 Total Awards
$7,479 Average Tuition & Fees
$24,829 Avg Student Debt

Durham Technical Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Durham Technical Community College is a public institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 59 degrees in 2020-2021.

Durham Technical Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,479 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,829 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Durham Technical Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,666 during the early years of their career.

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#11

Brunswick Community College

Bolivia, North Carolina
34 Total Awards
$8,676 Average Tuition & Fees

Brunswick Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Brunswick Community College is located in Bolivia, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 degrees to qualified students.

Brunswick Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,676 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $12,698 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Brunswick Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,159 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Brunswick Community College

#12

Davidson County Community College

Thomasville, North Carolina
230 Total Awards
$7,658 Average Tuition & Fees
$20,075 Avg Student Debt

Davidson County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Thomasville, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 230 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

DCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,658 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,075 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, DCCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,670 during the early year of their career.

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#13

Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, North Carolina
86 Total Awards
$7,665 Average Tuition & Fees
$22,729 Avg Student Debt

Guilford Technical Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Guilford Technical Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Jamestown, North Carolina. It awarded 86 degrees in 2020-2021.

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.

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#14

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
543 Total Awards
$9,006 Average Tuition & Fees

Gaston College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Dallas, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 543 students in 2020-2021.

Gaston College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,006 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $12,298 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Gaston College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,146 during the early years of their career.

In addition to its great value ranking, Gaston College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina list.

Full Gaston College Report

#15

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
102 Total Awards
$8,936 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 102 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Piedmont Community College are $8,936 per 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.

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#16

Surry Community College

Dobson, North Carolina
65 Total Awards
$8,807 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,403 Avg Student Debt

Surry Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Dobson, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 65 degrees in 2020-2021.

Surry Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,807 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,403 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Surry Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,152 during the early year of their career.

Full Surry Community College Report

#17

Richmond Community College

Hamlet, North Carolina
69 Total Awards
$8,680 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,348 Avg Student Debt

Richmond Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Richmond Community College is a small public school located in Hamlet, North Carolina that handed out 69 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Richmond Community College are $8,680 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $10,348 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Richmond Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,533 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Richmond Community College

#18

Bladen Community College

Dublin, North Carolina
64 Total Awards
$7,630 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,456 Avg Student Debt

Bladen Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Dublin, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 64 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BCC are $7,630 a year. On average, students take out $13,456 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from BCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,398 during the early years of their career.

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#19

Central Carolina Community College

Sanford, North Carolina
39 Total Awards
$8,698 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,177 Avg Student Debt

Central Carolina Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Sanford, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 39 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Carolina Community College are $8,698 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,177 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Central Carolina Community College graduates make an average of $30,791 annually.

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#20

Johnston Community College

Smithfield, North Carolina
53 Total Awards
$8,801 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,881 Avg Student Debt

Johnston Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Smithfield, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Johnston Community College are $8,801 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,881 in student loans.After graduating from Johnston Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,166 during the early years of their career.

Full Johnston Community College Report

#21

Catawba Valley Community College

Hickory, North Carolina
50 Total Awards
$7,743 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,197 Avg Student Debt

Catawba Valley Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. CVCC is a public institution located in Hickory, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 50 degrees in 2020-2021.

CVCC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,743 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,197 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CVCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,199 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Catawba Valley Community College

#22

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Salisbury, North Carolina
104 Total Awards
$8,770 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,722 Avg Student Debt

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Salisbury, North Carolina, and it awarded 104 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.After graduating from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,511 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

#23

Wilson Community College

Wilson, North Carolina
65 Total Awards
$8,716 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,861 Avg Student Debt

Wilson Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list. WCC is a public institution located in Wilson, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 65 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCC are $8,716 per year. On average, students take out $16,861 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, WCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,699 during the early year of their career.

Full Wilson Community College Report

102 Total Awards
$8,776 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,023 Avg Student Debt

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list. A-B Tech is a public institution located in Asheville, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 102 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at A-B Tech are $8,776 a year. On average, students take out $18,023 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from A-B Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,962 during the early years of their career.

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#25

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville, North Carolina
147 Total Awards
$8,688 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,293 Avg Student Debt

Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school handed out 147 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at FTCC are $8,688 a year. On average, students take out $18,293 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, FTCC graduates make an average of $32,325 annually.

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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.

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