2026 Best Value Computer Science Schools in North Carolina
Looking for the best-value Computer Science degree programs in North Carolina? We have ranked 163 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Computer Science Degree evaluated 22 schools to build 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 Computer Science Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Wake Technical Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Computer Science degree schools in North Carolina. Set in Raleigh, NC, Wake Technical Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Graduates carry a median of $17,900 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,769. Set against $17,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Wake Technical Community College
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The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #2 place in North Carolina. Located in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical Computer Science student debt is $11,861. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,865. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt. More on Central Piedmont Community College
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The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rowan Cabarrus Community College earned it the #3 place in North Carolina. Set in Salisbury, NC, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,064, while out-of-state students pay about $6,672. Students borrow a median of $10,867 to complete their Computer Science program here. Rowan Cabarrus Community College alumni report median earnings of $34,936 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,867 median debt. Read more about Rowan Cabarrus Community College
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Guilford Technical Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Computer Science ranking in North Carolina. This public school is set in Jamestown, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,696. Graduates carry a median of $20,501 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,934 ten years after entry. Set against $20,501 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Guilford Technical Community College
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The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College earned it the #5 place in North Carolina. This public school is set in Asheville, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,882, compared with $9,026 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,883 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,048 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College report
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University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #6 spot for value in North Carolina this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Computer Science students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill alumni report median earnings of $72,200 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
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University Of North Carolina At Pembroke placed #7 among the best-value Computer Science schools in North Carolina. Located in Pembroke, NC, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Typical Computer Science student debt is $27,089. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,407. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
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University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Greensboro, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete their Computer Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of North Carolina At Greensboro profile
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East Carolina University offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Set in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. The median Computer Science program debt is $24,747. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,146 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. Read more about East Carolina University
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Appalachian State University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Appalachian State University is a public school based in Boone, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,836. Set against $21,992 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Appalachian State University
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North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #11 spot for value in North Carolina this year. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical Computer Science student debt is $22,113. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,758 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 42%. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
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University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Set in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete their Computer Science program here. Median earnings reach $57,289 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
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North Carolina A And T State University placed #13 among the best-value Computer Science schools in North Carolina. Located in Greensboro, NC, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. The median Computer Science program debt is $29,078. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,440. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%. More on North Carolina A And T State University
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University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. This public school is set in Wilmington, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical Computer Science student debt is $23,013. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington has an acceptance rate of 64%. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Wilmington report
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Fayetteville State University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Located in Fayetteville, NC, Fayetteville State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,869 to complete their Computer Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,144. That is a strong return on a $27,869 median debt. About 82% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Fayetteville State University profile
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Winston Salem State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Winston Salem State University is a public school based in Winston-Salem, NC. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winston Salem State University has an acceptance rate of 78%. More on Winston Salem State University
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North Carolina Central University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. This public school is set in Durham, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Typical Computer Science student debt is $31,173. Median earnings reach $42,968 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $31,173 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read more about North Carolina Central University
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Strayer University North Carolina came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This private for-profit school is set in Greensboro, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,920. The median Computer Science program debt is $47,631. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,092. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Strayer University North Carolina
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Duke University landed the #19 spot for value in North Carolina this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical Computer Science student debt is $13,296. Median earnings reach $97,800 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants. See the full Duke University profile
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Wake Forest University landed the #20 spot for value in North Carolina this year. Wake Forest University is a private not-for-profit school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $78,158. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted. More on Wake Forest University
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Campbell University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Buies Creek, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,600. Typical Computer Science student debt is $23,641. Median earnings reach $54,886 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Campbell University
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Guilford College placed #22 among the best-value Computer Science schools in North Carolina. Guilford College is a private not-for-profit school based in Greensboro, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,362. Typical Computer Science student debt is $26,571. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,590. Set against $26,571 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Guilford College admits about 80% of applicants. More on Guilford College
Request InformationPfeiffer University placed #23 among the best-value Computer Science schools in North Carolina. Get the full Pfeiffer University report
Request InformationDurham Technical Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. See the full Durham Technical Community College profile
Request InformationElizabeth City State University placed #25 among the best-value Computer Science schools in North Carolina. See the full Elizabeth City State University profile
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Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Isothermal Community College landed the #26 spot for value in North Carolina this year. See the full Isothermal Community College profile
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Montreat College
Montreat College placed #27 among the best-value Computer Science schools in North Carolina. Get the full Montreat College report
Request InformationNo Grease Barber School placed #28 among the best-value Computer Science schools in North Carolina. Read the full report on No Grease Barber School
Request InformationTri County Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. See the full Tri County Community College profile
Request InformationMethodist University landed the #30 spot for value in North Carolina this year. More on Methodist University
Request InformationEmpire Beauty School Winston Salem landed the #31 spot for value in North Carolina this year. See the full Empire Beauty School Winston Salem profile
Request InformationPaul Mitchell The School Fayetteville offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Paul Mitchell The School Fayetteville
Request InformationBelmont Abbey College landed the #33 spot for value in North Carolina this year. See the full Belmont Abbey College profile
Request InformationAveda Institute Chapel Hill came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Aveda Institute Chapel Hill report
Request InformationRandolph Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full Randolph Community College profile
Request InformationCoastal Carolina Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read more about Coastal Carolina Community College
Request InformationEmpire Beauty School West Greensboro landed the #37 spot for value in North Carolina this year. Get the full Empire Beauty School West Greensboro report
Request InformationCarolina College Of Hair Design offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read more about Carolina College Of Hair Design
Request InformationHalifax Community College placed #39 among the best-value Computer Science schools in North Carolina. Read more about Halifax Community College
Request InformationWinston Salem Barber School placed #40 among the best-value Computer Science schools in North Carolina. See the full Winston Salem Barber School profile
Request InformationCleveland Community College ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. More on Cleveland Community College
Request InformationHood Theological Seminary placed #42 among the best-value Computer Science schools in North Carolina. Read more about Hood Theological Seminary
Request InformationNorth Carolina Wesleyan College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Get the full North Carolina Wesleyan College report
Request InformationGreensboro College landed the #44 spot for value in North Carolina this year. Get the full Greensboro College report
Request InformationPaul Mitchell The School Raleigh offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full Paul Mitchell The School Raleigh report
Request InformationHeritage Bible College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Heritage Bible College
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Gwinnett College
Gwinnett College offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Gwinnett College report
Request InformationMiller Motte College Raleigh offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. See the full Miller Motte College Raleigh profile
Request InformationCaldwell Community College And Technical Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute
Request InformationSouth Piedmont Community College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Computer Science schools. Read the full report on South Piedmont Community College
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Computer Science Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · 22 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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