Value Analysis · North Carolina
Best Value Degrees in North Carolina (2026)
Top 100 of 733 programs in North Carolina · Updated 2026
The best college programs in North Carolina, ranked by overall value. We scored 733 programs across North Carolina schools on earnings, AI resilience, job demand, and tuition ROI. The top programs average $67,664/yr in graduate earnings.
UNC's Research Triangle Advantage
UNC-Chapel Hill’s #1 rank isn’t just about prestige; it’s about geography. Located at the heart of the Research Triangle Park (RTP), its Computer Science graduates have a direct pipeline to high-paying jobs at tech giants like IBM, Cisco, and SAS. This powerful combination of world-class academics and immediate access to a dense hub of tech employers is why its graduates command average starting salaries of $90,293, securing a top-tier return on their investment.
The ROI Upset: How Fayetteville State Earned its #2 Spot
Fayetteville State University’s #2 ranking is the biggest surprise, and it reveals a crucial lesson about value. With an astronomical 54.3x ROI, the story isn't about chasing the highest possible salary, but the highest return on your dollar. By pairing an extremely low four-year tuition of just $15,876 with a high-demand nursing degree that yields solid $73,448/yr earnings, this HBCU provides one of the state's most powerful paths to economic mobility.
AI Won't Replace You, But It Will Reshape Your First Job
The high AI risk scores (61% for CS, 43% for Nursing) signal a fundamental shift in entry-level work. For computer science majors, AI is automating routine coding, meaning you’ll be expected to tackle system design and complex problem-solving from day one. In nursing, AI will act as an administrative assistant, handling charting and data analysis to free you up for the irreplaceable human tasks of patient care and critical decision-making.
North Carolina's Public School Stranglehold on Value
The fact that all top 20 programs are at public universities is no accident. It’s the direct result of North Carolina's massive, long-term investment in the UNC System, which heavily subsidizes tuition to keep costs low. This strategy creates an unbeatable value proposition, where flagship schools like UNC and regional powerhouses like UNC Pembroke (52.0x ROI) deliver elite outcomes for a fraction of the cost of private competitors.
Programs in NC
733
Avg Earnings (Top 100)
$67,664/yr
Avg DW Score
78/100
#1 Program
Computer Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Top Institutions
Leading the field for Best Degrees in North Carolina
The top four programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Full ranking of 100 programs below.
The Ranking Matrix
Top Programs in North Carolina
Top 100 programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full analysis.
Sort by
| # | Program | DW Score | Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Computer Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
|
90
83–91
|
$90,293/yr | Very High | 33.8x |
| 2 |
Nursing
Fayetteville State University · Fayetteville, NC
|
89
86–88
|
$73,448/yr | High | 54.3x |
| 3 |
Computer Science
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
89
82–90
|
$85,809/yr | Very High | 30.3x |
| 4 |
Nursing
Winston-Salem State University · Winston-Salem, NC
|
88
85–88
|
$72,639/yr | High | 32.1x |
| 5 |
Information Sciences
East Carolina University · Greenville, NC
|
87
81–88
|
$69,442/yr | Very High | 34.1x |
| 6 |
Computer Science
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
87
79–88
|
$81,174/yr | Very High | 29.2x |
| 7 |
Business Administration
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
|
87
83–87
|
$85,618/yr | High | 33.9x |
| 8 |
Nursing
North Carolina Central University · Durham, NC
|
87
84–87
|
$76,142/yr | High | 29.2x |
| 9 |
Nursing
University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
|
87
84–87
|
$74,463/yr | High | 26.3x |
| 10 |
Nursing
University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Pembroke, NC
|
87
84–87
|
$73,906/yr | High | 52.0x |
| 11 |
Computer Science
Appalachian State University · Boone, NC
|
86
80–88
|
$68,675/yr | Very High | 33.0x |
| 12 |
Nursing
East Carolina University · Greenville, NC
|
86
83–86
|
$72,051/yr | High | 25.0x |
| 13 |
Computer Science
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
86
79–87
|
$67,704/yr | Very High | 31.4x |
| 14 |
Nursing
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
86
84–86
|
$73,445/yr | High | 25.9x |
| 15 |
Computer Science
University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC
|
86
79–87
|
$67,781/yr | Very High | 33.5x |
| 16 |
Computer Engineering
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
86
79–88
|
$82,997/yr | Very High | 30.2x |
| 17 |
Computer Science
University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
|
86
79–87
|
$66,977/yr | Very High | 32.6x |
| 18 |
Nursing
Appalachian State University · Boone, NC
|
85
83–85
|
$69,420/yr | High | 24.2x |
| 19 |
Computer Science
East Carolina University · Greenville, NC
|
85
78–86
|
$65,958/yr | Very High | 29.3x |
| 20 |
Information Science
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
|
85
79–86
|
$75,834/yr | Very High | 27.5x |
| 21 |
Nursing
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
|
85
82–85
|
$71,594/yr | High | 20.4x |
| 22 |
Nursing
University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC
|
85
83–85
|
$68,115/yr | High | 25.1x |
| 23 |
Nursing
Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC
|
85
83–85
|
$68,774/yr | High | 39.2x |
| 24 |
Nursing
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
84
81–84
|
$73,368/yr | High | 23.4x |
| 25 |
Computer Engineering
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
84
78–86
|
$71,117/yr | Very High | 34.8x |
| 26 |
Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
North Carolina Central University · Durham, NC
|
84
82–84
|
$62,022/yr | High | 34.4x |
| 27 |
Finance
Appalachian State University · Boone, NC
|
82
80–84
|
$52,004/yr | Very High | 28.2x |
| 28 |
Economics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
|
82
78–83
|
$65,344/yr | Very High | 25.9x |
| 29 |
Accounting
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
82
79–84
|
$56,606/yr | Very High | 22.5x |
| 30 |
Nursing
Chamberlain University-North Carolina · Charlotte, NC
|
82
79–82
|
$83,188/yr | High | 10.8x |
| 31 |
Accounting
Appalachian State University · Boone, NC
|
81
78–83
|
$55,671/yr | Very High | 24.9x |
| 32 |
Nursing
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences · Concord, NC
|
81
79–81
|
$73,944/yr | High | 12.0x |
| 33 |
Finance
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
81
78–82
|
$51,628/yr | Very High | 26.1x |
| 34 |
Information Sciences
Strayer University-North Carolina · Greensboro, NC
|
81
75–82
|
$67,315/yr | Very High | 14.0x |
| 35 |
Nursing
South University-High Point · High Point, NC
|
81
78–81
|
$77,635/yr | High | 10.0x |
| 36 |
Computer Science
Duke University · Durham, NC
|
80
74–81
|
$133,356/yr | Very High | 6.7x |
| 37 |
Finance
East Carolina University · Greenville, NC
|
80
78–82
|
$51,501/yr | Very High | 25.3x |
| 38 |
Computer Science
University of North Carolina Asheville · Asheville, NC
|
80
74–81
|
$48,076/yr | Very High | 30.5x |
| 39 |
Accounting
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
80
77–82
|
$50,928/yr | Very High | 26.1x |
| 40 |
Accounting
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
79
76–81
|
$50,736/yr | Very High | 26.1x |
| 41 |
Business Administration
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
79
73–80
|
$56,877/yr | High | 21.8x |
| 42 |
Information Science
Strayer University-North Carolina · Greensboro, NC
|
79
73–80
|
$71,167/yr | Very High | 14.7x |
| 43 |
Construction Management
Appalachian State University · Boone, NC
|
78
76–79
|
$59,809/yr | High | 24.5x |
| 44 |
Nursing
University of Mount Olive · Mount Olive, NC
|
78
75–78
|
$81,493/yr | High | 7.6x |
| 45 |
Applied Mathematics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
|
78
74–79
|
$75,105/yr | Very High | 31.8x |
| 46 |
Finance
Wake Forest University · Winston-Salem, NC
|
78
75–80
|
$85,944/yr | Very High | 4.4x |
| 47 |
Public Policy
Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC
|
77
73–78
|
$56,445/yr | High | 32.8x |
| 48 |
Computer Engineering
Duke University · Durham, NC
|
76
71–77
|
$111,145/yr | Very High | 5.6x |
| 49 |
Economics
Duke University · Durham, NC
|
76
72–77
|
$98,649/yr | Very High | 5.5x |
| 50 |
Accounting
East Carolina University · Greenville, NC
|
76
73–77
|
$48,351/yr | Very High | 21.2x |
| 51 |
Computer Science
Fayetteville State University · Fayetteville, NC
|
76
69–77
|
$50,940/yr | Very High | 36.9x |
| 52 |
Electrical Engineering
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
76
72–77
|
$81,213/yr | Very High | 32.1x |
| 53 |
Industrial Engineering
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
76
73–76
|
$83,427/yr | High | 33.1x |
| 54 |
Accounting
University of North Carolina Asheville · Asheville, NC
|
76
73–78
|
$53,705/yr | Very High | 19.5x |
| 55 |
Information Sciences
North Carolina Central University · Durham, NC
|
76
70–77
|
$74,597/yr | Very High | 27.5x |
| 56 |
Chemical Engineering
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
76
73–77
|
$81,492/yr | High | 28.1x |
| 57 |
Business Administration
University of North Carolina Wilmington · Wilmington, NC
|
76
70–77
|
$48,369/yr | High | 24.7x |
| 58 |
Information Sciences
University of North Carolina at Pembroke · Pembroke, NC
|
76
72–77
|
$45,532/yr | Very High | 46.9x |
| 59 |
Computer Science
Wake Forest University · Winston-Salem, NC
|
76
69–77
|
$75,625/yr | Very High | 4.4x |
| 60 |
Finance
Elon University · Elon, NC
|
75
72–76
|
$66,614/yr | Very High | 5.0x |
| 61 |
Chemical Engineering
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
75
72–76
|
$78,323/yr | High | 31.3x |
| 62 |
Mechanical Engineering
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
75
72–76
|
$72,278/yr | Very High | 31.4x |
| 63 |
Allied Health Professions
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
75
75–75
|
$67,997/yr | Moderate | 25.4x |
| 64 |
Accounting
North Carolina Central University · Durham, NC
|
75
73–77
|
$48,489/yr | Very High | 22.7x |
| 65 |
Aerospace Engineering
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
75
73–75
|
$70,820/yr | High | 25.5x |
| 66 |
Electrical Engineering
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
75
72–77
|
$77,687/yr | Very High | 26.5x |
| 67 |
Industrial Engineering
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
75
73–76
|
$81,055/yr | High | 26.1x |
| 68 |
Accounting
Elon University · Elon, NC
|
74
71–76
|
$69,764/yr | Very High | 4.8x |
| 69 |
Nursing
Lees-McRae College · Banner Elk, NC
|
74
72–74
|
$69,776/yr | High | 5.6x |
| 70 |
IT Management
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
74
69–76
|
$72,961/yr | Very High | 26.0x |
| 71 |
Computer Engineering
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
74
67–75
|
$80,685/yr | Very High | 28.9x |
| 72 |
Electrical Engineering
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
74
71–75
|
$72,167/yr | Very High | 30.2x |
| 73 |
Mechanical Engineering
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
74
71–75
|
$69,178/yr | Very High | 28.6x |
| 74 |
International Business
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
74
68–75
|
$53,036/yr | Very High | 22.1x |
| 75 |
Civil Engineering
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
74
72–75
|
$70,346/yr | High | 22.9x |
| 76 |
Mechanical Engineering
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
74
71–75
|
$69,078/yr | Very High | 24.6x |
| 77 |
Computer Science
Winston-Salem State University · Winston-Salem, NC
|
74
67–75
|
$50,927/yr | Very High | 20.6x |
| 78 |
International Business
Appalachian State University · Boone, NC
|
73
67–73
|
$43,989/yr | Very High | 25.4x |
| 79 |
Fire Protection
Fayetteville State University · Fayetteville, NC
|
73
66–73
|
$67,586/yr | Moderate | 50.4x |
| 80 |
Nursing
Gardner-Webb University · Boiling Springs, NC
|
73
71–73
|
$71,337/yr | High | 5.0x |
| 81 |
Civil Engineering
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
73
71–75
|
$70,474/yr | High | 27.2x |
| 82 |
Mathematics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC
|
73
68–75
|
$53,402/yr | Very High | 27.3x |
| 83 |
Civil Engineering
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
73
71–75
|
$67,934/yr | High | 26.7x |
| 84 |
Systems Engineering
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
73
69–74
|
$68,034/yr | Very High | 29.9x |
| 85 |
Business Administration
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
73
67–73
|
$46,272/yr | High | 21.2x |
| 86 |
Accounting
University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC
|
73
71–75
|
$47,207/yr | Very High | 19.0x |
| 87 |
Management Science
Appalachian State University · Boone, NC
|
72
68–72
|
$56,340/yr | Very High | 17.7x |
| 88 |
Business Administration
East Carolina University · Greenville, NC
|
72
66–73
|
$45,497/yr | High | 20.9x |
| 89 |
Information Sciences
University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC
|
72
66–73
|
$60,639/yr | Very High | 20.0x |
| 90 |
Biomedical Engineering
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
72
69–73
|
$74,016/yr | High | 26.9x |
| 91 |
Insurance
Appalachian State University · Boone, NC
|
71
69–72
|
$55,611/yr | Very High | 25.6x |
| 92 |
Economics
East Carolina University · Greenville, NC
|
71
68–72
|
$46,425/yr | Very High | 20.7x |
| 93 |
Nursing
Methodist University · Fayetteville, NC
|
71
68–70
|
$70,746/yr | High | 3.8x |
| 94 |
Business Administration
North Carolina A & T State University · Greensboro, NC
|
71
65–72
|
$45,114/yr | High | 21.3x |
| 95 |
Engineering
University of North Carolina Asheville · Asheville, NC
|
71
69–72
|
$73,410/yr | High | 29.7x |
| 96 |
Computer Networking
University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC
|
71
66–72
|
$48,077/yr | Very High | 18.9x |
| 97 |
Business Economics
North Carolina State University at Raleigh · Raleigh, NC
|
71
68–73
|
$60,369/yr | Very High | 21.7x |
| 98 |
Business
Wake Forest University · Winston-Salem, NC
|
71
67–71
|
$76,722/yr | High | 3.1x |
| 99 |
Nursing
Wingate University · Wingate, NC
|
71
68–70
|
$68,877/yr | High | 3.8x |
| 100 |
Finance
Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC
|
71
73–72
|
$40,575/yr | Very High | 34.7x |
FAQ
Frequently asked
What is the best college program in North Carolina?
By DegreeOutlook Score, Computer Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks #1 in North Carolina with a score of 90/100 and graduate earnings of $90,293/yr.
How many college programs are in North Carolina?
Our database includes 733 programs across North Carolina colleges with reported earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education.