Rankings / By State
Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
- 49
- Schools
- $43,172
- Avg. Earnings
- 48%
- Avg. Graduation
- $14,216
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,759
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $29,036 at the low end to $81,400 at the top. That 2.8× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Durham Technical Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $36,142 against $1,664 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Durham Technical Community College, at $1,664 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Davidson College graduates 91% of its students, well above the 48% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Central Piedmont Community College: graduates owe only 0.21× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Durham Technical Community College ($1,664/yr) and Elon University ($41,555/yr) produce graduates earning $36,142 and $74,545 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $39,891 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Durham Technical Community College outperforms Davidson College: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Davidson College graduates 91% of its students versus 28% at Bladen Community College. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Durham Technical Community College and Davidson College. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $43K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Davidson College #1 overall | $81,400 ▲ +89% vs avg | $17,379 | 91% | 79 |
| 2 Appalachian State University #2 overall | $51,836 ▲ +20% vs avg | $16,836 | 74% | 74 |
| 3 University of Mount Olive #3 overall | $47,139 ▲ +9% vs avg | $18,853 | 50% | 73 |
| $55,146 ▲ +28% vs avg | $15,739 | 62% | 72 | |
| $54,967 ▲ +27% vs avg | $20,109 | 71% | 72 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
This analysis ranks 49 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $43,172 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 48% and an average net price of $14,216.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Durham Technical Community College — Net Price: $1,664 | Graduation Rate: 40%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Davidson College — 91% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Davidson College — Median alumni earnings: $81,400
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Educator Pipeline Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the educator pipeline?
$43,188
Median earnings (10yr)
47%
Median graduation rate
$13,315
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Society needs more teachers than it is producing, yet pay and working conditions make retention a persistent problem. Education programs are the gateway to the profession. The best of them pair pedagogical training with strong clinical practice and placement networks that keep graduates in the profession.
The median graduation rate across these 49 schools is 47%. Median graduate earnings reach $43,188 ten years after enrollment. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $13,315 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $22,923. Some 37% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.4%.
In education, low debt matters as much as a solid paycheck. Graduates earn a median of $43,188 against a typical net price of $13,315. That ratio makes cost-conscious program selection essential in a profession with modest pay and a public mission.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Davidson College lands at #1 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $81,400 a decade after enrolling, 89% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,379 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Appalachian State University lands at #2 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $51,836 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,836 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Mount Olive lands at #3 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $47,139 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,853 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
East Carolina University lands at #4 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $55,146 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,739 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Wilmington, NC · 64% accepted · $20,109 net
Why it ranks #5
University of North Carolina Wilmington lands at #5 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $54,967 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,109 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Catawba College lands at #6 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $48,793 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,879 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Western Carolina University lands at #7 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $49,458 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,315 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Elon University lands at #8 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $74,545 a decade after enrolling, 73% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,555 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Greensboro, NC · 89% accepted · $10,965 net
Why it ranks #9
University of North Carolina at Greensboro lands at #9 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $48,160 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,965 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Elizabeth City State University lands at #10 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,026 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,364 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Wingate University lands at #11 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $52,649 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,748 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Forsyth Technical Community College lands at #12 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (61/100). Graduates earn a median $34,139 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,200 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Lees-McRae College lands at #13 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $43,415 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,340 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Campbell University lands at #14 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $54,886 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,516 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
William Peace University lands at #15 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $46,643 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,649 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Wilson Community College lands at #16 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (59/100). Graduates earn a median $32,973 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,064 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Pfeiffer University lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $51,562 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,076 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Pembroke, NC · 93% accepted · $10,260 net
Why it ranks #18
University of North Carolina at Pembroke lands at #18 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (58/100). Graduates earn a median $43,407 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,260 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Central Piedmont Community College lands at #19 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $37,865 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,345 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Fayetteville State University lands at #20 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,144 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,892 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Salem College lands at #21 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,640 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,277 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Durham Technical Community College lands at #22 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,142 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,664 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Lenoir-Rhyne University lands at #23 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $45,543 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,689 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Belmont Abbey College lands at #24 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $47,937 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,639 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
North Carolina Central University lands at #25 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $42,968 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,359 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
High Point University lands at #26 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $61,389 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,707 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Barton College lands at #27 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $47,913 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,626 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Gardner-Webb University lands at #28 with a 64/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $48,039 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,674 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Methodist University lands at #29 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $48,050 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,704 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Mars Hill University lands at #30 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $44,781 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,910 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Western Piedmont Community College lands at #31 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (50/100). Graduates earn a median $34,195 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,448 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Sandhills Community College lands at #32 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (94/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (47/100). Graduates earn a median $31,656 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,157 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Guilford Technical Community College lands at #33 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $33,934 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,002 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Craven Community College lands at #34 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (48/100). Graduates earn a median $34,231 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,289 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Haywood Community College lands at #35 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $34,770 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,723 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
McDowell Technical Community College lands at #36 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (49/100). Graduates earn a median $33,035 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,784 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Bladen Community College lands at #37 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (44/100). Graduates earn a median $30,591 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,551 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Tri-County Community College lands at #38 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (46/100). Graduates earn a median $32,232 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,799 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Coastal Carolina Community College lands at #39 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (50/100). Graduates earn a median $36,444 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,461 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Robeson Community College lands at #40 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (44/100). Graduates earn a median $29,036 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,892 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Southwestern Community College lands at #41 with a 56/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $34,145 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,207 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Chowan University lands at #42 with a 56/100 composite, led by academic quality (64/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (52/100). Graduates earn a median $38,412 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,086 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Montreat College lands at #43 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (62/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $45,151 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,061 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Brunswick Community College lands at #44 with a 49/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $36,668 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,009 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Vance-Granville Community College lands at #45 with a 48/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (35/100). Graduates earn a median $34,304 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,286 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Roanoke-Chowan Community College lands at #46 with a 46/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (36/100). Graduates earn a median $29,324 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,570 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Southeastern Community College lands at #47 with a 46/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (36/100). Graduates earn a median $30,284 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,148 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
South Piedmont Community College lands at #48 with a 39/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $37,308 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,675 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Wake Forest, NC · 75% accepted · $13,090 net
Why it ranks #49
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary lands at #49 with a 36/100 composite, led by value per dollar (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (21/100). Net price runs $13,090 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 49 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
North Carolina is home to several colleges that specialize in education programs, offering students diverse pathways into teaching and educational leadership. For prospective students and their families, this list highlights institutions where graduates are finding success and stability in their careers. On average, education graduates from these schools earn $42,264 annually.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 40 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.4%. Elizabeth City State University leads the group at 3.9%, with Methodist University (3.2%) and Campbell University (3.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 13.8% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Robeson Community College leads at 34.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 13% across this list. Elon University posts the highest success rate at 30.9%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.05 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Elon University reaches 1.82, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Appalachian State University stands out with a graduation rate of 74% and average earnings of $51,836 post-graduation. In contrast, Wilson Community College has a much lower graduation rate of 33% and earnings of just $32,973. This stark difference highlights the importance of program support and student resources.
When considering these schools, reflect on your priorities. Are you looking for strong earnings potential, lower debt, or a supportive campus environment? Weigh these metrics alongside personal factors like location and program fit. For instance, while East Carolina may offer higher earnings, the debt associated with it could impact your financial future more than a lower-cost option with a different student experience.
The data suggests that choosing the right education program is a crucial step towards achieving a stable life. One family’s decision about where to invest in a future educator could lead to significant financial implications. Each choice carries weight, and understanding these outcomes can guide families toward a more informed decision.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Education Colleges in North Carolina: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Education Colleges in North Carolina ranking? +
Davidson College in Davidson, NC ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $81,400 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 91% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Davidson College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $81,400 ten years after enrollment, well above the $43,172 average across the 48 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Durham Technical Community College leads: graduates earn a median $36,142 against net price of about $1,664 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Davidson College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 91%, compared with a 48% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $14,216 a year across the 49 ranked schools with cost data. Durham Technical Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $1,664. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Education Colleges in North Carolina ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 49 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
