Skip to main content

Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in North Carolina

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

North Carolina A & T State University graduates with Teacher Education degrees earn $42,458 annually, the highest among all 20 programs in the state and nearly $14,000 more than Elizabeth City State University graduates at $28,598. This earnings gap reflects the growing demand for specialized educators across North Carolina's expanding urban centers, where districts in Charlotte and the Research Triangle actively recruit teachers with advanced pedagogical training. Wake Technical Community College offers the most affordable path at just $6,935 net cost, while private institutions like Chowan University reach $16,189, creating a $9,254 spread between the cheapest and most expensive options. The state's public universities dominate the affordable market, with nine of the ten cheapest programs housed at state institutions. North Carolina's teacher shortage, particularly in STEM and special education areas, has prompted districts to offer signing bonuses and loan forgiveness programs, making the investment in teacher preparation increasingly attractive for graduates entering the workforce.
46
Programs
$6,935 – $41,048
Net Price Range
$36,727
Avg. Program Earnings
50.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

46 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,935 $2,336 31.4%
2 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
3 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
4 $9,918 $3,571 44.5% 89.7%
5 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
6 $10,980 $6,748 55.3% 56.4%
7 $12,579 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
8 $12,983 $8,989 92.1% 17.1%
9 $13,393 $6,735 48.6% 73.4%
10 $13,467 $11,250 54.5%
11 $14,083 $17,176 20.2% 61.0%
12 $14,745 $7,214 67.7% 79.6%
13 $15,028 $6,542 46.0% 84.4%
14 $15,662 $18,296 27.1% 63.8%
15 $16,189 $27,110 28.5% 86.7%
16 $16,487 $7,541 73.1% 83.1%
17 $16,514 $7,361 62.1% 92.3%
18 $16,931 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
19 $17,740 $16,896 33.2% 58.9%
20 $17,893 $25,950 47.5% 74.6%
21 $18,165 $35,536 40.4% 68.4%
22 $18,210 $33,400 52.1% 67.1%
23 $18,866 $16,000 29.2% 52.0%
24 $19,314 $20,400 40.8% 84.3%
25 $19,472 $7,317 70.7% 68.8%
26 $20,313 $37,270 41.9% 74.2%
27 $21,200 $41,140 47.7% 83.5%
28 $21,371 $40,196 46.8% 86.2%
29 $21,376 $31,250 39.0% 39.9%
30 $21,728 $33,150 44.3% 63.2%
31 $21,953 $33,930 42.6% 69.1%
32 $22,858 $19,140 20.6% 44.6%
33 $23,393 $30,900 51.0% 82.9%
34 $23,613 $19,500 46.4% 97.2%
35 $23,665 $35,600 51.5% 94.6%
36 $23,991 $40,410 55.9% 88.6%
37 $24,137 $33,450 61.7% 75.0%
38 $24,978 $39,664 40.1% 75.7%
39 $25,765 $31,140 44.2% 61.3%
40 $25,876 $17,280 42.6% 63.3%
41 $26,328 $33,860 40.6% 68.1%
42 $27,786 $43,285 65.9% 71.3%
43 $28,746 $64,758 90.9% 21.4%
44 $33,756 $30,800 27.1% 64.8%
45 $40,721 $44,208 70.0% 78.9%
46 $41,048 $44,536 83.0% 74.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $13,860 earnings difference between the highest and lowest-paid Teacher Education graduates in North Carolina?

North Carolina A & T graduates earn $42,458 compared to Elizabeth City State's $28,598, reflecting program specialization and geographic job markets. A & T's location near Greensboro's growing urban district and its focus on STEM education preparation align with high-demand teaching areas. Elizabeth City serves more rural communities where teaching salaries typically run lower. The Research Triangle and Charlotte metro areas consistently pay teachers 15-20% above state averages.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in North Carolina Teacher Education programs?

UNC Chapel Hill achieves a 92.10% graduation rate at $12,983 net cost, while Shaw University manages just 20.20% at $14,083. Wake Technical Community College, the cheapest at $6,935, maintains a solid 31.40% rate for a two-year program. Western Carolina University demonstrates the sweet spot with 59.10% graduation rates at $12,579 net cost. Private institutions show inconsistent performance, with some like Southeastern Free Will Baptist at 54.50% outpacing costlier alternatives.

Is the $6,935 net cost at Wake Technical Community College realistic for a complete Teacher Education degree?

Wake Technical offers associate degrees and teacher preparation coursework that transfers to four-year programs, not complete teaching degrees. Students typically spend two years at Wake Tech for $6,935 total, then transfer to complete bachelor's degrees at universities like UNC Greensboro for an additional $10,170 net cost. This pathway saves approximately $3,000-5,000 compared to starting at four-year institutions. North Carolina's full transfer agreement ensures credits move seamlessly between community colleges and universities.

Does attending UNC Chapel Hill justify the $12,983 cost despite its 17.11% acceptance rate?

Chapel Hill graduates carry just $12,000 in debt compared to the state average of $23,000-27,000, despite higher net costs. The 92.10% graduation rate means students actually complete degrees, unlike lower-cost alternatives with sub-40% completion rates. Chapel Hill's education school reputation opens doors to competitive teaching positions in Wake County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg, districts that actively recruit from top-tier programs. The selectivity ensures smaller cohorts and more faculty attention during student teaching placements.

Where do North Carolina Teacher Education graduates find the best employment opportunities relative to their program costs?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Wake County schools offer starting salaries above $40,000, benefiting graduates from nearby UNC Charlotte ($14,745 net cost) and UNC Chapel Hill. The Research Triangle's growth creates demand for STEM and special education teachers, areas where NC A & T graduates command premium salaries. Rural districts offer loan forgiveness programs worth up to $17,500 over four years, making programs like UNC Pembroke ($9,918 net cost) particularly valuable. Fayetteville's military community provides stable enrollment and competitive benefits for education graduates.

More Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Rankings

Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods in North Carolina Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Under $20,000 in North Carolina

Related

All Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs Best Colleges in North Carolina Best Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods in North Carolina

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.