Best Child Development Schools in North Carolina (2026)

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North Carolina Child Development At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median Child Development Salary $49,086
Salary Outlook North Carolina offers competitive wages for child development professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body North Carolina Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online child development degree in North Carolina offers a flexible path into child development careers. North Carolina offers competitive wages for child development professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, North Carolina students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Child Development Schools in North Carolina

The following schools offer accredited online child development programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in North Carolina.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
84.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 85%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $68,758
Avg net price $17,303/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 94%
  • Programs offered: 152

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
69.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 75%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $51,836
Avg net price $16,836/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 84%
  • Programs offered: 108

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
68.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 66%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $55,146
Avg net price $15,739/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 165

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

McDowell Technical Community College

Marion, NC
  • 2 year
43.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 34%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $33,035
Avg net price $7,784/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 31

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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Career Outlook and Salaries in North Carolina

Child Development professionals in North Carolina experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for North Carolina.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (North Carolina)
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $35,710
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare $57,200
Child, Family, and School Social Workers $59,610
Childcare Workers $29,140
Special Education Teachers, Preschool $60,180
Social and Human Service Assistants $42,850
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education $53,180
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $54,820

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Child Development Degree in North Carolina?

Choosing a program in North Carolina can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in North Carolina offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the North Carolina economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online child development programs in North Carolina accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Child Development pay in North Carolina compare to other states?

North Carolina offers competitive wages for child development professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes North Carolina a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for child development in North Carolina?

The North Carolina Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in North Carolina. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Child Development Programs by City in North Carolina

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Apex · Asheboro · Asheville · Boone · Burlington · Carrboro · Cary · Chapel Hill · Charlotte · Clayton · Clemmons · Concord · Cornelius · Durham · Elizabeth City · Fayetteville · Forest City · Fuquay-Varina · Garner · Gastonia · Goldsboro · Greensboro · Greenville · Havelock · Henderson · Hickory · High Point · Holly Springs · Huntersville · Indian Trail · Jacksonville · Kannapolis · Kernersville · Kill Devil Hills · Kinston · Laurinburg · Lincolnton · Lumberton · Matthews · Mint Hill · Monroe · Mooresville · Morehead City · Morrisville · New Bern · Pinehurst · Raleigh · Roanoke Rapids · Rockingham · Rocky Mount · Salisbury · Sanford · Shelby · Smithfield · Statesville · Thomasville · Wake Forest · Wilmington · Wilson · Winston-Salem


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