Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

North Carolina Colleges

Find Schools Near

North Carolina Trade Schools

128 Colleges
$39,182 Avg 4-Year Tuition (In-State)
$28,467 Avg 4-Year Student Loan

In terms of yearly trade school graduations, North Carolina is ranked #8 in the country with 28,102 degrees handed out in 2021. Students who live in the state can take advantage of in-state tuition averaging $9,796 a year, while students from out-of-state may pay a higher average tuition of $14,905 a year.

About 47% of students who go to college in this state take out loans, with the average yearly loan amount being $7,117 per year.

Learn more about the most popular schools below:

#1

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,768 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
19% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Wake Technical Community College is 21,760, which includes 6,944 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

19% of Wake Technical Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $4,617 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 4.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from Wake Technical Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $33,317 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#2

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,564 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
51% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Fayetteville Technical Community College is 10,932, which includes 3,975 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Roughly 51% of students at FTCC take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $5,275 a year. The student loan default rate of 6.4% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $25,238 during the early-career years.

#3

Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,319 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
25% Freshmen Loans

There are 10,821 students at Guilford Technical Community College in total, 4,146 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

Approximately 25% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $4,870 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 6.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Guilford Technical Community College is $26,813.

#4

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,792 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
1% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Central Piedmont Community College is 16,668, which includes 6,367 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

1% of Central Piedmont Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $6,499 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 2.2% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $30,895 during the early-career years.

#5

Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,152 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
17% Freshmen Loans

There are 7,587 students at Forsyth Tech in total, 2,712 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.

Roughly 17% of students at Forsyth Tech take out loans to pay for college. The typical student loan amount is $3,795 a year. Forsyth Tech has a 3.9% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Forsyth Tech is $28,637.

#6

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$1,940 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
12% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Pitt Community College is 7,688, which includes 3,031 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Approximately 12% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The typical student loan amount is $6,366 a year. Pitt Community College has a 6.2% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $29,200 during the early-career years.

#7

Cape Fear Community College

Wilmington, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,748 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
7% Freshmen Loans

There are 8,680 students at CFCC in total, 3,054 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

Approximately 7% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,423 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $29,090 during the early-career years.

#8

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$3,186 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Gaston College is 5,345, which includes 1,230 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $29,346 during the early-career years.

#9

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$7,214 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
50% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at University of North Carolina at Charlotte is 30,146, of which 24,175 students are undergraduates and of those, 21,104 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

The school doesn’t accept everyone who applies - it has an acceptance rate of 79%. Of the accepted students, 42% are men and 58% are women.

50% of UNC Charlotte students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $7,202 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 1.7% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $44,858 during the early-career years.

#10

Coastal Carolina Community College

Jacksonville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,462 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
1% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Coastal Carolina Community College is 3,571, which includes 1,612 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1.

Approximately 1% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $10,000 a year. This school’s student loan default rate of 9.5% is close to the national average of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $29,558 during the early-career years.

#11

Davidson County Community College

Thomasville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,208 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
14% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,537 full-time undergraduates at DCCC, and 3,765 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

Approximately 14% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $7,024 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 5.4% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from DCCC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $30,350 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#12

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Salisbury, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,024 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
1% Freshmen Loans

There are 7,109 students at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in total, 2,143 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Approximately 1% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $4,140 a year. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has a 2.3% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is $28,437.

#13

Wilkes Community College

Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,572 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 2,435 students at Wilkes Community College in total, 938 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1.

Wilkes Community College has a 8.6% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $29,035 during the early-career years.

#14

Alamance Community College

Graham, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,498 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 4,037 students at ACC in total, 1,352 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

Students who graduate from ACC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $28,316 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#15

Wayne Community College

Goldsboro, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,524 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
1% Freshmen Loans

There are 2,701 students at Wayne Community College in total, 977 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.

Roughly 1% of students at Wayne Community College take out loans to pay for college. The average amount of student loans is $4,000 a year.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $30,318 during the early-career years.

#16

Catawba Valley Community College

Hickory, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,367 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
1% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Catawba Valley Community College is 4,328, which includes 1,318 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 11 to 1.

Approximately 1% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,560 a year. The student loan default rate of 4.8% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

The early-career average earnings of bachelor’s-degree holders from CVCC is $30,261.

#17

Johnston Community College

Smithfield, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,657 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
2% Freshmen Loans

There are 1,464 full-time undergraduates at Johnston Community College, and 4,182 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

2% of Johnston Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $6,929 a year.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $30,652 during the early-career years.

#18

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$7,325 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
53% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at East Carolina University is 28,798, of which 23,056 students are undergraduates and of those, 18,886 are full-time. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

Around 94% of students who apply get accepted. Around 36% of accepted students are men, and 64% are women.

53% of ECU students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $7,134 a year. ECU has a 1.7% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $43,995 during the early-career years.

#19

Lenoir Community College

Kinston, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,568 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

There are 718 full-time undergraduates at Lenoir Community College, and 2,361 students altogether. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1.

Students who graduate from Lenoir Community College with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $26,823 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#20

NASCAR Technical Institute

Mooresville, North Carolina
Private for-profit Public vs. Private
78% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at NASCAR Technical Institute is 1,204, which includes 1,204 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 53 to 1.

78% of NASCAR Technical Institute students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $9,228 a year. The student loan default rate of 3.1% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from NASCAR Technical Institute with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $46,572 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#21

Isothermal Community College

Spindale, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,030 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State

The total student population at Isothermal Community College is 2,042, which includes 716 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.

The student loan default rate of 5.0% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from ICC with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $26,124 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#22

Randolph Community College

Asheboro, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,416 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
2% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Randolph Community College is 2,548, which includes 692 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1.

2% of Randolph Community College students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $7,386 a year.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $27,946 during the early-career years.

Public Public vs. Private
$2,537 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
2% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute is 3,845, which includes 1,442 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18 to 1.

2% of CCCTI students take out loans to afford college costs. The average amount of student loans is $6,347 a year. The student loan default rate of 8.3% means most graduates are not struggling to pay off their loans.

Students who graduate from CCCTI with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $27,394 during the early years of their career after graduation.

Public Public vs. Private
$2,832 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
6% Freshmen Loans

There are 6,601 students at A-B Tech in total, 1,916 are full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12 to 1.

6% of A-B Tech students take out loans to afford college costs. The typical student loan amount is $5,730 a year. The school reports a student loan default rate of 5.9% which is much lower than the average rate of 10.8%!

Students who graduate from A-B Tech with a bachelor’s degree make an average of $30,001 during the early years of their career after graduation.

#25

Durham Technical Community College

Durham, North Carolina
Public Public vs. Private
$2,229 Yearly Tuition & Fees (In-State
6% Freshmen Loans

The total student population at Durham Technical Community College is 4,672, which includes 866 full-time undergraduates. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1.

Approximately 6% of the students who attend this school take out loans. The average amount of student loans is $6,660 a year. Durham Technical Community College has a 4.0% student default rate. This is excellent when you compare it to the national rate of 10.8%.

A typical bachelor’s-degree holder from this school earns an average of $29,142 during the early-career years.

Other North Carolina Trade Schools

Rank School Yearly Graduations
26 Central Carolina Community College 372
27 Cleveland Community College 350
28 Miller-Motte College Wilmington 323
28 Nash Community College 323
30 Southwestern Community College 312
31 Health and Style Institute 306
32 Western Carolina University 294
33 Stanly Community College 280
34 Sandhills Community College 274
35 Richmond Community College 257
36 Southeastern College - Charlotte 247
37 Carteret Community College 245
38 Craven Community College 221
39 Surry Community College 213
40 Edgecombe Community College 211
41 Miller-Motte College Fayetteville 207
42 Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte 206
43 Rockingham Community College 205
44 Bladen Community College 203
45 Beaufort County Community College 189
46 Vance-Granville Community College 182
47 Aveda Institute - Chapel Hill 181
48 College of the Albemarle 180
49 Blue Ridge Community College 172
50 Haywood Community College 170
51 Miller-Motte College Jacksonville 165
52 Pamlico Community College 164
53 Paul Mitchell the School Gastonia 163
54 Montgomery Community College 153
55 Miller-Motte College Raleigh 151
56 Mayland Community College 150
57 Mitchell Community College 146
58 Martin Community College 143
58 Robeson Community College 143
60 Southeastern Community College 136
61 Appalachian State University 132
62 Winston - Salem State University 130
63 Halifax Community College 129
63 Leons Beauty School Inc 129
65 Western Piedmont Community College 128
66 Sampson Community College 122
67 Piedmont Community College 120
68 South Piedmont Community College 111
69 Wilson Community College 109
70 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 103
71 University of Mount Olive 100
72 Gwinnett College 92
73 Paul Mitchell the School Raleigh 89
74 McDowell Technical Community College 87
75 Elevate Salon Institute - Durham 85
76 Paul Mitchell the School Fayetteville 73
77 James Sprunt Community College 56
78 Winston Salem Barber School 52
79 College of Wilmington 51
80 Carolinas College of Health Sciences 49
81 Roanoke-Chowan Community College 47
81 Tri-County Community College 47
83 Brunswick Community College 45
83 Cabarrus College of Health Sciences 45
85 Center for Massage 44
86 Alexander Paul Institute of Hair Design 42
87 North Carolina A & T State University 40
88 Empire Beauty School-West Greensboro 38
89 Fayetteville State University 37
89 North Carolina State University 37
89 Living Arts College 37
92 Empire Beauty School-Concord 32
93 Empire Beauty School-Charlotte 29
93 Empire Beauty School-Pineville 29
95 Methodist University 27
96 Campbell University 23
96 Elizabeth City State University 23
98 Queens University of Charlotte 21
98 Pinnacle Institute of Cosmetology 21
100 Empire Beauty School-Winston-Salem 20
101 Carolina College of Hair Design 19
102 Gardner - Webb University 16
103 Mars Hill University 15
103 Aviation Institute of Maintenance - Charlotte 15
105 No Grease Barber School 13
106 Beyond Measure Barbering Institute 12
107 Brevard College 8
107 Greensboro College 8
107 Mitchell’s Academy - Wilson 8
107 University of North Carolina at Wilmington 8
107 Mitchell’s Academy - Raleigh 8
112 Johnson C Smith University 7
112 Lenoir - Rhyne University 7
114 University of North Carolina at Pembroke 6
114 Bull City Durham Beauty and Barber College 6
116 Barton College 5
116 Pfeiffer University 5
116 Wingate University 5
119 Lees - McRae College 4
119 Anson College of Cosmetology 4
121 Livingstone College 3
122 North Carolina Wesleyan College 2
123 Saint Augustine’s University 1
124 Catawba College 0
124 Duke University 0
124 Elon University 0
124 North Carolina Central University 0
124 South University, High Point 0

References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.