2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for trade school students. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Trade College Search has created the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 42 schools in North Carolina to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for trade school students.
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Top Trade Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Craven Community College the best school in North Carolina for trade school students working on their associate degree. Craven Community College is a public institution located in New Bern, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 660 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,022 in tuition and fees if they attend Craven Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,630.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Craven Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Central Piedmont Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,459 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,792 in tuition and fees if they attend Central Piedmont Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,936. Associate Degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College accumulate an average of $6,146 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Central Piedmont Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 42 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Richmond Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. This small public school is located in Hamlet, North Carolina, and it awarded 391 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,536 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Richmond Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,680.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Richmond Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
The excellent associate degree programs at Brunswick Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in North Carolina. Located in Bolivia, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 282 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,532 in tuition and fees if they attend Brunswick Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,676.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Brunswick Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Surry Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree. Surry Community College is a small public school situated in Dobson, North Carolina. It awarded 451 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Surry Community College is $2,663. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,807.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Surry Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lenoir Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Lenoir Community College is a public institution located in Kinston, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 392 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend Lenoir Community College full time pay an average of $2,568 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,712.
Lenoir Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #7, Pitt Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Winterville, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,062 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend Pitt Community College full time pay an average of $1,940 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,548. Associate Degree recipients from Pitt Community College accumulate an average of $19,749 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Pitt Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Montgomery Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. MCC is a very small public school situated in Troy, North Carolina. It awarded 114 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,538 in tuition and fees if they attend MCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,682.
MCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Nash Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Nash Community College is a small public school situated in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It awarded 409 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,834 in tuition and fees if they attend Nash Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,834. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,886 in student loans.
Nash Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 87% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Johnston Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Johnston Community College is a public institution located in Smithfield, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 671 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,657 in tuition and fees if they attend Johnston Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,801.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Johnston Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Southwestern Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Southwestern Community College is located in Sylva, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 364 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $2,229 in tuition and fees if they attend Southwestern Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,221. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,091 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Southwestern Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Salisbury, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 810 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,024 in tuition and fees if they attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,632. On average, associate degree students take out $10,696 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
South Piedmont Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Polkton, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 300 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at South Piedmont Community College is $2,015. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,623.
Online courses are available at South Piedmont Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 76% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Cleveland Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Cleveland Community College is a public institution located in Shelby, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 467 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cleveland Community College is $2,602. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,746.
One thing to take note of is that Cleveland Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Hudson, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 795 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend CCCTI full time pay an average of $2,537 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,681. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,864 in student loans.
Online courses are available at CCCTI, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Wake Technical Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 2,898 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,768 in tuition and fees if they attend Wake Technical Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,912. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,897 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Wake Technical Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Cape Fear Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. CFCC is a public institution located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,335 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,748 in tuition and fees if they attend CFCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,892. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,166 in student loans.
Online courses are available at CFCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
Wayne Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Wayne Community College is a small public school situated in Goldsboro, North Carolina. It awarded 499 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,524 in tuition and fees if they attend Wayne Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,668.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Wayne Community College. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Forsyth Tech is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,113 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Forsyth Tech is $2,152. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,168. Associate Degree recipients from Forsyth Tech accumulate an average of $15,817 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Forsyth Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Alamance Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Graham, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 573 students in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend ACC full time pay an average of $2,498 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,642.
ACC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2020-2021 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Sanford, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 615 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,554 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Central Carolina Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,698.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Carolina Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Beaufort County Community College is a small public school situated in Washington, North Carolina. It awarded 330 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend Beaufort County Community College full time pay an average of $2,518 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,662.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Beaufort County Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Gaston College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Gaston College is located in Dallas, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 751 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Gaston College is $3,186. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,330.
Gaston College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Sampson Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Sampson Community College is a small public school located in Clinton, North Carolina that handed out 354 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $3,163 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Sampson Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,035.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Sampson Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
College of the Albemarle came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. College of the Albemarle is a small public school located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina that handed out 349 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,260 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend College of the Albemarle. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,346.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at College of the Albemarle. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Best Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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