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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 analysis found Craven Community College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a associate degree in North Carolina. Craven Community College is located in New Bern, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 660 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Craven Community College is $2,022. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,630.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Craven Community College. 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. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the fairly large public school awarded 2,459 diplomas to qualifed associate degree 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. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,936. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $6,146 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Piedmont Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. 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.
The excellent associate degree programs at Richmond Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in North Carolina. Richmond Community College is a small public school located in Hamlet, North Carolina that handed out 391 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Richmond Community College is $2,536. Out-of-state students 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.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Brunswick Community College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Brunswick Community College is a small public school located in Bolivia, North Carolina that handed out 282 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend Brunswick Community College full time pay an average of $2,532 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,676.
Brunswick 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. In 2020-2021 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Surry Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Surry Community College is a public institution located in Dobson, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 451 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend Surry Community College full time pay an average of $2,663 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,807.
One thing to take note of is that Surry Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lenoir Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Lenoir Community College is a small public school situated in Kinston, North Carolina. It awarded 392 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lenoir Community College is $2,568. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,712.
Lenoir Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Pitt Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Pitt Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Winterville, North Carolina that handed out 1,062 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,940 in tuition and fees if they attend Pitt Community College full time. Out-of-state students 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Montgomery Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. MCC is a very small public school situated in Troy, North Carolina. It awarded 114 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MCC is $2,538. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,682.
Online courses are available at MCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Nash Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 409 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,834 in tuition and fees if they attend Nash Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,834. On average, associate degree students take out $13,886 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Nash Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #10, Johnston Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Smithfield, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 671 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Johnston Community College is $2,657. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,801.
Online courses are available at Johnston 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, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Southwestern Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Southwestern Community College is a small public school situated in Sylva, North Carolina. It awarded 364 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southwestern Community College is $2,229. Those students who come from outside the state 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Southwestern Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is located in Salisbury, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 810 associate degrees to qualified students.
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. Associate Degree recipients from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College accumulate an average of $10,696 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Rowan-Cabarrus 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #13, South Piedmont Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. South Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in Polkton, North Carolina that handed out 300 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,015 in tuition and fees if they attend South Piedmont Community College full time. Out-of-state students 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. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cleveland Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Cleveland Community College is located in Shelby, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 467 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $2,602 in tuition and fees if they attend Cleveland Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,746.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cleveland Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #15, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Hudson, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 795 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,537 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CCCTI. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,681. Associate Degree recipients from CCCTI accumulate an average of $9,864 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CCCTI. During the 2020-2021 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Full Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Report
Wake Technical Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 2,898 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend Wake Technical Community College full time pay an average of $2,768 in tuition and fees. 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.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Wake Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #17, Cape Fear Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. CFCC is located in Wilmington, North Carolina and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,335 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from North Carolina who attend CFCC full time pay an average of $2,748 in tuition and fees. 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.
CFCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Wayne Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Wayne Community College is a small public school located in Goldsboro, North Carolina that handed out 499 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,524 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Wayne Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,668.
Wayne 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree trade school programs. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,113 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Forsyth Tech is $2,152. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,168. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,817 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Forsyth Tech does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Alamance 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 #20 on the list. This small public school is located in Graham, North Carolina, and it awarded 573 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ACC is $2,498. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,642.
Online courses are available at ACC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Central Carolina 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 #21 on the list. Located in Sanford, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 615 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,554 in tuition and fees if they attend Central Carolina Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,698.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Central Carolina Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
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 located in Washington, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 330 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,518 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Beaufort County Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,662.
Online courses are available at Beaufort County Community College, 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 63% took at least some of their classes online.
Gaston College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. 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.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $3,186 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Gaston College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,330.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Gaston College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #24, Sampson Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Sampson Community College is a small public school located in Clinton, North Carolina that handed out 354 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,163 in tuition and fees if they attend Sampson Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,035.
Online courses are available at Sampson Community College, 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 95% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #25, College of the Albemarle did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 349 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students 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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