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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina

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2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina

39 Schools Ranked
$2,507 Avg Tuition & Fees*

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 Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 39 schools in North Carolina to see which basic certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Wayne Community College

Goldsboro, North Carolina
786 Total Awards
$2,524 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Wayne Community College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in North Carolina. Located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 786 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,524 in tuition and fees if they attend Wayne Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,668.

One thing to take note of is that Wayne Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Wayne Community College

#2

Craven Community College

New Bern, North Carolina
443 Total Awards
$2,022 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 39 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Craven Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Craven Community College is located in New Bern, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 443 basic certificates to qualified students.

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,022 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Craven Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,630.

Craven 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 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#3

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
1,470 Total Awards
$2,792 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 39 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Piedmont Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,470 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,792 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Central Piedmont Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,936.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Central Piedmont Community College. 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.

Full Central Piedmont Community College Report

#4

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
2,549 Total Awards
$3,186 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Gaston College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Gaston College is a public institution located in Dallas, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,549 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,186 in tuition and fees if they attend Gaston College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.

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#5

Montgomery Community College

Troy, North Carolina
158 Total Awards
$2,538 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Montgomery Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in North Carolina. Located in Troy, North Carolina, the very small public school awarded 158 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from North Carolina who attend MCC full time pay an average of $2,538 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,682.

MCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 48% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Montgomery Community College

#6

Nash Community College

Rocky Mount, North Carolina
328 Total Awards
$2,834 Average Tuition & Fees

Nash Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Nash Community College is a small public school situated in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It awarded 328 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,834 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Nash Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,834.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Nash Community College. 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.

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#7

Durham Technical Community College

Durham, North Carolina
346 Total Awards
$2,229 Average Tuition & Fees

Durham Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #7 on the list. Durham Technical Community College is located in Durham, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 346 basic certificates to qualified students.

In-state students pay an average of $2,229 in tuition and fees if they attend Durham Technical Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,474.

Durham Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

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#8

Beaufort County Community College

Washington, North Carolina
319 Total Awards
$2,518 Average Tuition & Fees

Beaufort County Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Washington, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 319 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Beaufort County Community College is $2,518. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,662.

Beaufort County Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Beaufort County Community College Report

#9

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
443 Total Awards
$1,940 Average Tuition & Fees

Pitt Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Pitt Community College is located in Winterville, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 443 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pitt Community College is $1,940. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,548.

Pitt Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Pitt Community College

#10

South Piedmont Community College

Polkton, North Carolina
234 Total Awards
$2,015 Average Tuition & Fees

South Piedmont Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Polkton, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 234 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,015 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend South Piedmont Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,623.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South Piedmont Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 76% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#11

Central Carolina Community College

Sanford, North Carolina
418 Total Awards
$2,554 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Central Carolina Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Central Carolina Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Sanford, North Carolina that handed out 418 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from North Carolina who attend Central Carolina Community College full time pay an average of $2,554 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,698.

Central Carolina 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 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#12

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
3,202 Total Awards
$2,768 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Wake Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the large public school awarded 3,202 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students 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.

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. 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.

Read More…

#13

Richmond Community College

Hamlet, North Carolina
366 Total Awards
$2,536 Average Tuition & Fees

Richmond Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Richmond Community College is a small public school situated in Hamlet, North Carolina. It awarded 366 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Richmond Community College is $2,536. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,680.

Richmond Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Richmond Community College Report

#14

Sampson Community College

Clinton, North Carolina
253 Total Awards
$3,163 Average Tuition & Fees

Sampson Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Clinton, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 253 students 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,035.

Sampson Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Sampson Community College Report

#15

Alamance Community College

Graham, North Carolina
633 Total Awards
$2,498 Average Tuition & Fees

Alamance Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Graham, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 633 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at ACC is $2,498. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,642.

ACC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Alamance Community College

#16

Surry Community College

Dobson, North Carolina
265 Total Awards
$2,663 Average Tuition & Fees

Surry Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Surry Community College is a small public school located in Dobson, North Carolina that handed out 265 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Surry Community College is $2,663. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,807.

Surry Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#17

Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
644 Total Awards
$2,152 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #17, Forsyth Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 644 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.

Forsyth Tech 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 fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Forsyth Technical Community College

#18

Johnston Community College

Smithfield, North Carolina
409 Total Awards
$2,657 Average Tuition & Fees

Johnston Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Smithfield, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 409 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Johnston Community College is $2,657. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,801.

Johnston 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 fact, around 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#19

Lenoir Community College

Kinston, North Carolina
474 Total Awards
$2,568 Average Tuition & Fees

Lenoir Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Kinston, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 474 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lenoir Community College is $2,568. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,712.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Lenoir 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.

Read full report on Lenoir Community College

#20

Southwestern Community College

Sylva, North Carolina
352 Total Awards
$2,229 Average Tuition & Fees

Southwestern Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Southwestern Community College is a public institution located in Sylva, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 352 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Southwestern Community College is $2,229. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,221.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Southwestern Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Southwestern Community College

#21

Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, North Carolina
957 Total Awards
$2,319 Average Tuition & Fees

Guilford Technical Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Jamestown, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 957 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Guilford Technical Community College is $2,319. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,695.

Online courses are available at Guilford Technical Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 61% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#22

Wilkes Community College

Wilkesboro, North Carolina
493 Total Awards
$2,572 Average Tuition & Fees

Wilkes Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 493 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,572 in tuition and fees if they attend Wilkes Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,716.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Wilkes Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Wilkes Community College

335 Total Awards
$2,832 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #23, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Asheville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 335 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,832 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend A-B Tech. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,976.

A-B Tech 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 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#24

Catawba Valley Community College

Hickory, North Carolina
752 Total Awards
$2,367 Average Tuition & Fees

Catawba Valley Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Catawba Valley Community College is a small public school located in Hickory, North Carolina that handed out 752 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,367 in tuition and fees if they attend CVCC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,743.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CVCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Catawba Valley Community College

#25

Davidson County Community College

Thomasville, North Carolina
919 Total Awards
$2,208 Average Tuition & Fees

Davidson County Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Thomasville, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 919 students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,208 in tuition and fees if they attend DCCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,852.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DCCC. 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.

Read More…

View Best Trade Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >

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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