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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina

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 handed out 786 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,524 in tuition and fees if they attend Wayne Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,668.

Wayne Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Wayne Community College

#2

Craven Community College

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

The excellent basic certificate programs at Craven Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in North Carolina. Craven Community College is a small public school situated in New Bern, North Carolina. It awarded 443 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,022 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Craven Community College. Those students who come from outside the state 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.

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#3

Central Piedmont Community College

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

The excellent basic certificate programs at Central Piedmont Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in North Carolina. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,470 students in 2021-2022.

Students from North Carolina who attend Central Piedmont Community College full time pay an average of $2,792 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,936.

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. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Central Piedmont Community College Report

#4

Gaston College

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

The excellent basic certificate programs at Gaston College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade school schools in North Carolina. Located in Dallas, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,549 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,186 in tuition and fees if they attend Gaston College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,330.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Gaston College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Gaston College

#5

Montgomery Community College

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

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Montgomery Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Montgomery Community College is a very small public school located in Troy, North Carolina that handed out 158 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from North Carolina who attend MCC full time pay an average of $2,538 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,682.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Montgomery Community College

#6

Nash Community College

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

With a ranking of #6, Nash Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 328 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $2,834 in tuition and fees if they attend Nash Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,834.

Online courses are available at Nash 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, 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

With a ranking of #7, Durham Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 346 students in 2021-2022.

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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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#8

Beaufort County Community College

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

Beaufort County Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate 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 319 basic certificates 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. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,662.

Beaufort County 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 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#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. This medium-sized public school is located in Winterville, North Carolina, and it awarded 443 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $1,940 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Pitt Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,548.

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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.

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#10

South Piedmont Community College

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

South Piedmont Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina 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.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at South Piedmont Community College is $2,015. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,623.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since South Piedmont Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on South Piedmont Community College

#11

Central Carolina Community College

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

Central Carolina 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 #11 on the list. Located in Sanford, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 418 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students 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. 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Central Carolina Community College

#12

Wake Technical Community College

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

Wake Technical Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 3,202 basic certificates 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. Out-of-state students 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 full report on Wake Technical Community College

#13

Richmond Community College

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

Richmond 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 #13 on the list. Richmond Community College is a small public school located in Hamlet, North Carolina that handed out 366 basic certificates 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.

Richmond 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 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Richmond Community College Report

#14

Sampson Community College

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

Sampson Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Clinton, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 253 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Students from North Carolina who attend Sampson Community College full time pay an average of $3,163 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Sampson Community College

#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. ACC is a small public school situated in Graham, North Carolina. It awarded 633 basic certificates 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.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at ACC. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Alamance Community College Report

#16

Surry Community College

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

Surry Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Dobson, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 265 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students 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.

Surry 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, 55% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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#17

Forsyth Technical Community College

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

Forsyth Technical Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best basic certificate trade school programs. Forsyth Tech is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 644 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Students from North Carolina who attend Forsyth Tech full time pay an average of $2,152 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,168.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Forsyth Tech. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#18

Johnston Community College

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

Johnston 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 #18 on the list. Johnston Community College is a public institution located in Smithfield, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 409 basic certificates 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.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Johnston Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#19

Lenoir Community College

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

Lenoir Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Kinston, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 474 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,568 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Lenoir Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,712.

Lenoir 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.

Read More…

#20

Southwestern Community College

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

Southwestern Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Sylva, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 352 basic certificate awards 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.

Southwestern Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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 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 #21 on the list. Guilford Technical Community College is a public institution located in Jamestown, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 957 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,319 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Guilford Technical Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,695.

Guilford Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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 handed out 493 basic certificate awards 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.

Online courses are available at Wilkes 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, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Wilkes Community College Report

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. A-B Tech is a medium-sized public school situated in Asheville, North Carolina. It awarded 335 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at A-B Tech is $2,832. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,976.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since A-B Tech does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#24

Catawba Valley Community College

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

With a ranking of #24, Catawba Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. CVCC is located in Hickory, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 752 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CVCC is $2,367. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,743.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CVCC. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Catawba Valley Community College Report

#25

Davidson County Community College

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

With a ranking of #25, Davidson County Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Thomasville, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 919 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from North Carolina who attend DCCC full time pay an average of $2,208 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,852.

Online courses are available at DCCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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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