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2026 Best Trade Schools in North Carolina
Looking for the best Trade degree programs in North Carolina? Our ranking highlights 163 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Trade College analyzed 129 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Trade Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
East Carolina University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Trade degree schools in North Carolina. East Carolina University is a public school based in Greenville, NC. East Carolina University posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Read more about East Carolina University
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top choices in North Carolina. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete their Trade program here. See the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill profile
Out of the 129 schools in North Carolina in this year's ranking, Mount Olive College landed the #3 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mount Olive, NC. Mount Olive College posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Students borrow a median of $30,798 to complete their Trade program here. More on Mount Olive College
A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Charlotte one of the top choices in North Carolina. Located in Charlotte, NC, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. The median Trade program debt is $24,673. Read more about University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
A rank of #5 makes Western Carolina University one of the top choices in North Carolina. Western Carolina University is a public school based in Cullowhee, NC. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Western Carolina University Trade students take on a median of $24,174 in debt. More on Western Carolina University
Johnson And Wales University Charlotte came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Located in Charlotte, NC, Johnson And Wales University Charlotte is a private not-for-profit institution. Johnson And Wales University Charlotte graduates 34% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,982. Graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Read more about Johnson And Wales University Charlotte
Craven Community College did well this year, earning the #8 position. Craven Community College is a public school based in New Bern, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $8,924. Get the full Craven Community College report
Miller Motte College Wilmington did well this year, earning the #9 position. This private for-profit school is set in Wilmington, NC. Graduates carry a median of $26,014 in student loans. Get the full Miller Motte College Wilmington report
Central Piedmont Community College placed #10 among Trade schools in North Carolina. Located in Charlotte, NC, Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $11,861. Get the full Central Piedmont Community College report
Montgomery Community College placed #11 among Trade schools in North Carolina. Set in Troy, NC, Montgomery Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,682. Get the full Montgomery Community College report
Brunswick Community College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Bolivia, NC, Brunswick Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,553, with out-of-state students paying around $8,697. Brunswick Community College Trade students take on a median of $5,500 in debt. Get the full Brunswick Community College report
Mcdowell Technical Community College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Marion, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,032, with out-of-state students paying around $6,640. See the full Mcdowell Technical Community College profile
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Set in Salisbury, NC, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,064, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Read the full report on Rowan Cabarrus Community College
Winston Salem State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Winston-Salem, NC, Winston Salem State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $27,653. Get the full Winston Salem State University report
Lees Mcrae College came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Located in Banner Elk, NC, Lees Mcrae College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 42% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,850. Graduates carry a median of $19,821 in student loans. Get the full Lees Mcrae College report
Pitt Community College landed the #17 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Winterville, NC, Pitt Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,871 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Pitt Community College Trade students take on a median of $19,741 in debt. More on Pitt Community College
Surry Community College did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Dobson, NC, Surry Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Typical Trade student debt is $9,537. Read more about Surry Community College
Richmond Community College came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in Hamlet, NC, Richmond Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,956, compared with $6,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,407 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Richmond Community College
Gaston College did well this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Dallas, NC, Gaston College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,186, with out-of-state students paying around $9,330. Graduates carry a median of $10,915 in student loans. More on Gaston College
Appalachian State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Located in Boone, NC, Appalachian State University is a public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. The median Trade program debt is $21,992. More on Appalachian State University
Alamance Community College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in Graham, NC, Alamance Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $6,625. Get the full Alamance Community College report
Wayne Community College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Goldsboro, NC, Wayne Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,566 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,710. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Wayne Community College
Lenoir Community College placed #24 among Trade schools in North Carolina. This public school is set in Kinston, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,578, compared with $8,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,984 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Lenoir Community College
South Piedmont Community College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Polkton, NC, South Piedmont Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Typical Trade student debt is $10,098. See the full South Piedmont Community College profile
Wake Technical Community College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Wake Technical Community College is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Typical Trade student debt is $17,900. Read the full report on Wake Technical Community College
Rest of the Top 50 Best Trade Degree Schools in North Carolina
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Nash Community College placed #27 among Trade schools in North Carolina. Based in Rocky Mount, NC, Nash Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,969 to complete their Trade program here. Get the full Nash Community College report
Sampson Community College landed the #28 spot in North Carolina this year. Sampson Community College is a public school based in Clinton, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. The median Trade program debt is $12,596. See the full Sampson Community College profile
Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Forsyth Technical Community College is a public school based in Winston-Salem, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,276 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,884. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Forsyth Technical Community College
Johnston Community College landed the #30 spot in North Carolina this year. Johnston Community College is a public school based in Smithfield, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Read more about Johnston Community College
Central Carolina Community College placed #31 among Trade schools in North Carolina. Set in Sanford, NC, Central Carolina Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Get the full Central Carolina Community College report
Southwestern Community College Sylva did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in Sylva, NC, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,112, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Typical Trade student debt is $13,708. Read the full report on Southwestern Community College Sylva
Durham Technical Community College came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Based in Durham, NC, Durham Technical Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete their Trade program here. Read more about Durham Technical Community College
Beaufort County Community College landed the #34 spot in North Carolina this year. Beaufort County Community College is a public school based in Washington, NC. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,540, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $7,947. More on Beaufort County Community College
Methodist University placed #35 among Trade schools in North Carolina. Based in Fayetteville, NC, Methodist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Methodist University posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,250. The median Trade program debt is $27,604. Read the full report on Methodist University
Mars Hill College placed #36 among Trade schools in North Carolina. This private not-for-profit school is set in Mars Hill, NC. Roughly 45% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $37,736 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,886 in student loans. Read more about Mars Hill College
Guilford Technical Community College placed #37 among Trade schools in North Carolina. This public school is set in Jamestown, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $2,320, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,501 to complete their Trade program here. Read the full report on Guilford Technical Community College
Cape Fear Community College landed the #38 spot in North Carolina this year. Located in Wilmington, NC, Cape Fear Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. See the full Cape Fear Community College profile
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College placed #39 among Trade schools in North Carolina. This public school is set in Asheville, NC. Students from in state pay about $2,882 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,026. Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College Trade students take on a median of $18,883 in debt. Get the full Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College report
College Of The Albemarle placed #40 among Trade schools in North Carolina. Based in Elizabeth City, NC, College Of The Albemarle is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. See the full College Of The Albemarle profile
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute placed #41 among Trade schools in North Carolina. Based in Hudson, NC, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,528, while out-of-state students pay about $6,528. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute profile
Catawba Valley Community College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Hickory, NC, Catawba Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,427, with out-of-state students paying around $7,803. The median Trade program debt is $9,842. See the full Catawba Valley Community College profile
Cleveland Community College landed the #43 spot in North Carolina this year. Located in Shelby, NC, Cleveland Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete their Trade program here. More on Cleveland Community College
Davidson County Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Thomasville, NC. In-state tuition and fees average $1,980, with out-of-state students paying around $6,588. Typical Trade student debt is $16,693. Read more about Davidson County Community College
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Based in Greensboro, NC, North Carolina A And T State University is a public institution. North Carolina A And T State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. The median Trade program debt is $29,078. Get the full North Carolina A And T State University report
Mitchell Community College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Statesville, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,651, compared with $8,795 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $6,313 in student loans. See the full Mitchell Community College profile
Vance Granville Community College came in at #47 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Henderson, NC. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Read more about Vance Granville Community College
Southeastern Community College Whiteville ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. Based in Whiteville, NC, Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,600, with out-of-state students paying around $8,744. Students borrow a median of $10,188 to complete their Trade program here. See the full Southeastern Community College Whiteville profile
Sandhills Community College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Set in Pinehurst, NC, Sandhills Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $6,648 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $9,238. Read more about Sandhills Community College
Wilkes Community College ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Trade schools. This public school is set in Wilkesboro, NC. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,572, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. The median Trade program debt is $9,125. Read more about Wilkes Community College
Edgecombe Community College landed the #51 spot in North Carolina this year. Set in Tarboro, NC, Edgecombe Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $8,784. Typical Trade student debt is $22,153. Read more about Edgecombe Community College
More Trade Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 129 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 163 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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