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Best Trade Schools in North Carolina

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2023 Best Trade Schools in North Carolina

63 Schools Ranked
$40,702 Average Earnings
$31,084 Avg Student Debt

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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. This report analyzed 63 schools in North Carolina to see which ones offered the best programs for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Schools in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
6,984 Total Awards

Our analysis found East Carolina University to be the best school for trade school students in North Carolina. This large public school is located in Greenville, North Carolina, and it awarded 6,984 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full East Carolina University Report

#2

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
9,997 Total Awards

Out of the 63 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the # 2 spot on the list. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,997 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#3

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, North Carolina
649 Total Awards

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Mount Olive. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Mount Olive, North Carolina, and it awarded 649 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on University of Mount Olive

#4

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
8,666 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a large public school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 8,666 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on University of North Carolina at Charlotte

#5

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina
3,493 Total Awards

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Western Carolina University is a great place for trade school students. This fairly large public school is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and it awarded 3,493 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#6

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
369 Total Awards

Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte ranked #6 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. JWU Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 369 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte

#8

Craven Community College

New Bern, North Carolina
1,198 Total Awards

Craven Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Craven Community College is a small public school situated in New Bern, North Carolina. It awarded 1,198 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Craven Community College Report

#9

Miller-Motte College Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
500 Total Awards

Miller-Motte College Wilmington did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #9 on the list. This very small private for-profit school is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and it awarded 500 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#10

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
4,083 Total Awards

Central Piedmont Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #10 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 4,083 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Central Piedmont Community College Report

#11

Montgomery Community College

Troy, North Carolina
296 Total Awards

Montgomery Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Troy, North Carolina is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 296 students in 2021-2022.

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#12

Brunswick Community College

Bolivia, North Carolina
454 Total Awards

Brunswick Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Brunswick Community College is a public institution located in Bolivia, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 454 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#13

McDowell Technical Community College

Marion, North Carolina
342 Total Awards

McDowell Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the list. McDowell Technical Community College is a public institution located in Marion, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 342 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on McDowell Technical Community College

#14

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Salisbury, North Carolina
1,803 Total Awards

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Salisbury, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,803 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

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#15

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
1,131 Total Awards

Winston - Salem State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,131 students in 2021-2022.

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#16

Lees - McRae College

Banner Elk, North Carolina
233 Total Awards

Lees - McRae College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Lees - McRae College is located in Banner Elk, North Carolina and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 233 degrees to qualified students.

Read full report on Lees - McRae College

#17

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
1,669 Total Awards

Pitt Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Winterville, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,669 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

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#18

Surry Community College

Dobson, North Carolina
805 Total Awards

With a ranking of #18, Surry Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Located in Dobson, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 805 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#19

Richmond Community College

Hamlet, North Carolina
815 Total Awards

Richmond Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Hamlet, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 815 students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Richmond Community College

#20

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
3,400 Total Awards

Gaston College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Gaston College is a medium-sized public school located in Dallas, North Carolina that handed out 3,400 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Gaston College

#21

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
5,388 Total Awards

Appalachian State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. This large public school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 5,388 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Appalachian State University Report

#22

Alamance Community College

Graham, North Carolina
1,271 Total Awards

Alamance Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. ACC is a small public school situated in Graham, North Carolina. It awarded 1,271 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#23

Wayne Community College

Goldsboro, North Carolina
1,488 Total Awards

With a ranking of #23, Wayne Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Wayne Community College is a public institution located in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,488 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Wayne Community College Report

#24

Lenoir Community College

Kinston, North Carolina
986 Total Awards

Lenoir Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Lenoir Community College is located in Kinston, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 986 degrees to qualified students.

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#25

South Piedmont Community College

Polkton, North Carolina
603 Total Awards

With a ranking of #25, South Piedmont Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Polkton, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 603 students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on South Piedmont Community College

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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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