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Best Trade Schools in North Carolina

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 2023 rankings named East Carolina University the best school in North Carolina for trade school students working on their degree. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, the large public school awarded 6,984 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Full East Carolina University Report

#2

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
9,997 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 9,997 students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#3

University of Mount Olive

Mount Olive, North Carolina
649 Total Awards

The excellent programs at University of Mount Olive helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best trade schools in North Carolina. UMO is located in Mount Olive, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 649 degrees to qualified students.

Full University of Mount Olive Report

#4

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
8,666 Total Awards

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 8,666 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full University of North Carolina at Charlotte Report

#5

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina
3,493 Total Awards

Out of the 63 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Carolina University landed the # 5 spot on the list. WCU is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, 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.

Full Johnson & Wales University - Charlotte Report

#8

Craven Community College

New Bern, North Carolina
1,198 Total Awards

Craven Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Craven Community College is a public institution located in New Bern, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,198 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Craven Community College Report

#9

Miller-Motte College Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
500 Total Awards

With a ranking of #9, Miller-Motte College Wilmington did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working. Wilmington, North Carolina is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 500 students in 2021-2022.

Full Miller-Motte College Wilmington Report

#10

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
4,083 Total Awards

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. Charlotte, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,083 students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Central Piedmont Community College

#11

Montgomery Community College

Troy, North Carolina
296 Total Awards

Montgomery Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. MCC is a public institution located in Troy, North Carolina. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 296 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Montgomery Community College Report

#12

Brunswick Community College

Bolivia, North Carolina
454 Total Awards

Brunswick Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. This small public school is located in Bolivia, North Carolina, and it awarded 454 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Brunswick Community College Report

#13

McDowell Technical Community College

Marion, North Carolina
342 Total Awards

McDowell Technical Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Marion, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 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. Salisbury, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,803 students in 2021-2022.

Full Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Report

#15

Winston - Salem State University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
1,131 Total Awards

Winston - Salem State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. Winston - Salem State University is a medium-sized public school located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina that handed out 1,131 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#16

Lees - McRae College

Banner Elk, North Carolina
233 Total Awards

Lees - McRae College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #16 on the list. Lees - McRae College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Banner Elk, North Carolina. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 233 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Lees - McRae College Report

#17

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
1,669 Total Awards

Pitt Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. Pitt Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Winterville, North Carolina that handed out 1,669 degrees in 2021-2022.

Full Pitt Community College Report

#18

Surry Community College

Dobson, North Carolina
805 Total Awards

Surry Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #18 on the list. Dobson, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 805 students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Surry Community College

#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. Located in Hamlet, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 815 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Richmond Community College

#20

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
3,400 Total Awards

Gaston College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. Gaston College is a medium-sized public school situated in Dallas, North Carolina. It awarded 3,400 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#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. Located in Boone, North Carolina, the large public school handed out 5,388 degrees in 2021-2022.

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#22

Alamance Community College

Graham, North Carolina
1,271 Total Awards

Alamance Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Alamance Community College is a small public school located in Graham, North Carolina that handed out 1,271 degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Alamance Community College

#23

Wayne Community College

Goldsboro, North Carolina
1,488 Total Awards

Wayne Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Goldsboro, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,488 students in 2021-2022.

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#24

Lenoir Community College

Kinston, North Carolina
986 Total Awards

Lenoir Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. 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.

Read full report on Lenoir Community College

#25

South Piedmont Community College

Polkton, North Carolina
603 Total Awards

South Piedmont Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best trade school programs. South Piedmont Community College is located in Polkton, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 603 degrees to qualified students.

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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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