2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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 Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 42 schools in North Carolina to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for trade school students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Craven Community College the best value school in North Carolina for trade school students working on their associate degree. Located in New Bern, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 660 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Craven Community College are $6,630 per year.
Craven Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Craven Community College also took the #1 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina rankings.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Pitt Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. This medium-sized public school is located in Winterville, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,062 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pitt Community College are $6,548 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $19,749 in loans while pursuing their degree.
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. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Pitt Community College also is in the top 15% of our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Piedmont Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. South Piedmont Community College is a small public school situated in Polkton, North Carolina. It awarded 300 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at South Piedmont Community College are $6,623 a year.
Online courses are available at South Piedmont Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Vance-Granville Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Vance-Granville Community College is a small public school located in Henderson, North Carolina that handed out 424 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Vance-Granville Community College are $6,552 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Vance-Granville Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Forsyth Technical Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,113 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Forsyth Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $7,168 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,817 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Forsyth Tech, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Richmond Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. This small public school is located in Hamlet, North Carolina, and it awarded 391 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Richmond Community College are $8,680 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Richmond Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Richmond Community College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list.
Brunswick Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Bolivia, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 282 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Brunswick Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,676 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Brunswick 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.
Brunswick Community College also took the #4 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina rankings.
Montgomery Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Troy, North Carolina is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 114 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MCC are $8,682 per year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 48% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
In addition to its great value ranking, MCC is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list.
With a ranking of #9, Lenoir Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Lenoir Community College is a small public school situated in Kinston, North Carolina. It awarded 392 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lenoir Community College are $8,712 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Lenoir Community College. 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.
Lenoir Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list.
College of the Albemarle came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. College of the Albemarle is a small public school situated in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. It awarded 349 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of the Albemarle are $7,346 per year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at College of the Albemarle. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
Alamance Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. This small public school is located in Graham, North Carolina, and it awarded 573 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
ACC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,642 in tuition and fees each year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at ACC. In 2020-2021 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Davidson County Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Davidson County Community College is a small public school located in Thomasville, North Carolina that handed out 522 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DCCC are $7,852 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $15,605 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able 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.
With a ranking of #13, Central Piedmont Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 2,459 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Central Piedmont Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,936 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $6,146 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Central Piedmont Community College. In 2020-2021 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Central Piedmont Community College also took the #2 spot in our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina rankings.
Surry Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. This small public school is located in Dobson, North Carolina, and it awarded 451 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Surry Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,807 in tuition and fees each year.
One thing to take note of is that Surry Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Surry Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Associate Degree Trade Schools in North Carolina list.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 510 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Durham Technical Community College are $7,474 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,349 in student loans.
Durham Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwestern Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Sylva, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 364 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southwestern Community College are $7,221 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,091 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Southwestern Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Johnston Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Located in Smithfield, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 671 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Johnston Community College are $8,801 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Johnston Community College. In 2020-2021 about 81% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #18, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is located in Salisbury, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 810 associate degrees to qualified students.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,632 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,696 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
Cleveland Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Shelby, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 467 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cleveland Community College are $8,746 a year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cleveland Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Guilford Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Jamestown, North Carolina, the fairly large public school awarded 1,431 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Guilford Technical Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,695 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,790 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Guilford Technical Community College. In 2020-2021 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #21, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their associate degree. Hudson, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 795 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CCCTI are $8,681 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $9,864 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
CCCTI does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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 full report on Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Catawba Valley Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Catawba Valley Community College is a small public school located in Hickory, North Carolina that handed out 938 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
CVCC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,743 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,351 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that CVCC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Wayne Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Goldsboro, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 499 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wayne Community College are $8,668 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Wayne Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree trade school programs. Beaufort County Community College is a public institution located in Washington, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 330 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Beaufort County Community College are $8,662 per year.
Beaufort County Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Central Carolina Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Sanford, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 615 students in 2021-2022.
Central Carolina Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,698 in tuition and fees each year.
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.
Best Value Trade Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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