2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate 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.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. This report analyzed 39 schools in North Carolina to see which ones offered the best value basic certificate 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.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Craven Community College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate 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.
Craven Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,630 in tuition and fees each year.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Craven Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Craven Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Pitt Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in North Carolina. Pitt Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Winterville, North Carolina. It awarded 443 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pitt Community College are $6,548 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Pitt Community College. 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.
The excellent basic certificate programs at South Piedmont Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in North Carolina. South Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in Polkton, North Carolina that handed out 234 basic certificates 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.
One thing to take note of is that South Piedmont Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Out of the 39 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s value ranking, Durham Technical Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 346 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Durham Technical Community College are $7,474 a year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Durham Technical Community College. In 2020-2021 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Durham Technical Community College also is in the top 20% of our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking.
Out of the 39 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s value ranking, Forsyth Technical Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Winston-Salem, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 644 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Forsyth Tech are $7,168 per year.
You may have the opportunity 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.
With a ranking of #6, Vance-Granville Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Henderson, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 102 students 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.
Wayne Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 786 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wayne Community College are $8,668 per year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Wayne Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
Wayne Community College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list.
Alamance Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. ACC is a public institution located in Graham, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 633 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ACC are $8,642 a year.
Online courses are available at ACC, 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, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Jamestown, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 957 students in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Guilford Technical Community College are $7,695 per year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Guilford Technical Community College. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Montgomery Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Troy, North Carolina is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 158 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MCC are $8,682 a year.
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.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, MCC is ranked #5 for overall quality in North Carolina.
Davidson County Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. DCCC is located in Thomasville, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 919 basic certificates to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DCCC are $7,852 per year.
Some students may be able to take online classes at DCCC. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Beaufort County Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Washington, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 319 students in 2021-2022.
Beaufort County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,662 in tuition and fees each year.
One thing to take note of is that Beaufort County Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its great value ranking, Beaufort County Community College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list.
Central Piedmont Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the fairly large public school awarded 1,470 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Piedmont Community College are $8,936 a year.
Central Piedmont Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Central Piedmont Community College also took the #3 spot in our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina rankings.
Central Carolina Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Sanford, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 418 students in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Central Carolina Community College are $8,698 a year.
One thing to take note of is that Central Carolina Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #15, Richmond Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Hamlet, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 366 students in 2021-2022.
Richmond Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,680 in tuition and fees each year.
Richmond Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #16, Catawba Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s best value 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 tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CVCC are $7,743 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CVCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
Gaston College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Gaston College is a public institution located in Dallas, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,549 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Gaston College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,330 in tuition and fees each year.
Online courses are available at Gaston College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Gaston College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #4 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list.
Isothermal Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Spindale, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 547 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ICC are $6,638 per year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ICC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 79% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #19, Lenoir Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Lenoir Community College is a public institution located in Kinston, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 474 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lenoir Community College are $8,712 a year.
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. 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.
Southwestern Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina list. This small public school is located in Sylva, North Carolina, and it awarded 352 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Southwestern Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,221 in tuition and fees each year.
Southwestern 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 62% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
College of the Albemarle landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. College of the Albemarle is a small public school located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina that handed out 216 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
College of the Albemarle undergraduate students pay an average of $7,346 in tuition and fees each year.
College of the Albemarle does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Surry Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Surry Community College is a small public school located in Dobson, North Carolina that handed out 265 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Surry Community College are $8,807 a year.
Online courses are available at Surry Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Nash Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #23 on the list. This small public school is located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and it awarded 328 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Nash Community College are $8,834 a year.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Nash Community College. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Nash Community College also is in the top 15% of our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Wake Technical Community College is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3,202 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wake Technical Community College are $8,912 a year.
Online courses are available at Wake Technical 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 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Johnston Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Johnston Community College is a small public school situated in Smithfield, North Carolina. It awarded 409 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Johnston Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,801 in tuition and fees each year.
Johnston 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 81% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Southeast Region
View Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >
More North Carolina Rankings
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.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |