Find Trade Colleges

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

63 Schools Ranked
$7,786 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$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.

The Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina ranking is one of many tools that Trade College Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 63 schools in North Carolina to see which programs offered the best value experiences for trade school students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

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.

Top Value Trade Schools in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

McDowell Technical Community College

Marion, North Carolina
342 Total Awards
$6,566 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named McDowell Technical Community College the best value school in North Carolina for trade school students working on their degree. This small public school is located in Marion, North Carolina, and it awarded 342 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at McDowell Technical Community College are $6,566 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, McDowell Technical Community College also is in the top 20% of our Best Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking.

Read full report on McDowell Technical Community College

#2

Craven Community College

New Bern, North Carolina
1,198 Total Awards
$6,630 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Craven Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Located in New Bern, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 1,198 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Craven Community College are $6,630 a year.

Craven Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list.

Read full report on Craven Community College

#3

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
1,669 Total Awards
$6,548 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Pitt Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Winterville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,669 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pitt Community College are $6,548 a year.

Read More…

#4

South Piedmont Community College

Polkton, North Carolina
603 Total Awards
$6,623 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means South Piedmont Community College is a great place for trade school students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. 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.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Piedmont Community College are $6,623 per year.

Full South Piedmont Community College Report

#5

Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
1,987 Total Awards
$7,168 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Forsyth Technical Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Forsyth Tech is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,987 degrees in 2021-2022.

Forsyth Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $7,168 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Forsyth Technical Community College

#6

Vance-Granville Community College

Henderson, North Carolina
594 Total Awards
$6,552 Average Tuition & Fees

Vance-Granville Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Henderson, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 594 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Vance-Granville Community College are $6,552 per year.

Read More…

#7

Alamance Community College

Graham, North Carolina
1,271 Total Awards
$8,642 Average Tuition & Fees

Alamance Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #7 on the list. This small public school is located in Graham, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,271 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at ACC are $8,642 a year.

Read More…

#8

Montgomery Community College

Troy, North Carolina
296 Total Awards
$8,682 Average Tuition & Fees

Montgomery Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Trade School 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.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MCC are $8,682 a year.

MCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list.

Read More…

#9

Durham Technical Community College

Durham, North Carolina
987 Total Awards
$7,474 Average Tuition & Fees

Durham Technical Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 987 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Durham Technical Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,474 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#10

Brunswick Community College

Bolivia, North Carolina
454 Total Awards
$8,676 Average Tuition & Fees

Brunswick Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Bolivia, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 454 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Brunswick Community College are $8,676 per year.

Brunswick Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Full Brunswick Community College Report

#11

College of the Albemarle

Elizabeth City, North Carolina
623 Total Awards
$7,346 Average Tuition & Fees

College of the Albemarle came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina ranking. College of the Albemarle is a small public school situated in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. It awarded 623 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at College of the Albemarle are $7,346 a year.

Read More…

#12

Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, North Carolina
2,800 Total Awards
$7,695 Average Tuition & Fees

Guilford Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #12 on the list. Guilford Technical Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Jamestown, North Carolina. It awarded 2,800 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Guilford Technical Community College are $7,695 per year.

Read More…

#13

Richmond Community College

Hamlet, North Carolina
815 Total Awards
$8,680 Average Tuition & Fees

Richmond Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Hamlet, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 815 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Richmond Community College are $8,680 a year.

Full Richmond Community College Report

#14

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
4,083 Total Awards
$8,936 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 4,083 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Piedmont Community College are $8,936 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Central Piedmont Community College also is in the top 15% of our Best Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking.

Full Central Piedmont Community College Report

#15

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Salisbury, North Carolina
1,803 Total Awards
$6,632 Average Tuition & Fees

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. 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.

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,632 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#16

Wayne Community College

Goldsboro, North Carolina
1,488 Total Awards
$8,668 Average Tuition & Fees

Wayne Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Wayne Community College is located in Goldsboro, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,488 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Wayne Community College are $8,668 a year.

Read More…

#17

Davidson County Community College

Thomasville, North Carolina
1,614 Total Awards
$7,852 Average Tuition & Fees

Davidson County Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. DCCC is a public institution located in Thomasville, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,614 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DCCC are $7,852 per year.

Full Davidson County Community College Report

#18

Lenoir Community College

Kinston, North Carolina
986 Total Awards
$8,712 Average Tuition & Fees

Lenoir Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Lenoir Community College is a small public school situated in Kinston, North Carolina. It awarded 986 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.

Read More…

#19

Surry Community College

Dobson, North Carolina
805 Total Awards
$8,807 Average Tuition & Fees

Surry Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #19 on the list. Surry Community College is a small public school located in Dobson, North Carolina that handed out 805 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Surry Community College are $8,807 a year.

Full Surry Community College Report

#20

Central Carolina Community College

Sanford, North Carolina
1,151 Total Awards
$8,698 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Carolina Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Central Carolina Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Sanford, North Carolina that handed out 1,151 degrees 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.

Read More…

#21

Beaufort County Community College

Washington, North Carolina
745 Total Awards
$8,662 Average Tuition & Fees

Beaufort County Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. This small public school is located in Washington, North Carolina, and it awarded 745 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Beaufort County Community College are $8,662 per year.

Full Beaufort County Community College Report

#22

Catawba Valley Community College

Hickory, North Carolina
1,765 Total Awards
$7,743 Average Tuition & Fees

Catawba Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. Hickory, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,765 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CVCC are $7,743 per year.

Read full report on Catawba Valley Community College

#23

Southwestern Community College

Sylva, North Carolina
778 Total Awards
$7,221 Average Tuition & Fees

Southwestern Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #23 on the list. Southwestern Community College is a small public school situated in Sylva, North Carolina. It awarded 778 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southwestern Community College are $7,221 per year.

Read More…

#24

Johnston Community College

Smithfield, North Carolina
1,184 Total Awards
$8,801 Average Tuition & Fees

Johnston Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Smithfield, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,184 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Johnston Community College are $8,801 per year.

Full Johnston Community College Report

#25

Isothermal Community College

Spindale, North Carolina
1,063 Total Awards
$6,638 Average Tuition & Fees

Isothermal Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #25 on the list. ICC is located in Spindale, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,063 degrees to qualified students.

ICC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,638 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Isothermal Community College

View Best Value Trade Schools Nationwide >

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

Find Trade Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited trade schools across the U.S.