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Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina

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 analysis found McDowell Technical Community College to be the best value school for trade school students in North Carolina. Located in Marion, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 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.

Full McDowell Technical Community College Report

#2

Craven Community College

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Craven Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Craven Community College is a small public school located in New Bern, North Carolina that handed out 1,198 degrees in 2021-2022.

Craven Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,630 in tuition and fees each year.

Craven Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

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#3

Pitt Community College

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Pitt Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Pitt Community College is located in Winterville, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,669 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pitt Community College are $6,548 per year.

Read full report on Pitt Community College

#4

South Piedmont Community College

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Piedmont Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. South Piedmont Community College is a small public school situated in Polkton, North Carolina. It awarded 603 degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Read full report on South Piedmont Community College

#5

Forsyth Technical Community College

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

The excellent programs at Forsyth Technical Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade schools in North Carolina. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,987 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Forsyth Tech are $7,168 a year.

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#6

Vance-Granville Community College

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

Vance-Granville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Henderson, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 594 degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Full Vance-Granville Community College Report

#7

Alamance Community College

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

Alamance Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Graham, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 1,271 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

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

Full Alamance Community College Report

#8

Montgomery Community College

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

Montgomery Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina ranking. MCC is located in Troy, North Carolina and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 296 degrees to qualified students.

MCC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,682 in tuition and fees each year.

MCC 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.

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#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. Durham Technical Community College is a public institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 987 degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Full Durham Technical Community College Report

#10

Brunswick Community College

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

Brunswick Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Located in Bolivia, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 454 degrees in 2021-2022.

Brunswick Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,676 in tuition and fees each year.

Brunswick Community College 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.

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 ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 623 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of the Albemarle are $7,346 per year.

Read More…

#12

Guilford Technical Community College

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

Guilford Technical Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina ranking. Jamestown, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 2,800 students in 2021-2022.

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

Full Guilford Technical Community College Report

#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. Richmond Community College is a public institution located in Hamlet, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 815 degrees in 2021-2022.

Richmond Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,680 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#14

Central Piedmont Community College

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

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value 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.

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

Central Piedmont Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Trade Schools in North Carolina list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.

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#15

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

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

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Salisbury, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,803 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College are $6,632 per year.

Full Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Report

#16

Wayne Community College

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

Wayne Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina ranking. Wayne Community College is a small public school situated in Goldsboro, North Carolina. It awarded 1,488 degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Full Wayne Community College Report

#17

Davidson County Community College

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

Davidson County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #17 on the list. Davidson County Community College is a small public school located in Thomasville, North Carolina that handed out 1,614 degrees in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at DCCC are $7,852 a 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 came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina ranking. Lenoir Community College is a small public school located in Kinston, North Carolina that handed out 986 degrees in 2021-2022.

Lenoir Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,712 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Lenoir Community College

#19

Surry Community College

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

Surry Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Dobson, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 805 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.

Surry Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,807 in tuition and fees each year.

Read More…

#20

Central Carolina Community College

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

Central Carolina Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. This medium-sized public school is located in Sanford, North Carolina, and it awarded 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 came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Washington, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 745 degrees in 2021-2022.

Beaufort County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,662 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Beaufort County Community College

#22

Catawba Valley Community College

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

Catawba Valley Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. Catawba Valley Community College is a small public school located in Hickory, North Carolina that handed out 1,765 degrees in 2021-2022.

CVCC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,743 in tuition and fees each year.

Full Catawba Valley Community College Report

#23

Southwestern Community College

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

Southwestern Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Sylva, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 778 degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Read full report on Southwestern Community College

#24

Johnston Community College

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

Johnston Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. This small public school is located in Smithfield, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,184 degrees in 2021-2022.

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

Read full report on Johnston Community College

#25

Isothermal Community College

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

Isothermal Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value trade school programs. ICC is a small public school situated in Spindale, North Carolina. It awarded 1,063 degrees in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at ICC are $6,638 per year.

Read More…

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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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