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Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina

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2023 Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

45 Schools Ranked
$8,050 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$14,660 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 Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Our analysis looked at 45 schools in North Carolina to see which undergraduate certificate 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Pitt Community College

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

Our analysis found Pitt Community College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a undergraduate certificate in North Carolina. Pitt Community College is a public institution located in Winterville, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 164 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pitt Community College are $6,548 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $16,572 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at Pitt Community College, 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, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

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

Full Pitt Community College Report

#2

Alamance Community College

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

The excellent undergraduate certificate programs at Alamance Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in North Carolina. ACC is a public institution located in Graham, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 65 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

ACC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,642 in tuition and fees each year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ACC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

ACC also made our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list, coming in at #1.

Read full report on Alamance Community College

#3

South Piedmont Community College

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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend South Piedmont Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina list. South Piedmont Community College is a public institution located in Polkton, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 69 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

South Piedmont Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,623 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that South Piedmont Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#4

Forsyth Technical Community College

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

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Forsyth Technical Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Forsyth Tech is a medium-sized public school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 230 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Forsyth Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $7,168 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,956 in student loans.

Forsyth Tech does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Forsyth Technical Community College Report

#5

Montgomery Community College

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Montgomery Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina list. This very small public school is located in Troy, North Carolina, and it awarded 24 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

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

MCC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list.

Full Montgomery Community College Report

#6

Central Piedmont Community College

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

Central Piedmont Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 154 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Central Piedmont Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,936 in tuition and fees each 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 #2 spot in our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina rankings.

Full Central Piedmont Community College Report

#7

Guilford Technical Community College

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

Guilford Technical Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Jamestown, North Carolina, the fairly large public school handed out 412 undergraduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Guilford Technical Community College are $7,695 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $17,788 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Guilford Technical 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 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#8

Brunswick Community College

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

Brunswick Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Brunswick Community College is a public institution located in Bolivia, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Brunswick Community College are $8,676 a year.

Brunswick 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.

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

Read More…

#9

Vance-Granville Community College

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

Vance-Granville Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Henderson, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate 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.

Vance-Granville Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#10

Durham Technical Community College

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

With a ranking of #10, Durham Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Located in Durham, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 131 undergraduate certificate awards 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. Undergraduate Certificate recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,996 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Durham Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#11

College of the Albemarle

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

College of the Albemarle ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina list. College of the Albemarle is located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 58 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

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

Online courses are available at College of the Albemarle, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on College of the Albemarle

66 Total Awards
$8,976 Average Tuition & Fees

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina list. A-B Tech is a public institution located in Asheville, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 66 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at A-B Tech are $8,976 a year. By the time they get their undergraduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,465 in student loans.

A-B Tech 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. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.

In addition to its great value ranking, A-B Tech is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Undergraduate Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list.

Read More…

#13

Central Carolina Community College

Sanford, North Carolina
118 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 to get an undergraduate certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Central Carolina Community College is located in Sanford, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 118 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

Central Carolina Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,698 in tuition and fees each year.

Central Carolina Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#14

Bladen Community College

Dublin, North Carolina
86 Total Awards
$7,630 Average Tuition & Fees

Bladen Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Located in Dublin, North Carolina, the very small public school awarded 86 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

BCC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,630 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Bladen Community College Report

#15

Richmond Community College

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

Richmond Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina list. Richmond Community College is a small public school situated in Hamlet, North Carolina. It awarded 58 undergraduate certificates 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.

Read full report on Richmond Community College

#16

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville, North Carolina
176 Total Awards
$8,708 Average Tuition & Fees

Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. FTCC is a fairly large public school situated in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It awarded 176 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at FTCC are $8,708 a year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $15,322 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that FTCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Fayetteville Technical Community College Report

#17

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
178 Total Awards
$8,912 Average Tuition & Fees

Wake Technical Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina list. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 178 students in 2021-2022.

Wake Technical Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,912 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $16,626 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Wake Technical Community College. In 2020-2021 about 77% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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

Read More…

#18

Lenoir Community College

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

With a ranking of #18, Lenoir Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. Lenoir Community College is a small public school situated in Kinston, North Carolina. It awarded 120 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lenoir Community College are $8,712 per year.

Lenoir Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Lenoir Community College Report

#19

Surry Community College

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

Surry Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina list. Dobson, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 89 students in 2021-2022.

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

Some students may be able to take online classes at Surry Community College. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Surry Community College Report

#20

Wayne Community College

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

Wayne Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 203 diplomas to qualifed undergraduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

Wayne Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,668 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Wayne Community College does offer online classes in some areas. 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.

Read More…

#21

Beaufort County Community College

Washington, North Carolina
96 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 Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. Beaufort County Community College is located in Washington, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 96 undergraduate certificates to qualified students.

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. 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.

Full Beaufort County Community College Report

#22

Isothermal Community College

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

Isothermal Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Trade School Undergraduate Certificate Schools in North Carolina ranking. ICC is a public institution located in Spindale, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 153 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

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

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at ICC. In 2020-2021 about 79% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Isothermal Community College

#23

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

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

With a ranking of #23, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their undergraduate certificate. This medium-sized public school is located in Salisbury, North Carolina, and it awarded 154 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College are $6,632 per year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $10,527 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. In 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

#24

Davidson County Community College

Thomasville, North Carolina
173 Total Awards
$7,852 Average Tuition & Fees
$18,776 Avg Student Debt

Davidson County Community College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Thomasville, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out undergraduate certificates to 173 students in 2021-2022.

DCCC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,852 in tuition and fees each year. On average, undergraduate certificate students take out $18,776 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Online courses are available at DCCC, 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, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Davidson County Community College

#25

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
100 Total Awards
$9,330 Average Tuition & Fees

Gaston College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value undergraduate certificate trade school programs. Gaston College is a medium-sized public school situated in Dallas, North Carolina. It awarded 100 undergraduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Gaston College undergraduate students pay an average of $9,330 in tuition and fees each year.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Gaston College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

View Best Value Trade Undergraduate Certificate 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.

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