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2023 Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. 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 help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Our analysis looked at 77 schools in North Carolina to see which basic certificate programs were the most popular for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Trade Basic Certificate Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Wake Technical Community College the most popular school in North Carolina for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 3,202 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,768 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Wake Technical Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,912. Around 51% of those degree recipients were women.
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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Central Piedmont Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 1,470 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,792 in tuition and fees if they attend Central Piedmont Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,936. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Central Piedmont Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
The excellent basic certificate programs at Gaston College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in North Carolina. Gaston College is a medium-sized public school situated in Dallas, North Carolina. It awarded 2,549 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend Gaston College full time pay an average of $3,186 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,330. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Gaston College. In 2020-2021 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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 basic certificate. Forsyth Tech is a public institution located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 644 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,152 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Forsyth Tech. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,168. Around 47% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Forsyth Tech does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Coastal Carolina Community College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. This small public school is located in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and it awarded 510 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,462 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Coastal Carolina Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,606. Of those students who received their degree, 37% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Coastal Carolina Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.
Fayetteville Technical Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,772 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at FTCC is $2,564. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,708. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at FTCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Cape Fear Community College is a fairly large public school located in Wilmington, North Carolina that handed out 537 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,748 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CFCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,892. Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.
CFCC 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, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Pitt Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Winterville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 443 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $1,940 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Pitt Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,548. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 77% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Alamance Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Alamance Community College is a small public school located in Graham, North Carolina that handed out 633 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,498 in tuition and fees if they attend ACC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,642. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
ACC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Wilkes Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 493 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Wilkes Community College is $2,572. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,716. Around 41% of those degree recipients were women.
Wilkes Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #11, Guilford Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Jamestown, North Carolina, the fairly large public school awarded 957 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,319 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Guilford Technical Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,695. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
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.
With a ranking of #12, Davidson County Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Thomasville, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 919 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at DCCC is $2,208. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,852. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.
DCCC 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 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Catawba Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #13 on the list. Hickory, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 752 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CVCC is $2,367. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,743. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CVCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Isothermal Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. ICC is a public institution located in Spindale, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 547 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,030 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ICC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,638. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that ICC does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a public institution located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 839 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is $2,024. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,632. Around 45% of those degree recipients were women.
Rowan-Cabarrus 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 2020-2021 about 82% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Wayne Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. This small public school is located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 786 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,524 in tuition and fees if they attend Wayne Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,668. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Wayne 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 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Lenoir Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Kinston, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 474 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,568 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Lenoir Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,712. Around 50% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lenoir Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Randolph Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Located in Asheboro, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 449 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Randolph Community College is $2,416. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,176. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Randolph Community College 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.
Johnston Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Smithfield, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 409 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,657 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Johnston Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,801. Of those students who received their degree, 33% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Johnston Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Durham Technical Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular basic certificate trade school programs. Durham Technical Community College is a small public school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 346 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend Durham Technical Community College full time pay an average of $2,229 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,474. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Durham Technical Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 89% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cleveland Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Cleveland Community College is a small public school situated in Shelby, North Carolina. It awarded 448 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,602 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cleveland Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,746. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Hudson, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 367 students in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend CCCTI full time pay an average of $2,537 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,681. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
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.
Full Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Report
Nash Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Nash Community College is a small public school situated in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It awarded 328 basic certificates in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Nash Community College is $2,834. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,834. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
Nash Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwestern Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in Sylva, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 352 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,229 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Southwestern Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,221. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Southwestern Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Basic Certificate Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school handed out 335 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,832 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend A-B Tech. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,976. Around 49% of those degree recipients were women.
A-B Tech does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
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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.