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2023 Most Popular 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Our analysis looked at 128 schools in North Carolina to see which 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.
Most Popular Trade 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 degree. Wake Technical Community College is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6,278 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,935 in student loans.After graduating from Wake Technical Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,991 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Fayetteville Technical Community College is a great place for trade school students. Located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the fairly large public school awarded 3,624 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $16,083 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, FTCC graduates make an average of $32,325 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Guilford Technical Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Guilford Technical Community College is a fairly large public school located in Jamestown, North Carolina that handed out 2,800 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Guilford Technical Community College accumulate an average of $18,760 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Guilford Technical Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,854 during the early year of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 128 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Piedmont Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,083 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $6,146 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Central Piedmont Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,051 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
The programs at Forsyth Technical Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in North Carolina. 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.
Degree recipients from Forsyth Tech accumulate an average of $14,931 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Forsyth Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,071 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #6, Pitt Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. 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.
On average, students take out $18,771 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Pitt Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,276 during the early years of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Cape Fear Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Cape Fear Community College is a fairly large public school located in Wilmington, North Carolina that handed out 2,074 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,329 in student loans.After graduating from CFCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,667 during the early years of their career. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Gaston College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Dallas, North Carolina, and it awarded 3,400 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Gaston College graduates make an average of $32,146 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. UNC Charlotte is a large public school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 8,666 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $27,611 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $223, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UNC Charlotte graduates make an average of $46,346 annually. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Coastal Carolina Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Coastal Carolina Community College is a small public school located in Jacksonville, North Carolina that handed out 1,353 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Coastal Carolina Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,230 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Davidson County Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Thomasville, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,614 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,259 in student loans.After graduating from DCCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,670 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Salisbury, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,803 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,611 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,511 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #13, Wilkes Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 1,085 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,621 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Wilkes Community College graduates make an average of $31,020 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
With a ranking of #14, Alamance Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Graham, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,271 students in 2021-2022.
After graduating from ACC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,251 during the early years of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Wayne Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Wayne Community College is a public institution located in Goldsboro, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,488 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Wayne Community College graduates make an average of $33,473 annually. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Catawba Valley Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. CVCC is located in Hickory, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,765 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $8,154 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CVCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,199 during the early years of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Johnston Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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.
After graduating from Johnston Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,166 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.
East Carolina University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This large public school is located in Greenville, North Carolina, and it awarded 6,984 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,057 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $296 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ECU graduates make an average of $44,403 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Lenoir Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #19 on the list. Lenoir Community College is a public institution located in Kinston, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 986 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Lenoir Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,270 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
NASCAR Technical Institute landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. This small private for-profit school is located in Mooresville, North Carolina, and it awarded 543 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from NASCAR Technical Institute accumulate an average of $12,612 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $170 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, NASCAR Technical Institute graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,296 during the early year of their career. Around 5% of those degree recipients were women.
Isothermal Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #21 on the list. ICC is a public institution located in Spindale, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,063 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from ICC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,244 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Randolph Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #22 on the list. Randolph Community College is a public institution located in Asheboro, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,033 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Randolph Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $22,535 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina list. CCCTI is a public institution located in Hudson, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,292 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,864 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CCCTI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,561 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #24 on the list. A-B Tech is located in Asheville, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,001 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,643 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, A-B Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,962 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #25, Durham Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. This small public school is located in Durham, North Carolina, and it awarded 987 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $20,147 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Durham Technical Community College graduates make an average of $40,666 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
Most Popular Trade School Schools in the Southeast Region
View Most Popular Trade School Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular trade school schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Central Carolina Community College | Sanford, NC |
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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