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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.
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Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Wake Technical Community College to be the most popular school for trade school students in North Carolina. Wake Technical Community College is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,278 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $17,935 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Wake Technical Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,991 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fayetteville Technical Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina list. FTCC is a fairly large public school situated in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It awarded 3,624 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,083 in student loans.After graduating from FTCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,325 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
The programs at Guilford Technical Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in North Carolina. 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.
On average, students take out $18,760 in loans while pursuing 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. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Central Piedmont Community College is a great place for trade school students. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the fairly large public school awarded 4,083 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College accumulate an average of $6,146 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Central Piedmont Community College graduates make an average of $36,051 annually. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Forsyth Technical Community College is a great place for trade school students. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,987 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,931 in student loans.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. Of those students who received their degree, 58% 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. 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.
Degree recipients from Pitt Community College accumulate an average of $18,771 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Pitt Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,276 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Cape Fear Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. CFCC is a fairly large public school situated in Wilmington, North Carolina. It awarded 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. During the early years of their career, CFCC graduates make an average of $43,667 annually. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #8, Gaston College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Gaston College is a medium-sized public school located in Dallas, North Carolina that handed out 3,400 degrees in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Gaston College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,146 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 77% were women.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. 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. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $223.After graduating from UNC Charlotte, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,346 during the early years of their career. 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 public institution located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,353 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, Coastal Carolina Community College graduates make an average of $35,230 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Davidson County Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. DCCC is located in Thomasville, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,614 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from DCCC accumulate an average of $17,259 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, DCCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,670 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is located in Salisbury, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,803 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,611 in student loans.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. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Wilkes Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. 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. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
Alamance Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina list. This small public school is located in Graham, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,271 degrees in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, ACC graduates make an average of $30,251 annually. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
Wayne Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. 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.
Once they receive their degree, Wayne Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,473 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Catawba Valley Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #16 on the list. CVCC is a public institution located in Hickory, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,765 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,154 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CVCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,199 during the early year of their career. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Johnston Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Johnston Community College is a public institution located in Smithfield, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,184 degrees in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, Johnston Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,166 during the early year 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. ECU is a public institution located in Greenville, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,984 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from ECU accumulate an average of $34,057 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $296, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, ECU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,403 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #19, Lenoir Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in Kinston, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 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. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #20, NASCAR Technical Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $170, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from NASCAR Technical Institute, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,296 during the early years of their career. Around 5% of those degree recipients were women.
Isothermal Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Spindale, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 1,063 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, ICC graduates make an average of $35,244 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Randolph Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in North Carolina ranking. Randolph Community College is located in Asheboro, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,033 degrees to qualified students.
During the early years of their career, Randolph Community College graduates make an average of $22,535 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. CCCTI is a small public school situated in Hudson, North Carolina. It awarded 1,292 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from CCCTI accumulate an average of $9,864 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. 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.
Full Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute Report
With a ranking of #24, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. A-B Tech is a medium-sized public school situated in Asheville, North Carolina. It awarded 1,001 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,643 in student loans.After graduating from A-B Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,962 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Durham Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #25 on the list. Durham Technical Community College is a small public school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 987 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College accumulate an average of $20,147 in student debt by the time they complete 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
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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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