North Carolina Trade Schools: Cost, Completion & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Trade schools in North Carolina: 87 trade and vocational campuses (56 trade schools, 31 community colleges) median net price $7,890 (-44.5% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $33,330 (-4.7% vs U.S.) median completion rate 46.9% employment-outcome proxy 79.0% working & not enrolled at 8 years.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 87 campuses (56 trade schools, 31 community colleges)
- Total enrollment: 166,932 students
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $33,330 (-4.7% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 79.0% (-1.9 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $7,890 (-44.5% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $11,084 (+14.3% vs U.S. $9,699); regional median $9,724. Debt rank: #48 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #12 in Southeast of 12
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 46.9%
- Earnings rank: #33 nationally (higher median 10-yr earnings = better rank)
- Employment-outcome rank: #39 nationally (higher working share = better rank)
- Student debt rank: #48 nationally of 52; #12 in Southeast of 12 (lower debt = better rank)
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Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
Trade schools and vocational programs in North Carolina include certificate-focused campuses and community colleges with career and technical education pathways. 87 campuses in this profile (56 trade schools, 31 community colleges), with about 166,932 students enrolled, and median net price near $7,890. Programs span healthcare, skilled trades, manufacturing, and other workforce credentials—tables below compare completion, earnings, and employment outcomes with U.S. and Southeast medians.
North Carolina vs regional & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (NC) | — | $7,890 | $11,084 | 46.9% | 166,932 |
| Southeast (region median) | — | $12,646 | $9,724 | 53.3% | 1,214,956 |
| United States | — | $14,215 | $9,699 | 63.3% | 5,490,315 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: North Carolina vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (NC) | $33,330 | 79.0% | N/A | 8.0% | — | 44.4% | 0.33 |
| United States | $34,984 | 80.9% | 64.9% | 11.1% | — | 50.5% | 0.28 |
North Carolina vs peer states (Southeast region)
Peer states are other campuses in the same Scorecard region, chosen by similar total enrollment.
| State | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (NC) | N/A | $7,890 | $11,084 | 46.9% | 166,932 | $33,330 | 79.0% |
| Georgia (GA) | N/A | $14,247 | $10,610 | 47.8% | 121,586 | $31,164 | 80.4% |
| Virginia (VA) | N/A | $11,928 | $10,409 | 50.0% | 103,379 | $33,772 | 79.7% |
| Tennessee (TN) | N/A | $12,684 | $8,725 | 71.6% | 74,238 | $34,811 | 80.8% |
| South Carolina (SC) | N/A | $14,029 | $9,616 | 50.7% | 69,789 | $31,360 | 80.4% |
| United States | N/A | $14,215 | $9,699 | 63.3% | 5,490,315 | $34,984 | 80.9% |
Outcomes by sector in North Carolina
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private for-profit | 20 | $26,696 | 76.1% | N/A | 11.7% | — | 36.7% |
| Public | 59 | $34,139 | 79.5% | N/A | 1.4% | — | 47.2% |
Top 10 trade schools in North Carolina by completion rate (150% time, certificate programs)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate among trade schools and community colleges in this profile (enrollment ≥ 50). Source: College Scorecard.
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Rank 1, Completion Rate, 96.4%, Leons Beauty School Inc
Leons Beauty School Inc
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Rank 2, Completion Rate, 90.0%, Center for Massage
Center for Massage
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Rank 3, Completion Rate, 83.9%, Montgomery Community College
Montgomery Community College
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Rank 4, Completion Rate, 81.8%, Aveda Institute-Chapel Hill
Aveda Institute-Chapel Hill
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Rank 5, Completion Rate, 79.0%, Miller-Motte College-Raleigh
Miller-Motte College-Raleigh
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Rank 6, Completion Rate, 77.7%, Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville
Miller-Motte College-Fayetteville
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Rank 7, Completion Rate, 77.2%, Southeastern College-Charlotte
Southeastern College-Charlotte
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Rank 8, Completion Rate, 75.0%, Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville
Miller-Motte College-Jacksonville
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Rank 9, Completion Rate, 70.0%, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
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Rank 10, Completion Rate, 66.0%, Paul Mitchell the School-Fayetteville
Paul Mitchell the School-Fayetteville
Top 10 trade schools in North Carolina by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 87.8%, MyComputerCareer at Raleigh
MyComputerCareer at Raleigh
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 87.4%, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 86.7%, Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 84.2%, Nash Community College
Nash Community College
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 82.8%, Gaston College
Gaston College
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 82.6%, Catawba Valley Community College
Catawba Valley Community College
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 81.8%, Forsyth Technical Community College
Forsyth Technical Community College
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Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 81.7%, Pitt Community College
Pitt Community College
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Rank 9, Employment Outcome, 81.5%, Blue Ridge Community College
Blue Ridge Community College
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Rank 10, Employment Outcome, 81.5%, Surry Community College
Surry Community College
Top 10 trade schools in North Carolina by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $59,817, Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $55,688, MyComputerCareer at Raleigh
MyComputerCareer at Raleigh
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,954, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $36,166, Montgomery Community College
Montgomery Community College
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $35,300, Wake Technical Community College
Wake Technical Community College
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $35,192, Coastal Carolina Community College
Coastal Carolina Community College
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $33,755, McDowell Technical Community College
McDowell Technical Community College
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Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $33,629, Johnston Community College
Johnston Community College
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Rank 9, Mid-Career Earnings, $32,930, Stanly Community College
Stanly Community College
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Rank 10, Mid-Career Earnings, $32,904, Craven Community College
Craven Community College
Top 10 trade schools in North Carolina by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $64,384, Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $59,407, MyComputerCareer at Raleigh
MyComputerCareer at Raleigh
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $41,048, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $38,144, Wake Technical Community College
Wake Technical Community College
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $36,296, Coastal Carolina Community College
Coastal Carolina Community College
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $36,044, Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $35,885, Catawba Valley Community College
Catawba Valley Community College
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Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $35,072, South Piedmont Community College
South Piedmont Community College
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Rank 9, 8-Yr Earnings, $35,000, Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College
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Rank 10, 8-Yr Earnings, $34,886, Craven Community College
Craven Community College
Top 10 trade schools in North Carolina by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
None
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $64,624, Carolinas College of Health Sciences
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $42,759, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $41,769, Wake Technical Community College
Wake Technical Community College
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $38,654, Cape Fear Community College
Cape Fear Community College
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $37,865, Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $37,310, Johnston Community College
Johnston Community College
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $37,308, South Piedmont Community College
South Piedmont Community College
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Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $37,259, Pitt Community College
Pitt Community College
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Rank 9, 10-Yr Earnings, $36,977, Catawba Valley Community College
Catawba Valley Community College
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Rank 10, 10-Yr Earnings, $36,686, Stanly Community College
Stanly Community College
Top 10 trade schools in North Carolina by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year ROI among trade schools and community colleges with enrollment ≥ 50.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $265,140, MyComputerCareer at Raleigh
MyComputerCareer at Raleigh
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $190,910, Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $171,086, Wake Technical Community College
Wake Technical Community College
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $166,112, Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $165,673, Stanly Community College
Stanly Community College
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $165,083, Surry Community College
Surry Community College
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $164,920, Wayne Community College
Wayne Community College
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $164,608, Durham Technical Community College
Durham Technical Community College
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Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $164,030, Johnston Community College
Johnston Community College
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Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $162,629, Montgomery Community College
Montgomery Community College
Top 10 most affordable trade schools in North Carolina (net price)
Lowest median net price among trade schools and community colleges with enrollment ≥ 50.
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Rank 1, Net Price, N/A, Edgecombe Community College
Edgecombe Community College
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Rank 2, Net Price, $1,095, Piedmont Community College
Piedmont Community College
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Rank 3, Net Price, $1,321, Pamlico Community College
Pamlico Community College
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Rank 4, Net Price, $995, Cleveland Community College
Cleveland Community College
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Rank 5, Net Price, $-264, Wilkes Community College
Wilkes Community College
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Rank 6, Net Price, $1,776, Johnston Community College
Johnston Community College
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Rank 7, Net Price, $1,664, Durham Technical Community College
Durham Technical Community College
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Rank 8, Net Price, $2,060, Rockingham Community College
Rockingham Community College
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Rank 9, Net Price, $3,064, Wilson Community College
Wilson Community College
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Rank 10, Net Price, $3,108, Sampson Community College
Sampson Community College
Student debt: North Carolina vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in North Carolina is $11,084 (+14.3% vs U.S. median $9,699). Regional median: $9,724. Rank: #48 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #12 in Southeast of 12.
Median earnings (10 years out): North Carolina vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in North Carolina center around $33,330 (-4.7% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: North Carolina vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 79.0% at the median North Carolina campus (-1.9 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Median graduate debt is $11,084 (+14.3% above the U.S. median of $9,699, and +14.0% vs the Southeast regional median of $9,724). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Student debt rank: #48 nationally of 52 (lower debt = better rank); #12 in Southeast of 12 (1 = lowest median debt).
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in North Carolina are $33,330, about -4.7% vs the U.S. campus median ($34,984).
The median campus reports 79.0% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 80.9% (-1.9 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 8.0% (U.S. 11.1%); 3-yr repayment progress 44.4% (U.S. 50.5%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Nationally, North Carolina ranks earnings #33 and employment proxy #39 on these outcome medians (1 = best).
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include MyComputerCareer at Raleigh (87.8%), Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Charlotte (87.4%), Carolinas College of Health Sciences (86.7%), Nash Community College (84.2%), Gaston College (82.8%), Catawba Valley Community College (82.6%), Forsyth Technical Community College (81.8%), Pitt Community College (81.7%), Blue Ridge Community College (81.5%), Surry Community College (81.5%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within North Carolina, sector medians diverge: Private for-profit median 10-yr earnings $26,696 (20 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $34,139 (59 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in North Carolina is 46.9% (national institution average about 63.3%).
FAQ
How much do trade schools cost in North Carolina?
Among trade schools and community colleges in North Carolina, median net price is $7,890 vs $14,215 nationally (-44.5% vs U.S.).
What is typical student debt at North Carolina trade schools?
Median federal loan debt among completers at trade and vocational campuses in North Carolina is $11,084 vs a U.S. median of $9,699 (North Carolina ranks #48 nationally for median debt among states.)
What do trade school graduates earn in North Carolina?
Median earnings 10 years after entry for North Carolina trade schools and community colleges reporting to the College Scorecard is $33,330 vs $34,984 nationally. Six-year medians are $29,763.
What share of North Carolina trade school students are working after completion?
The federal employment-outcome proxy on this site (8-year cohort working and not enrolled) has a median of 79.0% in North Carolina vs 80.9% nationally.
How many trade schools are in North Carolina?
This profile covers 56 trade schools and 31 community colleges (87 total) in North Carolina with roughly 166,932 total reported enrollment.
How many public vs. private trade schools are in North Carolina?
Among trade schools and community colleges with outcomes in the College Scorecard extract: 59 public, 0 private nonprofit, and 20 private for-profit institutions.
What are the top trade schools in North Carolina?
Rankings on this page use College Scorecard medians for trade schools and community colleges; standouts include highest completion rate: Leons Beauty School Inc; highest 10-year earnings: Carolinas College of Health Sciences; lowest net price among large campuses: Edgecombe Community College. See the ranked lists below for full details.
Are there Hispanic-serving or other designated trade schools in North Carolina?
Among 168 campuses in North Carolina, 10 historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs, IPEDS HBCU flag), including Bennett College, Elizabeth City State University, and Fayetteville State University; 2 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Montgomery Community College and Sampson Community College; 35 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: United Methodist (9), Presbyterian Church (USA) (5), Baptist (3).
How does North Carolina compare to its Census region for trade schools?
North Carolina is in the Southeast region. Regional median net price is $12,646 and median 10-year earnings are $32,612 vs $7,890 net price and $33,330 earnings in North Carolina.
Sources & related
- All trade school profiles
- North Carolina college profile
- Trade school costs by state
- Trade schools and public community colleges (College Scorecard)
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
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