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Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina

2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina

50 Schools Ranked
$4,713 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamp that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 50 schools in North Carolina to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
89 Total Awards
$8,895 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found North Carolina State University to be the best school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in North Carolina. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 89 students in .

In-state students pay an average of $8,895 in tuition and fees if they attend NC State full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $31,767.

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#2

Campbell University

Buies Creek, North Carolina
30 Total Awards
$40,410 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent associate degree programs at Campbell University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in North Carolina. Campbell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Buies Creek, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 30 associate degrees in .

If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $40,410 to cover tuition and fees at Campbell. The school does not offer an in-state discount.

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#3

South Piedmont Community College

Polkton, North Carolina
333 Total Awards
$2,022 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means South Piedmont Community College is a great place for students working on their associate degree. South Piedmont Community College is a small public school situated in Polkton, North Carolina. It awarded 333 associate degrees in .

Students from North Carolina who attend South Piedmont Community College full time pay an average of $2,022 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,630.

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#5

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, North Carolina
2,758 Total Awards
$2,336 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Technical Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, the large public school awarded 2,758 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in .

Students from North Carolina who attend Wake Technical Community College full time pay an average of $2,336 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,582.

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#6

Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, North Carolina
2,262 Total Awards
$2,792 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Piedmont Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 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 2,262 associate degrees in .

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.

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#7

Alamance Community College

Graham, North Carolina
819 Total Awards
$2,498 Average Tuition & Fees

Alamance Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Graham, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 819 students in .

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,498 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend ACC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,642.

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730 Total Awards
$2,537 Average Tuition & Fees

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. CCCTI is located in Hudson, North Carolina and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 730 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CCCTI is $2,537. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,681.

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#9

Craven Community College

New Bern, North Carolina
657 Total Awards
$2,022 Average Tuition & Fees

Craven Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. New Bern, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 657 students in .

In-state students pay an average of $2,022 in tuition and fees if they attend Craven Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,630.

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#10

Lenoir Community College

Kinston, North Carolina
359 Total Awards
$2,568 Average Tuition & Fees

Lenoir Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Kinston, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 359 students in .

Students from North Carolina who attend Lenoir Community College full time pay an average of $2,568 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,712.

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#11

Beaufort County Community College

Washington, North Carolina
361 Total Awards
$2,540 Average Tuition & Fees

Beaufort County Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Washington, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 361 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Beaufort County Community College is $2,540. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,684.

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#12

Cleveland Community College

Shelby, North Carolina
376 Total Awards
$2,602 Average Tuition & Fees

Cleveland Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Shelby, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 376 associate degree awards in .

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.

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#13

Gaston College

Dallas, North Carolina
740 Total Awards
$3,186 Average Tuition & Fees

Gaston College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Gaston College is located in Dallas, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 740 associate degrees to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Gaston College is $3,186. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,330.

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#14

Mitchell Community College

Statesville, North Carolina
407 Total Awards
$2,651 Average Tuition & Fees

Mitchell Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list. Mitchell Community College is a small public school situated in Statesville, North Carolina. It awarded 407 associate degrees in .

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,651 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mitchell Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,795.

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#15

Johnston Community College

Smithfield, North Carolina
640 Total Awards
$2,657 Average Tuition & Fees

Johnston Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs. Johnston Community College is a public institution located in Smithfield, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 640 associate degrees in .

Students from North Carolina who attend Johnston Community College full time pay an average of $2,657 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,801.

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#16

Central Carolina Community College

Sanford, North Carolina
614 Total Awards
$2,554 Average Tuition & Fees

Central Carolina Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs. Central Carolina Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Sanford, North Carolina. It awarded 614 associate degrees in .

Students from North Carolina who attend Central Carolina Community College full time pay an average of $2,554 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,698.

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#17

Brunswick Community College

Bolivia, North Carolina
333 Total Awards
$2,532 Average Tuition & Fees

Brunswick Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Bolivia, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 333 associate degree awards in .

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,532 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Brunswick Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,676.

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#18

Durham Technical Community College

Durham, North Carolina
674 Total Awards
$2,290 Average Tuition & Fees

Durham Technical Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 674 associate degree awards in .

In-state students pay an average of $2,290 in tuition and fees if they attend Durham Technical Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,666.

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#19

Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, North Carolina
1,476 Total Awards
$2,319 Average Tuition & Fees

Guilford Technical Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Guilford Technical Community College is a public institution located in Jamestown, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,476 associate degrees in .

In-state students pay an average of $2,319 in tuition and fees if they attend Guilford Technical Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,695.

Full Guilford Technical Community College Report

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#20

Wayne Community College

Goldsboro, North Carolina
532 Total Awards
$2,524 Average Tuition & Fees

Wayne Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 532 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in .

Students from North Carolina who attend Wayne Community College full time pay an average of $2,524 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,668.

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#21

Surry Community College

Dobson, North Carolina
392 Total Awards
$2,545 Average Tuition & Fees

Surry Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs. Dobson, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 392 students in .

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,545 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Surry Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,689.

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#22

Catawba Valley Community College

Hickory, North Carolina
770 Total Awards
$2,367 Average Tuition & Fees

Catawba Valley Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree programs. CVCC is a small public school situated in Hickory, North Carolina. It awarded 770 associate degrees in .

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CVCC is $2,367. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,743.

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#23

Montgomery Community College

Troy, North Carolina
112 Total Awards
$2,538 Average Tuition & Fees

Montgomery Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Troy, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 112 students in .

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,538 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MCC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,682.

Full Montgomery Community College Report

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#24

Richmond Community College

Hamlet, North Carolina
340 Total Awards
$2,552 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #24, Richmond Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Hamlet, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 340 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in .

Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,552 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Richmond Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,696.

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#25

Pitt Community College

Winterville, North Carolina
1,112 Total Awards
$1,970 Average Tuition & Fees

Pitt Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Winterville, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,112 associate degrees in .

In-state students pay an average of $1,970 in tuition and fees if they attend Pitt Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,578.

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View Best Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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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