2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. This report analyzed 50 schools in North Carolina to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found South Piedmont Community College to be the best value school for students who want to pursue a associate degree in North Carolina. Polkton, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 273 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at South Piedmont Community College are $6,623 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,967 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
South Piedmont Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 83% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
South Piedmont Community College not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Craven Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Craven Community College is a small public school situated in New Bern, North Carolina. It awarded 500 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Craven Community College are $6,630 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,946 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Craven Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Craven Community College also is in the top 20% of our Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking.
Out of the 50 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s value ranking, Pitt Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Winterville, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,259 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Pitt Community College are $6,548 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $24,602 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Pitt Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Alamance Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Graham, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 605 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
ACC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,070 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,359 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ACC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, ACC also is in the top 15% of our Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking.
Out of the 50 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s value ranking, Vance-Granville Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Vance-Granville Community College is a small public school situated in Henderson, North Carolina. It awarded 461 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Vance-Granville Community College are $6,552 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,813 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Vance-Granville Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Durham Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Durham Technical Community College is a public institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 634 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Durham Technical Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,479 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $23,974 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Durham Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #7, Guilford Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Jamestown, North Carolina, and it awarded 1,500 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Guilford Technical Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,665 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $23,911 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Guilford Technical Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 74% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #8, Forsyth Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Forsyth Tech is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,163 associate degrees to qualified students.
Forsyth Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $7,168 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,896 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Forsyth Tech. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 87% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. CCCTI is located in Hudson, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 932 associate degrees to qualified students.
CCCTI undergraduate students pay an average of $8,681 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,798 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
CCCTI does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, CCCTI also is in the top 15% of our Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking.
Read full report on Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
Wake Technical Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. This large public school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 3,141 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wake Technical Community College are $8,912 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $22,857 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Wake Technical Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Wake Technical Community College did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list.
With a ranking of #11, Beaufort County Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Washington, North Carolina, and it awarded 320 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Beaufort County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,662 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,327 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Beaufort County Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Beaufort County Community College also is in the top 20% of our Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking.
With a ranking of #12, Lenoir Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Kinston, North Carolina, and it awarded 441 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lenoir Community College are $8,712 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,861 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Lenoir Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lenoir Community College also claimed a spot on our Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Central Piedmont Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Central Piedmont Community College is a fairly large public school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 2,460 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Piedmont Community College are $8,936 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,022 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Central Piedmont Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Central Piedmont Community College also is in the top 10% of our Best Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking.
With a ranking of #14, Catawba Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. CVCC is located in Hickory, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 734 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CVCC are $7,743 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,680 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CVCC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Davidson County Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. DCCC is located in Thomasville, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 593 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DCCC are $7,658 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,103 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since DCCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
College of the Albemarle did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Elizabeth City, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 385 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of the Albemarle are $7,346 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,191 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that College of the Albemarle does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cleveland Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Cleveland Community College is located in Shelby, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 403 associate degrees to qualified students.
Cleveland Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,746 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,302 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Cleveland Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Central Carolina Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. This small public school is located in Sanford, North Carolina, and it awarded 549 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Central Carolina Community College are $8,698 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,048 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Central Carolina Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #19, Brunswick Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Bolivia, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 311 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Brunswick Community College are $8,676 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $9,954 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Brunswick Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Wayne Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Wayne Community College is a small public school situated in Goldsboro, North Carolina. It awarded 555 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Wayne Community College are $8,668 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,182 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
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 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #21, McDowell Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Located in Marion, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 151 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at McDowell Technical Community College are $6,534 a year.
Online courses are available at McDowell Technical Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Mitchell Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #22 on the list. Mitchell Community College is a small public school located in Statesville, North Carolina that handed out 428 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Mitchell Community College are $8,795 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,331 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Mitchell Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Johnston Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Johnston Community College is located in Smithfield, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 719 associate degrees to qualified students.
Johnston Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,801 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,306 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Johnston Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.
Montgomery Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Troy, North Carolina, the very small public school awarded 136 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MCC are $8,682 a year.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.
Bladen Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Bladen Community College is a small public school located in Dublin, North Carolina that handed out 283 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BCC are $7,630 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $17,853 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that BCC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 96% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Best Value Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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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.
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