NC School Directory
Compare 29 accredited trade schools across 17 cities — tuition, programs, and NC licensing rules
29
Schools
17
Cities
15
Trade Programs
North Carolina's 58-college Community College System provides the state's primary trade education infrastructure, supplemented by a strong network of private career colleges. The state offers some of the most affordable in-state tuition in the country and has rapidly expanded short-term workforce credentials in HVAC, welding, electrical, and healthcare.
NC's major growth corridors — the Research Triangle, Charlotte, and the Piedmont Triad — are driving demand for electricians, HVAC techs, and CDL drivers. The chip and EV battery investments (Wolfspeed, Toyota Battery Plant in Liberty, Vinfast) plus continuing Charlotte construction have created multi-year demand for skilled trades.
Based on hiring activity, employer demand, and program enrollment in NC.
Rapid residential growth in Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham metros
Toyota Battery Plant, Wolfspeed, and Apple Research Triangle expansion
Major freight corridor (I-85, I-95, I-40) with strong starting pay
EV battery plant construction and Piedmont manufacturing base
Atrium, Novant, and Duke Health driving sustained healthcare hiring
Typical range
$3,500–$15,000
Total tuition
Listed school avg.
$8,901
Across 29 schools
Schools listed
29
In 17 cities
See our full trade school cost guide for state-by-state breakdowns and a deeper look at how to fund your training.
Trade licensing in NC varies by program. Here's what you'll typically need to legally work in each field after training:
| Trade | NC Requirement |
|---|---|
| Electrician | NC State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors license (Limited, Intermediate, Unlimited) |
| Plumber | NC State Board of Examiners P-I or P-II license |
| HVAC Technician | NC State Board H-I, H-II, or H-III license; EPA 608 required |
| CDL | Class A/B issued by NCDMV; ELDT-compliant training required |
| Cosmetology | 1,500 hours + NC State Board exam |
In-state tuition at NC community colleges is approximately $76 per credit hour, making most diploma programs total $2,500-$5,000 in tuition. Add tools, books, and fees and the typical out-of-pocket cost is $4,000-$8,000.
Wake Tech (Raleigh), Central Piedmont (Charlotte), and Forsyth Tech (Winston-Salem) consistently rank among the top HVAC programs in NC. All offer NATE-aligned curriculum and EPA 608 prep.
Yes — all accredited NC community colleges and most private trade schools accept federal financial aid including Pell Grants and federal student loans. Many also accept the GI Bill for veterans.
Median listed tuition across 27 North Carolina schools that publish a price is $4,500, ranging from $1,986 to $28,000. The table below breaks that down by program — every figure comes from the tuition these schools publish, not a national average.
| Program | Programs | Median tuition | Range | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💇 Cosmetology | 22 | $4,560 | $1,986–$19,500 | 9-15 months |
| 🩺 Medical Assistant | 20 | $4,500 | $1,986–$28,000 | 9-12 months |
| ❄️ HVAC Technician | 18 | $2,800 | $1,216–$17,500 | 6-24 months |
| 🔥 Welding | 18 | $2,800 | $1,270–$17,500 | 6-18 months |
| 💊 Pharmacy Technician | 18 | $4,500 | $1,986–$14,500 | 6-12 months |
| 💻 IT & Networking | 18 | $2,993 | $1,986–$28,000 | 6-24 months |
| ⚡ Electrician | 16 | $4,000 | $1,040–$28,000 | 9-24 months |
| 🚗 Automotive Technician | 15 | $3,843 | $1,986–$5,764 | 6-24 months |
| 🪚 Carpentry | 15 | $3,186 | $1,986–$5,764 | 6-24 months |
| 🚚 CDL Training | 14 | $2,800 | $1,500–$6,500 | 3-8 weeks |
| 🔧 Plumbing | 13 | $3,186 | $1,986–$5,764 | 9-24 months |
| 👨🍳 Culinary Arts | 13 | $3,186 | $1,986–$5,764 | 6-24 months |
| 🦷 Dental Assistant | 11 | $4,500 | $2,276–$14,500 | 9-12 months |
| 🐾 Veterinary Technician | 8 | $2,993 | $2,540–$5,764 | 18-24 months |
| 💆 Massage Therapy | 5 | $2,800 | $2,500–$5,056 | 6-12 months |
Based on the 29 schools listed on Trade Schools Review in North Carolina. Median is calculated across programs with a published tuition figure; schools that quote on request are excluded. Confirm current pricing with the school.
The lowest published tuition among North Carolina schools in our directory. Public community and technical colleges dominate this list — they charge in-district rates for the same credentials private career colleges sell at several times the price.
Durham, NC · Public Community College
$1,986
listed tuition
Winston-Salem, NC · Public Community College
$2,276
listed tuition
Flat Rock, NC · Community College
$2,280
listed tuition
Graham, NC · Community College
$2,528
listed tuition
Bolivia, NC · Community College
$2,532
listed tuition
Hudson, NC · Community College
$2,537
listed tuition
Washington, NC · Community College
$2,540
listed tuition
Dublin, NC · Community College
$2,558
listed tuition
Charlotte has the most options in the state with 5 schools. Pick a city to compare local programs, tuition, and schedules.
2110 Water Ridge Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28217
$12,000
600 students
1201 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28235
$2,800
40,000 students
4800 Airport Center Parkway #100, Charlotte, NC 28208
$18,484
1,500 students
4901 N Tryon Street, Suite B, Charlotte, NC 28213
$16,200
300 students
1516 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204
$19,500
250 students
2001 East Wendover Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405
$16,200
280 students
1312 Bridford Parkway, Suite 105, Greensboro, NC 27407
$16,200
200 students
3505 East Wendover Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405
$4,500
8,000 students
4900 Koger Boulevard, Suite 400, Greensboro, NC 27407
$28,000
600 students
3200 Spring Forest Road, Suite 214, Raleigh, NC 27616
$16,500
700 students
3901 Capital Boulevard, Suite 151, Raleigh, NC 27604
$14,000
600 students
8551 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
$19,500
250 students
6600 Louisburg Road, Raleigh, NC 27616
$4,500
18,000 students
9101 Fayetteville Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
$4,500
74,000 students
With 29 options to compare, choosing the right trade school takes some research. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating programs in NC: