Trade Schools in North Carolina

Trade schools typically offer a hands-on, convenient, fast-tracked, and effective pathway to start successful careers in several interesting fields. Becoming a trade school student in North Carolina usually involves first understanding how trade schools in the state work, along with some important considerations to look out for.

Luckily, these are the things we discuss in the upcoming sections below. First, we provide an overview of the general costs of attending a trade school in North Carolina. Then, we break down these costs and highlight financial aid programs to help students relieve their education fees.

Lastly, we provide a detailed list of top trade schools in North Carolina and what they offer.

Average Cost of Trade Schools in North Carolina

Before we discuss the potential cost of attending a trade school in North Carolina, it is important to highlight some of the factors that can influence these costs in the first place. They include the following.

• Location - Although not always, schools tend to charge tuition based on location. Those near urban areas are typically more expensive than those in remote locations.

• Specialty - Schools offering specialty programs typically require advanced and scarce equipment, which costs more. For this reason, these programs can also be more expensive.

• Duration - The longer it takes to complete a program, the higher the cost.

• Accreditation - Accredited schools, particularly on a programmatic level for special programs, are typically more expensive.

• Variety - Often, the more programs a trade school offers, the higher the cost of attending such schools.

Total Cost Estimation

Despite the disparity between schools, estimating how much it will cost to attend a trade school in North Carolina is possible. This is thanks to data made available by several institutions, such as the National Center for Education Statistics and specific trade schools in North Carolina.

Typically, the total cost falls between $3,000 and $10,000 per year for public trade schools and between $15,000 and $30,000 for private trade schools. Included in this calculation are the costs of books and materials (($500 - $1,000) and accommodation costs ($300 - $1,000 per month).

Other notable costs include student fees, program-specific equipment, utilities, and more.

Financial Aid for Trade Schools in North Carolina

Aspiring trade school students in North Carolina will be glad to know that several financial aid programs can help alleviate the costs above. A few of these programs are merit-based, while some are entirely need-based.

The following are some of the most notable options in this regard.

• The Wells Fargo Technical Scholarship Program - is available to students of North Carolina who are in the second year of a 2-year technical program. It is a financial needs program and awards up to $500 per candidate.

• North Carolina Community College Foundations Scholarship for Health Careers - offers up to $1,000 for students in a North Carolina community college enrolled in an allied health program.

• Golden LEAF Scholarship Program - offers up to $750 per semester for students in community colleges in North Carolina. Candidates must demonstrate that they are in financial need.

• George W. Ballard Memorial Scholarship - offers up to 90% tuition coverage for North Carolina community college students. They must be state residents and pursue a program in air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration.

• PHCC Foundation Scholarships - also applicable to residents of North Carolina pursuing a program in air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration, including those enrolled in the trade school.

Licensing and Accreditation for Trade Schools in North Carolina

Accreditation is an important topic for trade school students anywhere. Without accreditation, securing financial aid — especially on the federal and state levels — becomes harder and leaves room for doubt concerning a school’s educational standards.

Trade school students in North Carolina are expected to confirm that their schools are accredited on a regional or national level. Although regional accreditation is often considered the better, both are valid across several scenarios.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is responsible for accrediting trade schools in North Carolina on a regional level. At the same time, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges is responsible for national accreditation.

The Distance Education Accrediting Commission awards accreditation for online schools, while specific programs may also be required to obtain accreditation.

Top Vocational Trade Schools in North Carolina

The following are some of the top destinations to receive training in an array of trade programs in North Carolina.

Notable Mentions

Other notable mentions include Isothermal Community College in Spindale, Vance-Granville Community College in Henderson, Stanly Community College in Albemarle, Craven Community College in New Bern, Southeastern Community College in Whiteville, Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, Halifax Community College in Weldon, Cleveland Community College in Shelby, and Pitt Community College in Winterville.