2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina
With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best 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.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. This report analyzed 50 schools in North Carolina to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Central Piedmont Community College the best school in North Carolina for nursing students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it awarded 2,459 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,792 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Central Piedmont Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,936. On average, associate degree students take out $6,146 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Central Piedmont Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of the Albemarle. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. College of the Albemarle is a small public school located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina that handed out 349 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,260 in tuition and fees if they attend College of the Albemarle full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,346.
College of the Albemarle does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Out of the 50 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Brunswick Community College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Brunswick Community College is a public institution located in Bolivia, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 282 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,532 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Brunswick Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,676.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Brunswick Community College. In fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Surry Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Surry Community College is a small public school located in Dobson, North Carolina that handed out 451 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Surry Community College is $2,663. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,807.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Surry Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Forsyth Technical Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,113 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,152 in tuition and fees if they attend Forsyth Tech full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,168. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,817 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Forsyth Tech. In 2020-2021 about 73% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Craven Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Craven Community College is a small public school situated in New Bern, North Carolina. It awarded 660 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,022 in tuition and fees if they attend Craven Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,630.
Craven Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Richmond Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Richmond Community College is located in Hamlet, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 391 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Richmond Community College is $2,536. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,680.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Richmond Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Johnston Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Johnston Community College is located in Smithfield, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 671 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Johnston Community College is $2,657. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,801.
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 2020-2021 academic year, around 81% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #9, South Piedmont Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. South Piedmont Community College is a public institution located in Polkton, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 300 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,015 in tuition and fees if they attend South Piedmont Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,623.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at South Piedmont Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Salisbury, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 810 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,024 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,632. On average, associate degree students take out $10,696 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Alamance Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Alamance Community College is a small public school located in Graham, North Carolina that handed out 573 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,498 in tuition and fees if they attend ACC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,642.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since ACC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 94% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #12, Sampson Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Clinton, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 354 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $3,163 in tuition and fees if they attend Sampson Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,035.
Online courses are available at Sampson Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Gardner - Webb University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Gardner - Webb University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Boiling Springs, North Carolina that handed out 19 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $32,200 to cover tuition and fees at Gardner - Webb. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Gardner - Webb 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 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #14, Wake Technical Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,898 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Wake Technical Community College is $2,768. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,912. Associate Degree recipients from Wake Technical Community College accumulate an average of $19,897 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Wake Technical Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Pitt Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Winterville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,062 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,940 in tuition and fees if they attend Pitt Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,548. Associate Degree recipients from Pitt Community College accumulate an average of $19,749 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Pitt Community College. In 2020-2021 about 77% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Gaston College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Dallas, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 751 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $3,186 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Gaston College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,330.
One thing to take note of is that Gaston College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 93% took at least some of their classes online.
Wilson Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. WCC is located in Wilson, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 240 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,920 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,832. On average, associate degree students take out $14,397 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at WCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cape Fear Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list. CFCC is located in Wilmington, North Carolina and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,335 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $2,748 in tuition and fees if they attend CFCC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,892. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,166 in student loans.
CFCC 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 78% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Sandhills Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Pinehurst, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 684 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend SCC full time pay an average of $2,764 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,908.
Online courses are available at SCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. A-B Tech is a public institution located in Asheville, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 600 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend A-B Tech full time pay an average of $2,832 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,976. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,056 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at A-B Tech. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Read full report on Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
With a ranking of #21, Davidson County Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Thomasville, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 522 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend DCCC full time pay an average of $2,208 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,852. On average, associate degree students take out $15,605 in loans while pursuing their degree.
DCCC 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Guilford Technical Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Guilford Technical Community College is a fairly large public school located in Jamestown, North Carolina that handed out 1,431 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,319 in tuition and fees if they attend Guilford Technical Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,695. On average, associate degree students take out $19,790 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Guilford Technical Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 61% took at least some of their classes online.
Southeastern Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Whiteville, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 198 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from North Carolina who attend Southeastern Community College full time pay an average of $2,600 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,744.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Southeastern Community College. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cleveland Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Cleveland Community College is a small public school located in Shelby, North Carolina that handed out 467 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $2,602 in tuition and fees if they attend Cleveland Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,746.
Cleveland Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 68% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lenoir Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Lenoir Community College is located in Kinston, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 392 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Lenoir Community College is $2,568. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,712.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Lenoir Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Best Nursing 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
- 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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