2023 Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which healthcare program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Healthcare Degree Search has created its Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. This report analyzed 66 schools in North Carolina to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Wake Technical Community College to be the most popular school for healthcare students who want to pursue a associate degree in North Carolina. Wake Technical Community College is a large public school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 429 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,768 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Wake Technical Community College. 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 $22,857 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.
Wake Technical Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 94% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Pitt Community College is a great place for healthcare students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Winterville, North Carolina, and it awarded 369 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Pitt Community College is $1,940. 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 $24,602 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Pitt Community College. In 2019-2020 about 91% 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 Fayetteville Technical Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Fayetteville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 300 students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at FTCC is $2,544. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,688. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,442 in student loans. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at FTCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Out of the 66 schools in North Carolina that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Piedmont Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Central Piedmont Community College is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 280 associate degrees to qualified students.
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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,936. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,022 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
Central Piedmont 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 100% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Forsyth Technical Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Forsyth Tech is a medium-sized public school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 268 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from North Carolina who attend Forsyth Tech full time pay an average of $2,152 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,168. On average, associate degree students take out $17,896 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Forsyth Tech does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 87% took at least some of their classes online.
Guilford Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Jamestown, North Carolina, the medium-sized public school awarded 236 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,289 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Guilford Technical Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,665. On average, associate degree students take out $23,911 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you 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.
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree healthcare programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Asheville, North Carolina, and it awarded 208 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,632 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend A-B Tech. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,776. On average, associate degree students take out $19,341 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at A-B Tech. In fact, around 62% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Davidson County Community College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Davidson County Community College is a small public school located in Thomasville, North Carolina that handed out 188 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from North Carolina who attend DCCC full time pay an average of $2,226 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,658. On average, associate degree students take out $20,103 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at DCCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #9, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Salisbury, North Carolina, and it awarded 177 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,626 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,770. On average, associate degree students take out $12,398 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
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. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Cape Fear Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. This fairly large public school is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and it awarded 169 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,748 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CFCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,892. Associate Degree recipients from CFCC accumulate an average of $18,238 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
Online courses are available at CFCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #11, Johnston Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Johnston Community College is a small public school located in Smithfield, North Carolina that handed out 156 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
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. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,306 in student loans. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
Johnston 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 2019-2020 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Gaston College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Dallas, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 147 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Students from North Carolina who attend Gaston College full time pay an average of $2,862 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,006. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,582 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.
One thing to take note of is that Gaston College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 87% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Hudson, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 142 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $2,537 in tuition and fees if they attend CCCTI full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,681. Associate Degree recipients from CCCTI accumulate an average of $10,798 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CCCTI. In 2019-2020 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
With a ranking of #14, Catawba Valley Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Located in Hickory, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 129 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,367 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CVCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,743. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,680 in student loans. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CVCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Southwestern Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree healthcare programs. Located in Sylva, North Carolina, the small public school handed out 117 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Students from North Carolina who attend Southwestern Community College full time pay an average of $2,601 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,913. Associate Degree recipients from Southwestern Community College accumulate an average of $13,373 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
Online courses are available at Southwestern 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 64% took at least some of their classes online.
Vance-Granville Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree healthcare programs. Vance-Granville Community College is a small public school situated in Henderson, North Carolina. It awarded 116 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from North Carolina who attend Vance-Granville Community College full time pay an average of $1,944 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,552. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,813 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
Online courses are available at Vance-Granville 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 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Sandhills Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree healthcare programs. Sandhills Community College is a small public school located in Pinehurst, North Carolina that handed out 115 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,764 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,908. On average, associate degree students take out $12,877 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.
SCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 89% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Lenoir Community College ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. This small public school is located in Kinston, North Carolina, and it awarded 114 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $2,568 in tuition and fees if they attend Lenoir Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,712. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,861 in student loans. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Lenoir 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.
Carolinas College of Health Sciences ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Carolinas College of Health Sciences is a very small public school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 111 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Carolinas College of Health Sciences, expect to pay an average of $15,214 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $23,054 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Carolinas College of Health Sciences does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 56% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Wayne Community College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina ranking. Located in Goldsboro, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 110 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Wayne Community College is $2,524. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,668. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,182 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Wayne Community College. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Durham Technical Community College is a public institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a small population, and it awarded 109 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $2,228 in tuition and fees if they attend Durham Technical Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,479. Associate Degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College accumulate an average of $23,974 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.
Durham Technical 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.
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Cabarrus College of Health Sciences is located in Concord, North Carolina and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 101 associate degrees to qualified students.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $14,370 to cover tuition and fees at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from Cabarrus College of Health Sciences accumulate an average of $24,343 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences 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 2019-2020 year, about 68% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #23, Edgecombe Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Edgecombe Community College is located in Tarboro, North Carolina and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 95 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from North Carolina who attend Edgecombe Community College full time pay an average of $2,640 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,784. On average, associate degree students take out $22,734 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Edgecombe Community College. In 2019-2020 about 90% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Craven Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in North Carolina list. Located in New Bern, North Carolina, the small public school awarded 89 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,022 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Craven Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,630. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,946 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Craven Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 83% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #25, Stanly Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree. Albemarle, North Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 88 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from North Carolina pay an average of $2,794 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Stanly Technical College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,245. Associate Degree recipients from Stanly Technical College accumulate an average of $11,203 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 94% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Stanly Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Most Popular Healthcare 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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