2025 Top Online Community Colleges in North Carolina

You've got plenty of options for ways to get the higher education and skills you need for a career - bootcamps, apprenticeships, and college education are just a few of the most common. But even within those options are other paths you can take.

For example, you can save more money and increase the flexibility in your higher education by attending online community colleges in North Carolina before or instead of four-year universities.

Below, you can learn about some of the top online community colleges, how to reduce or eliminate your tuition costs, and what careers you can pursue with an associate's degree.

Featured Community Colleges Online in North Carolina

No matter what career you want to gain the technical skills for or what education you want to complete before moving on to university for a bachelor's degree, you can find what you need from one of the online community colleges in North Carolina below.

1. Wake Technical Community College

Wake Technical Community College (Wake Tech) is a public community college in Raleigh, North Carolina, that has multiple campuses throughout Wake County.

It offers more than 100 different fully online programs for students, including accounting, graphic design, business administration, marketing, computer programming and information sciences, and early childhood education programs.

There are also many smaller certificate programs available, as well as general classes that can be taken online as part of hybrid degree programs.

2. Wilson Community College

Wilson Community College (WCC) is a public community college in Wilson, North Carolina, that's part of the North Carolina Community College System.

WCC has a variety of programs and certificates that can be completed online, from transferable associate's degrees in math and science to certificates in information technology and office administration.

Some online courses may require proctored exams to be completed in person, so make sure to check the online proctoring page for details before signing up for classes.

3. Blue Ridge Community College

Blue Ridge Community College (Blue Ridge) is a public community college that has three campuses in North Carolina and is part of the North Carolina Community College System.

Busy working professionals can take advantage of the flexible online format of these programs and certificates offered by Blue Ridge:

• Cybersecurity
• Criminal Justice Technology
• General Nursing
• Public Administration
• Bookkeeping
• Information Technology
• Marketing

4. Central Piedmont Community College

Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) is the second-largest public community college in the North Carolina Community College System and the largest in the Charlotte metropolitan area.

CPCC prioritizes conveniences and flexibility for students by offering year-round online, hybrid, and in-person courses in addition to fully online degree programs.

These programs include associate's degrees in business administration, information technology, public safety administration, and simulation and game development.

5. Coastal Carolina Community College

Coastal Carolina Community College (CCCC) is a public community college in Jacksonville, North Carolina, as well as a satellite school of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

CCCC has multiple online programs in accounting, early childhood education, paralegal technology, medical office administration, information technology, business administration, fire protection technology, hospitality management, and office administration - they range from certificates to diplomas to full associate's degree programs.

6. Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College (VGCC) is a public community college in Henderson, North Carolina, that serves Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren counties.

The degrees offered at VGCC are all about preparing you for a career and additional degrees at four-year universities.

Whether students want to take some classes online and some in the classroom or complete their entire program online at their convenience, VGCC provides the classes and programs that meet their needs.

7. Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville Technical Community College (Fayetteville Tech) is a public community college in Fayetteville, North Carolina, that's accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Fayetteville Tech students can earn associate's in science, arts, or general education before moving on to a full university degree or complete programs related to business administration, IT, medical office administration, and office administration that have specializations and tracks and that can help them achieve their career.

8. Pitt Community College

Pitt Community College (Pitt CC) is a public community college in Winterville, North Carolina, a town located in Pitt County.

Pitt CC offers students the ability to attend online community college on their own terms by offering online degrees, certificates, and diplomas in fields like business administration, healthcare, information technology, and accounting.

This college also offers online resources like tutoring services and the Pitt CC Library.

9. Wayne Community College

Wayne Community College (Wayne CC) is a public community college in Goldsboro, North Carolina, that offers more than 70 credit programs on campus and even more online.

Wayne CC offers one associate's degree in arts and multiple associate's degrees in applied science - including popular courses related to cybersecurity, software development, IT support and services, business administration, and accounting and finance.

10. Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCCTI) is a public community college in Hudson, North Carolina that serves residents of Caldwell and Watauga counties.

CCCTI prioritizes transfer credit by offering associate's in arts and sciences degrees in teacher preparation and general arts and science.

Students who want a full associate's degree can pursue one in human services technology, business administration, early childhood education, and more.

Is Community College Free in North Carolina?

Community college is not free in North Carolina by default, but there are ways that you can still attend classes with no tuition fees.

The College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) contains eligibility and application information for the NC Community College Grant - a grant that provides residents of the state enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester with up to $2,200 if they meet the requirements for the Federal Pell Grant.

This covers up to 12 credit hours of tuition for many community colleges in the state.

How Much Does Community College Cost in North Carolina?

The Education Data Initiative reports that the lowest cost of tuition at North Carolina community colleges is $3,000, and the highest is $10,000. This means that the average cost per year to attend community college in North Carolina is $6,500.

North Carolina Community College Degree Types

The types of degrees you can earn at North Carolina community colleges include associate's in arts, science, or applied science, associate's in business administration with various concentrations, and transfer degrees in arts, science, or general education.

Career Opportunities for North Carolina Community College Graduates

After earning specific degrees from online community colleges in North Carolina, you could begin working in one of these careers right away:

• Paralegal: Anyone with an associate's degree in paralegal studies can make a great career in private practice as the ultimate lawyer support.
• Radiologic Technologist: By earning an associate's degree in medical technology, getting certified, and obtaining state licensure, you can work as a medical imaging operator.
• Physical Therapist Assistant: With an associate's degree in the field and the proper certification or licensure for your state, you can help patients regain mobility and independence after injury as an assistant to a physical therapist.
• Dental Hygienist: Help support the health and education of patients by teaching them how to clean and maintain their teeth through dental offices by completing an associate's degree in dental hygiene.

Find an Online Community College Today

Now that you know all about the best online community colleges in North Carolina, as well as how you can make the most of an associate's degree in multiple fields, it's time for you to choose the community college that's right for you today so you can become a leader in your field of choice tomorrow.