Top vocational, career, and community colleges for nursing in North Carolina

Community colleges focus on vocational and career development. Their students benefit from focused teaching and are prepared with skills relevant for the workplace. Community college programs are typically shorter in duration than those offered by traditional four-year institutions. Therefore, they are an attractive choice for students who wish to begin work quickly.

Qualification options
To gain licensure as a registered nurse (RN), students can complete a two- to three-year associate’s degree program at a local community college. Aspiring RNs must also successfully pass the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination. North Carolina’s RNs earn a competitive median annual salary of $58,490.

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To gain licensure as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), students must complete a certificate program that requires 12-18 months of fulltime study. Aspiring LPNs must also successfully pass the NCLEX-PN national licensure examination. North Carolina’s LPNs earn roughly $41,000-42,000 per year on average.

Benefits of a two-year institution
In addition to offering a rapid path to graduation, North Carolina’s community colleges typically charge lower tuition than traditional four-year institutions. They are also highly accessible to most applicants. North Carolina has well over 60 two-year schools with nursing programs throughout the state, including an extensive network of community and technical colleges in all major population centers.

Community colleges are an attractive option for many potential nurses. We have compiled below a detailed list of North Carolina’s community colleges with nursing programs, organized by metropolitan area.