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As one of the original colonies and an important state in the old South, North Carolina has always had a rich educational tradition. Between the big universities Duke and North Carolina, one will find not only leaders in education but giants in the world of college basketball. Coaches Mike Krzyzewski (‘K’) and Dean Smith always emphasized the importance of studies as well as discipline on the court, making these programs some of the most respected on the national stage.

Higher education goes far beyond the state’s top universities in North Carolina, as is evidenced by the two-year and junior college system. From Winston Salem to Greensboro, community colleges serve as the bridge for many students hoping to get a foot in the door and later move on to the state’s more prestigious universities. Community colleges also serve those students looking for technical programs with less time commitments, yet ones which lead directly to jobs in the professional world. Here are the best two-year colleges in the state.

Situated in Pittsboro (between Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Durham), Central Carolina Community College gives students the opportunity to get used to the epicenter of higher education in the state. Facilities in Lee, Chatham and Harnett County have more than 45 degree programs (either AA or AS) and over 100 total courses of study with certificates and diplomas included.

Students looking for a foundation in automotive or machine technology – with the possibility of entering directly into the workforce – can take up Automotive Restoration, Motorcycle Mechanics and/or Machining Technology with Tool and Die Making. Options in healthcare careers include Practical Nursing, Medical Assisting and Dental Hygiene. Nontraditional career paths include Cosmetology, Esthetics, Sculpture and Barbering. Of course, anyone hoping to get a four-year degree can get an associate’s diploma and move on to a baccalaureate institution. Accounting, Business Administration, Library Information Technology and Criminal Justice are all offered at CCCC.

In the eastern part of the state, Wilson Community College is one of the key institutions for students who either want a two-year degree or diploma/certificate with less of a time commitment. Associate of Arts degree programs will require students to get a strong foundation in the humanities before fulfilling major requirements through electives, while Associate of Science degrees (with less of a focus on liberal arts) have similar trajectories and share the same 65 semester hour time commitment. Transfer Core Diplomas from Wilson Community College will be delivered to students in lieu of an associate degree, but with the foundation to finish a four-year degree at another state institution.

Programs at Wilson CC which continue to draw a great deal of interest are the Business and Special Programs curricula and the Allied Health courses. Associate degrees in Nursing, Biotechnology, Surgical Technology and Biopharmaceutical Tech are all open to Wilson students looking to enter the healthcare professions. Highlights of the business program include Accounting, BA, Information Systems Security and Simulation and Game Development.

Durham Technical Community College (known as Durham Tech or DTCC) continues to see enrollment going up at this excellent location in North Carolina. Like the top schools state-wide, Durham Tech has a variety of Information System and Health Technology programs for local students to choose from. Besides the standard associate degree in arts or sciences, Durham Tech also offers the Associate in General Education (an equal 64 semester hours), which students can take to a four-year university to get a full bachelor’s degree. Diploma programs (36 semester hours) and Certificates (18 semester hours) are also offered to students out of high school or trying to increase standing in the workplace.

The Allied Health Programs at Durham Tech draw a tremendous amount of interest from local students, and information sessions are regularly being held in the Student Services Center to explain the requirements, wait list procedures and career possibilities for anyone pursuing this area of study. Curricula in Practical Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Technology and Opticianry all have additional accreditation from state and/or national accrediting bodies.

Surry Community College in Dobson, NC is a great choice for students in the northwestern part of the state by the Blue Ridge Mountains. It dates back to the early 1960’s and serves more than 18,000 area students every year. Above all, what continues to impress students and observers about Surry Community College is the breadth of its course offerings. Students looking to get working as HVAC technicians and truck drivers will rub elbows with others training in phlebotomy, computer programming and viticulture (area vineyards are gaining in popularity).

Traditional programs in Business Administration and Electronic Engineering are also offered, along with Associate in General Education, Advertising and even Fine Arts. Surry is a great option in the area for students hoping to move on to a bachelor or master’s degree in a university.