2026 Best Pre-Engineering Schools in North Carolina

1

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Leading the list is Central Piedmont Community College, our #1 school for pre-engineering. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Central Piedmont Community College awarded about 55 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Central Piedmont Community College earn around $40,629 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete this degree. Get the full pre-engineering details for Central Piedmont Community College

2

Gaston College
Dallas, NC

Gaston College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in pre-engineering, ranking #2. Gaston College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Dallas. About 11 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Gaston College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, pre-engineering degree recipients from Gaston College generally make around $39,937. Typical student debt for the program is $10,915. More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Gaston College

3

Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC

Wake Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best pre-engineering schools. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. About 118 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Wake Technical Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Wake Technical Community College earn around $38,673 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,182. See the full pre-engineering program report for Wake Technical Community College

4

Johnston Community College
Smithfield, NC

Johnston Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best pre-engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Smithfield. There were roughly 27 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Johnston Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the pre-engineering program make about $37,472 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,490. See the full pre-engineering program report for Johnston Community College

5

Guilford Technical Community College
Jamestown, NC

Guilford Technical Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in pre-engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Jamestown, Guilford Technical Community College is a large public institution. Guilford Technical Community College awarded about 28 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Guilford Technical Community College earn around $36,124 in the first couple years of their career. Guilford Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $20,501 in student loans. More information about a degree in pre-engineering from Guilford Technical Community College

6

Forsyth Technical Community College
Winston-Salem, NC

Forsyth Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best pre-engineering schools. This large public university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Forsyth Technical Community College awarded about 10 pre-engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Forsyth Technical Community College earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,374 to complete this degree. See the full pre-engineering program report for Forsyth Technical Community College

7

Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, NC

Cape Fear Community College landed the #7 spot for pre-engineering this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 10 pre-engineering students who graduated with this degree at Cape Fear Community College in the most recent data year. Pre-Engineering graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Cape Fear Community College graduates carry a median of $12,388 in student loans. Read more about the pre-engineering program at Cape Fear Community College

8

Central Carolina Community College
Sanford, NC

Central Carolina Community College earned the #8 position for pre-engineering this year. Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sanford. About 13 pre-engineering degrees were awarded at Central Carolina Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their pre-engineering degree from Central Carolina Community College earn around $38,198 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,266. Read more about the pre-engineering program at Central Carolina Community College