THIS IS HEALTHCARE
Your future in healthcare starts here.
Hands-on training, real-world confidence, and rewarding careers — from day one on the coast.
This is CARTERET.
Affordable, flexible, career-ready programs in Morehead City
for first-time students, adult learners, transfer students, and military families.
Start Your Journey
This is Carteret
Find your “This is.”
From the operating room to the boat shop, from the kitchen to the classroom — Carteret CC has programs built around the careers that matter here on the coast and beyond.
THIS IS INNOVATION
Train for careers in IT, engineering & business.
In-demand skills. Real credentials. Programs with strong transfer and career pathways.
THIS IS SERVICE
Protect and serve your community.
Enrollment for law enforcement and public safety training is open now. Answer the call.
THIS IS INDUSTRY
Build boats. Fix trucks. Wire homes.
Eastern NC runs on skilled trades. Train for the jobs that keep the coast moving.
THIS IS CREATIVITY
Turn your passion into a career.
Photography, culinary arts, cosmetology, esthetics — real skills for creative careers.
THIS IS IMPACT
Graduate here. Go anywhere.
Earn credits that transfer to UNC, NC State, ECU, and more. Dual enrollment available for high school students.
Not sure which program is right for you?
Take our 2-minute program quiz and we’ll match you to the right fit.
Why Carteret
The right place to begin
your next chapter.
At Carteret, you’ll find more than a degree or certification — you’ll find a supportive community, hands on learning, and career focused programs designed to help you succeed from day one. Whether you’re preparing for a high demand career, planning to transfer to a university, or exploring a new passion, Carteret CC gives you the skills, confidence, and opportunities to build the future you want.
Affordable from the start
Carteret offers one of the most accessible paths to college in North Carolina, with low tuition and financial aid options that can make getting started more manageable than many students expect.
Programs that lead somewhere
From healthcare and skilled trades to university transfer, business, and public safety, Carteret helps students move toward careers and next steps that matter.
Built for real life
With day, evening, hybrid, and online options, Carteret makes it easier to move forward whether you are coming straight from high school, working full-time, raising a family, or changing careers.
Affordable Access
College may cost
less than you think
Carteret Community College is designed to make education more accessible. With low in-state tuition, financial aid opportunities, and support for military-connected students, many students are able to reduce their out-of-pocket costs significantly.
$76
Per credit hour
for in-state students
~$1,140
Estimated tuition
for 12 credit hours
Aid Available
Includes Pell Grant
eligibility
GI Bill
Military-connected education
benefits supported
Get Started
How to
Begin
Getting started at Carteret is straightforward. Here is what the process looks like:
Step 1:
Determine State Residency
North Carolina residents may qualify for lower in state tuition. Complete the Residency Determination Service (RDS) to verify your residency status.
Step 2:
Complete your application & Submit official transcripts
Complete your application through CFNC, then send your official high school, GED, and/or college transcripts to [email protected].
Step 3:
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to explore grants, scholarships, loans, and other financial aid opportunities. Use school code 008081.
Step 4:
Plan Your Classes
After admission, meet with an academic advisor to choose and register for your classes.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Find a program
that fits you
Answer a few quick questions and explore program options based on your interests and goals.
Student Stories
Learn What’s Possible
Real students. Real outcomes. Right here on the Crystal Coast.
Carteret gave me the opportunity to start my journey in dental healthcare close to home while building a pathway to transfer to universities like UNC Chapel Hill or ECU to continue my education.
Samantha R.
Dental Student
CCP helped me realize that my future isn’t something I have to wait for. I can start building it now.
Emily S.
Career & College Promise
I came back to school as a mom of three, unsure of myself, but Carteret gave me the support and confidence to keep moving forward.
Kristin H.
Nursing Graduate
Start Your Journey
Questions Before You Apply?
Here are a few things
students often ask
Is the application free?
Summer & Fall 2026 enrollment is open. Applying early gives you the best chance to move through the process smoothly and get the classes you want.
When do fall classes begin?
Many students need flexibility, and Carteret offers options designed to fit different schedules.
How do I apply for financial aid?
You can complete the FAFSA and work with the financial aid team to understand what aid you may qualify for.
Can veterans or military families use education benefits?
Eligible students may be able to use military-connected education benefits. Carteret can help guide you through that process.