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Surgical tech programs in North Carolina

21 surgical tech programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

19 schools offer these surgical technology programs, and North Carolina has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms, arrange the equipment and help doctors during surgery. Most have a certificate or an associate degree from an accredited program, and some employers require certification.1

In North Carolina, 19 of the 21 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent and 2 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 21 programs here are surgical technology (associate degree, 12 programs), surgical technology certificate or diploma (5 programs) and surgical tech program (level not stated, 4 programs).

See the 21 programs

How much do surgical tech programs cost in North Carolina?

Two-year degrees (12 programs)
$5,135 to $5,837most of them, usually 72 to 77 weeks long
Other surgical technology programs (5 programs)
$286 to $4,000most of them, usually 18 to 24 weeks long

What you pay yourself for the whole program, as the schools report it. "Most" is the middle half of the programs with a price.

In the typical program

Finished the program
46%
Working 6 months later
81%
Earned a year, estimated
about $40,600
Length
30 to 76 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in North Carolina may also offer surgical tech programs. How these figures are made

Are there free surgical tech programs in North Carolina?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 21 surgical tech programs in North Carolina approved for WIOA funding

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21 programs

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    ST-3000 Surgical Technologist

    MedCerts

    Based in Livonia, MI

    High school diploma or equivalent

    MedCerts, based in Livonia, MISurgical technology certificate or diplomaOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$29,600
    Price if you pay yourself$4,000
    Program website, ST-3000 Surgical Technologist at MedCerts
    More details about ST-3000 Surgical Technologist at MedCerts
    Finished
    84%
    Working at 6 months
    4%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,400
    Length
    18 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    1,014
    Earned a year, estimated
    $29,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,000
    Program website, ST-3000 Surgical Technologist at MedCerts

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Guilford Technical Community College

    High Point

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Guilford Technical Community College, High PointSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$46,600
    Price if you pay yourself$5,016
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Guilford Technical Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Guilford Technical Community College
    Finished
    48%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,644
    Length
    80 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,150
    Students counted
    82
    Earned a year, estimated
    $46,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,016
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Guilford Technical Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology - A45740

    Catawba Valley Community College

    Hickory

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Catawba Valley Community College, HickorySurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$40,600
    Price if you pay yourself$5,908
    Program website, Surgical Technology - A45740 at Catawba Valley Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology - A45740 at Catawba Valley Community College
    Finished
    42%
    Working at 6 months
    92%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,153
    Length
    74 weeks, 21 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,079
    Students counted
    61
    Earned a year, estimated
    $40,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,908
    Program website, Surgical Technology - A45740 at Catawba Valley Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology, AAS (A45740)

    Cleveland Community College

    Shelby

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Cleveland Community College, ShelbySurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$43,300
    Price if you pay yourself$6,072

    5 students trained with WIOA funding

    School website, Surgical Technology, AAS (A45740) at Cleveland Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology, AAS (A45740) at Cleveland Community College
    Finished
    46%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,819
    Length
    74 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,284
    Students counted
    57
    Earned a year, estimated
    $43,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,072
    students trained with WIOA funding
    5
    School website, Surgical Technology, AAS (A45740) at Cleveland Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology (A.A.S.)

    Davidson-Davie Community College

    Thomasville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Davidson-Davie Community College, ThomasvilleSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$35,500
    Price if you pay yourself$5,402
    Program website, Surgical Technology (A.A.S.) at Davidson-Davie Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology (A.A.S.) at Davidson-Davie Community College
    Finished
    23%
    Working at 6 months
    75%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,869
    Length
    72 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,450
    Students counted
    55
    Earned a year, estimated
    $35,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,402
    Program website, Surgical Technology (A.A.S.) at Davidson-Davie Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Cape Fear Community College

    Wilmington

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Cape Fear Community College, WilmingtonSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$43,500
    Price if you pay yourself$5,966
    School website, Surgical Technology at Cape Fear Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Cape Fear Community College
    Finished
    35%
    Working at 6 months
    93%
    Earned in a quarter
    $10,870
    Length
    74 weeks, 35 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,955
    Students counted
    47
    Earned a year, estimated
    $43,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,966
    School website, Surgical Technology at Cape Fear Community College

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Certified Surgical Technologist

    Greensboro College

    Based in Greensboro, NC

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Greensboro College, based in Greensboro, NCSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,000
    Program website, Certified Surgical Technologist at Greensboro College
    More details about Certified Surgical Technologist at Greensboro College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    18 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    44
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,000
    Program website, Certified Surgical Technologist at Greensboro College

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    ST-9000 Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician

    MedCerts

    Based in Livonia, MI

    High school diploma or equivalent

    MedCerts, based in Livonia, MISurgical technology certificate or diplomaOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,000
    Program website, ST-9000 Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician at MedCerts
    More details about ST-9000 Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician at MedCerts
    Finished
    85%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    24 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    41
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,000
    Program website, ST-9000 Surgical/Sterile Processing Technician at MedCerts

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Edgecombe Community College

    Tarboro

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Edgecombe Community College, TarboroSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$49,600
    Price if you pay yourself$3,900
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Edgecombe Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Edgecombe Community College
    Finished
    25%
    Working at 6 months
    93%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,407
    Length
    78 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,100
    Students counted
    28
    Earned a year, estimated
    $49,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,900
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Edgecombe Community College

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Wilson Community College

    Wilson

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Wilson Community College, WilsonSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$28,200
    Price if you pay yourself$4,871
    School website, Surgical Technology at Wilson Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Wilson Community College
    Finished
    25%
    Working at 6 months
    82%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,038
    Length
    80 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,150
    Students counted
    25
    Earned a year, estimated
    $28,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,871
    School website, Surgical Technology at Wilson Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology AA/AS Degree

    Coastal Carolina Community College

    Jacksonville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Coastal Carolina Community College, JacksonvilleSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$34,600
    Price if you pay yourself$5,400

    11 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Surgical Technology AA/AS Degree at Coastal Carolina Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology AA/AS Degree at Coastal Carolina Community College
    Finished
    75%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,654
    Length
    76 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,800
    Students counted
    22
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,400
    students trained with WIOA funding
    11
    Program website, Surgical Technology AA/AS Degree at Coastal Carolina Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    College of the Albemarle

    Elizabeth City

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    College of the Albemarle, Elizabeth CitySurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$48,700
    Price if you pay yourself$4,884

    9 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Surgical Technology at College of the Albemarle
    More details about Surgical Technology at College of the Albemarle
    Finished
    46%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,165
    Length
    58 weeks, 38 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,026
    Students counted
    14
    Earned a year, estimated
    $48,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,884
    students trained with WIOA funding
    9
    Program website, Surgical Technology at College of the Albemarle

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology, AAS

    Lenoir Community College

    Kinston

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Lenoir Community College, KinstonSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$30,000
    Price if you pay yourself$5,218
    Program website, Surgical Technology, AAS at Lenoir Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology, AAS at Lenoir Community College
    Finished
    90%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,494
    Length
    80 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,754
    Students counted
    11
    Earned a year, estimated
    $30,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,218
    Program website, Surgical Technology, AAS at Lenoir Community College

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technologist II

    Sampson Community College

    Clinton

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Sampson Community College, ClintonSurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$193
    Program website, Surgical Technologist II at Sampson Community College
    More details about Surgical Technologist II at Sampson Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    18 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $193
    Program website, Surgical Technologist II at Sampson Community College

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technologist I

    Sampson Community College

    Clinton

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Sampson Community College, ClintonSurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$286
    Program website, Surgical Technologist I at Sampson Community College
    More details about Surgical Technologist I at Sampson Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    18 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $478
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $286
    Program website, Surgical Technologist I at Sampson Community College

  • Surgical technology certificate or diplomaIn personPrerequisite courses

    Surgical Technology

    Richmond Community College

    Hamlet

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Richmond Community College, HamletSurgical technology certificate or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$767
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Richmond Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Richmond Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $767
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Richmond Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology AAS Degree

    Blue Ridge Community College

    Flat Rock

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Blue Ridge Community College, Flat RockSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,297
    School website, Surgical Technology AAS Degree at Blue Ridge Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology AAS Degree at Blue Ridge Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Left out
    Cost of supplies
    $4,794
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,297
    School website, Surgical Technology AAS Degree at Blue Ridge Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personPrerequisite courses

    Surgical Technology - AAS

    Fayetteville Technical Community College

    Fayetteville

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Fayetteville Technical Community College, FayettevilleSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,515
    Program website, Surgical Technology - AAS at Fayetteville Technical Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology - AAS at Fayetteville Technical Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $948
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,515
    Program website, Surgical Technology - AAS at Fayetteville Technical Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology AAS

    Rockingham Community College

    Wentworth

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Rockingham Community College, WentworthSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,632
    Program website, Surgical Technology AAS at Rockingham Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology AAS at Rockingham Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 24 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $970
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,632
    Program website, Surgical Technology AAS at Rockingham Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technician

    Durham Technical Community College

    Durham

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Durham Technical Community College, DurhamSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,813
    School website, Surgical Technician at Durham Technical Community College
    More details about Surgical Technician at Durham Technical Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    60 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,813
    School website, Surgical Technician at Durham Technical Community College

  • Surgical tech program (level not stated)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Southwestern Community College

    Sylva

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Southwestern Community College, SylvaSurgical tech program (level not stated) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,054
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Southwestern Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Southwestern Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    72 weeks, 19 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,048
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,054
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Southwestern Community College

How to pay for surgical tech programs in North Carolina

WIOA funding can pay for surgical tech programs in North Carolina

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for surgical tech programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for surgical tech programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Surgical tech programs in North Carolina

programs with a price cost under $3,000
4 of 21
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
3rd of 23
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
11 of 17
most surgical tech programs of any state, after Ohio and Florida
3rd

State comparisons use the same figures as the surgical tech programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Surgical tech programs in Greensboro, Hickory, Shelby and other North Carolina cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 7 more programs are in 7 other areas, 5 in smaller cities and towns and 3 online.

Other training in North Carolina

How surgical tech programs compare with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in North Carolina

Where the North Carolina surgical technology program numbers come from

Which North Carolina surgical technology programs are on this list?

These are the surgical technology programs North Carolina approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what North Carolina offers.

How the prices and results of North Carolina surgical technology programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about surgical tech programs in North Carolina

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Surgical Technologists
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List