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Key Takeaways
Best cloud computing degree programs: U of North Carolina at Ch..., North Carolina A & T State, U of North Carolina at Ch...
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $1,000 to $37,750/year
Wake Technical Community ... offers the most affordable option at $2,076/yr
Cloud Computing degree programs available: 56 associate's, 8 master's, 1 doctoral in North Carolina
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
19 online cloud computing degree programs in North Carolina
Flexible scheduling for working professionals
North Carolina community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
56 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: IBM, Cisco, Red Hat, SAS
Tech hubs in Raleigh and Charlotte
Hakia Research 2026
Cloud Computing degree programs near 92+ cities across North Carolina
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated July 13, 2026
How we ranked North Carolina Cloud Computing programs
We rank 79 accredited cloud computing programs in North Carolina using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Cloud Computing Degree Programs in North Carolina Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Cloud Computing Degree Rankings in North Carolina
Compare the top-ranked Cloud Computing programs in North Carolina by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Cloud Computing Programs in North Carolina
Program Landscape
North Carolina offers 56 accredited associate's degree programs in cloud computing, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Wake Technical Community ..., Guilford Technical Commun..., Forsyth Technical Communi..., which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in North Carolina offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $2,985/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $59,037 in North Carolina.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with North Carolina's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like IBM, Cisco, Red Hat hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among cloud computing schools in North Carolina, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their cloud computing degrees in North Carolina.
Show all 56 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | Salisbury, NC | Public | $1,824 | — | 44.9 |
| #7 | Pitt Community College | Winterville, NC | Public | $1,824 | — | 43.5 |
| #8 | Durham Technical Community College | Durham, NC | Public | $2,128 | — | 41.2 |
| #9 | Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 41.0 |
| #10 | Davidson-Davie Community College | Thomasville, NC | Public | $2,125 | — | 40.8 |
| #11 | Vance-Granville Community College | Henderson, NC | Public | $1,824 | — | 40.6 |
| #12 | Wayne Community College | Goldsboro, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 40.6 |
| #13 | Coastal Carolina Community College | Jacksonville, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 40.4 |
| #14 | Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 40.4 |
| #15 | Central Carolina Community College | Sanford, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 40.2 |
| #16 | Craven Community College | New Bern, NC | Public | $1,824 | — | 39.5 |
| #17 | Stanly Community College | Albemarle, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 39.5 |
| #18 | Randolph Community College | Asheboro, NC | Public | $2,280 | — | 39.3 |
| #19 | Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | Hudson, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 39.3 |
| #20 | Gaston College | Dallas, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 46.2 |
| #21 | Sandhills Community College | Pinehurst, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 39.3 |
| #22 | Surry Community College | Dobson, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 38.6 |
| #23 | Alamance Community College | Graham, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 38.6 |
| #24 | Nash Community College | Rocky Mount, NC | Public | $2,600 | — | 38.6 |
| #25 | Brunswick Community College | Bolivia, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 38.3 |
| #26 | Robeson Community College | Lumberton, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 38.3 |
| #27 | Sampson Community College | Clinton, NC | Public | $3,116 | — | 38.3 |
| #28 | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 38.0 |
| #29 | Beaufort County Community College | Washington, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 38.0 |
| #30 | South Piedmont Community College | Polkton, NC | Public | $1,824 | — | 37.4 |
| #31 | Wilkes Community College | Wilkesboro, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 37.4 |
| #32 | Catawba Valley Community College | Hickory, NC | Public | $2,128 | — | 37.1 |
| #33 | Mitchell Community College | Statesville, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 37.1 |
| #34 | Isothermal Community College | Spindale, NC | Public | $1,824 | — | 36.7 |
| #35 | College of the Albemarle | Elizabeth City, NC | Public | $2,102 | — | 43.2 |
| #36 | Blue Ridge Community College | Flat Rock, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 36.3 |
| #37 | Cleveland Community College | Shelby, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 36.3 |
| #38 | Wilson Community College | Wilson, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 36.3 |
| #39 | Bladen Community College | Dublin, NC | Public | $2,128 | — | 35.9 |
| #40 | Southwestern Community College | Sylva, NC | Public | $5,472 | — | 37.4 |
| #41 | Edgecombe Community College | Tarboro, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 35.9 |
| #42 | Richmond Community College | Hamlet, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 35.9 |
| #43 | Rockingham Community College | Wentworth, NC | Public | $1,824 | — | 35.5 |
| #44 | James Sprunt Community College | Kenansville, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 35.5 |
| #45 | Lenoir Community College | Kinston, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 35.5 |
| #46 | Southeastern Community College | Whiteville, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 35.5 |
| #47 | Carteret Community College | Morehead City, NC | Public | $2,128 | — | 35.0 |
| #48 | Piedmont Community College | Roxboro, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 35.0 |
| #49 | Western Piedmont Community College | Morganton, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 35.0 |
| #50 | McDowell Technical Community College | Marion, NC | Public | $1,824 | — | 34.4 |
| #51 | Martin Community College | Williamston, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 34.4 |
| #52 | Mayland Community College | Spruce Pine, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 34.4 |
| #53 | Roanoke-Chowan Community College | Ahoskie, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 34.4 |
| #54 | Tri-County Community College | Murphy, NC | Public | $2,304 | — | 33.6 |
| #55 | Haywood Community College | Clyde, NC | Public | $2,432 | — | 33.6 |
| #56 | Campbell University | Buies Creek, NC | Private | $37,750 | — | 30.7 |
Best Bachelor's Cloud Computing Programs in North Carolina
Program Landscape
North Carolina ranks among the nation's top destinations for cloud computing education, with 14 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 9 public and 4 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are U of North Carolina at Ch..., North Carolina A & T State, U of North Carolina at Ch..., recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from North Carolina cloud computing programs earn a median salary of $91,239, 7% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including IBM, Cisco, Red Hat.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $1,000 to $37,750 annually, with an average of $11,471/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 84%, with the highest reaching 93%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to North Carolina's leading technology employers. For students seeking cloud computing degrees in North Carolina, these top-ranked cloud computing schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina A & T State University
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Show all 14 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | Public | $4,443 | 79% | 52.3 |
| #7 | North Carolina Central University | Durham, NC | Public | $3,728 | 87% | 50.9 |
| #8 | Strayer University-North Carolina | Greensboro, NC | For-Profit | $13,725 | — | 48.8 |
| #9 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Pembroke, NC | Public | $1,000 | — | 41.8 |
| #10 | Johnson C Smith University | Charlotte, NC | Private | $18,450 | — | 43.1 |
| #11 | Winston-Salem State University | Winston-Salem, NC | Public | $3,401 | — | 41.2 |
| #12 | University of Mount Olive | Mount Olive, NC | Private | $24,850 | — | 39.4 |
| #13 | Campbell University | Buies Creek, NC | Private | $37,750 | — | 42.3 |
| #14 | Lenoir-Rhyne University | Hickory, NC | Private | $30,000 | — | 37.0 |
Best Master's Cloud Computing Programs in North Carolina
Program Landscape
North Carolina offers 8 master's degree programs in cloud computing, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of North Carolina at Ch..., North Carolina State Univ..., North Carolina A & T State, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in North Carolina earn a median salary of $107,340, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with IBM, Cisco, Red Hat actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $5,904/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among North Carolina's cloud computing schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
North Carolina A & T State University
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Show all 8 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Greensboro, NC | Public | $4,422 | — | 51.7 |
| #7 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | Public | $4,452 | — | 52.6 |
| #8 | Strayer University-North Carolina | Greensboro, NC | For-Profit | $13,725 | — | 43.6 |
Best Doctoral Cloud Computing Programs in North Carolina
Program Landscape
North Carolina is home to 1 doctoral programs in cloud computing, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at U of North Carolina at Ch... are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.
Career Outcomes
Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with North Carolina PhD holders earning a median of $134,175, reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Raleigh, Charlotte, Durham region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like IBM, Cisco, Red Hat.
Costs & Value
PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.
Curriculum & Specializations
Research strengths across North Carolina programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing cloud computing degrees in North Carolina, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Cloud Computing Degree Costs & Tuition in North Carolina
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $4,236/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $10,590/year |
| Community college tuition | $1,059/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $25,416 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $6,354 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid for North Carolina Cloud Computing Students
Verdict: North Carolina Cloud Computing students benefit from one of the strongest US cloud-computing funding-to-outcomes equations: the Carolina Covenant (UNC), Pack Promise (NC State), and University Promise (UNC Charlotte) providing debt-free graduation pathways for Pell-eligible students. Plus substantial NC cloud-computing employment, Bank of America Charlotte cloud (one of the larger US bank cloud migrations to AWS/Azure), Apple RTP cloud ($1B+ campus expansion adding substantial cloud engineering through 2027), SAS Institute cloud (Cary, substantial cloud-native analytics software platform engineering), IBM RTP cloud (multi-decade cloud infrastructure depth following Red Hat OpenShift acquisition), Truist cloud (Charlotte HQ, substantial post-merger bank cloud), Lowe's cloud (Mooresville HQ, substantial retail cloud migration), Honeywell cloud (Charlotte HQ), Lenovo cloud (Morrisville HQ), LabCorp / Quintiles cloud (Burlington HQ).
NC Carolina Covenant (UNC Chapel Hill) provides debt-free graduation for Pell-eligible NC residents at UNC Chapel Hill. NC State Pack Promise provides similar debt-free pathway at NC State. UNC Charlotte University Promise extends to Charlotte-area Pell-eligible students. In-state tuition at NC State and UNC Chapel Hill is exceptional value (under $9,500/year for NC State cloud-track CS, under $9,000/year for UNC cloud-track CS).
North Carolina's cloud-computing-specific institutional aid is concentrated at: NC State University Computer Science with substantial CS-with-cloud-emphasis and the unique SAS Institute direct relationship, NC State has substantial SAS-funded research, joint faculty positions, and one of the most direct undergraduate→cloud-native-analytics-software industry pipelines in the US. Duke University CS-with-cloud-emphasis + Duke MEDx Initiative for healthcare cloud applications. UNC Chapel Hill CS-with-cloud-emphasis with growing research depth. UNC Charlotte CS-with-cloud-emphasis with substantial Charlotte banking and financial-services cloud industry partnerships at Bank of America cloud, Truist cloud, Wells Fargo Charlotte cloud, plus Honeywell and Lowe's industrial cloud industry placement. The North Carolina community college cloud certification + AAS-cloud degree programs at Wake Technical Community College, Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), Durham Technical Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College provide substantial AWS/Azure/GCP certification pathways.
Industry-track scholarships and certification reimbursement from North Carolina-based cloud employers, SAS Institute cloud (Cary, substantial cloud-native analytics software platform engineering supporting SAS Viya cloud-native ML/AI platform), Apple RTP cloud engineering ($1B+ campus expansion adding substantial cloud engineering through 2027), IBM RTP cloud (multi-decade cloud infrastructure depth following Red Hat OpenShift acquisition, substantial cloud platform engineering supporting IBM Cloud Pak portfolio), Bank of America Charlotte cloud (one of the larger US bank cloud migrations to AWS/Azure with substantial AWS Solutions Architect and Azure Administrator employment), Truist cloud (Charlotte HQ, substantial post-merger bank cloud migration supporting Truist Financial's substantial banking operations), Wells Fargo Charlotte cloud, Lowe's cloud (Mooresville HQ, substantial retail cloud migration), Honeywell cloud (Charlotte HQ, substantial industrial cloud), Lenovo cloud (Morrisville HQ), Cisco RTP cloud (substantial cloud-networking engineering), Red Hat cloud (open-source enterprise cloud platform engineering), LabCorp / Quintiles cloud (Burlington HQ, substantial clinical research cloud), provide additional funding most students don't pursue.
Cloud Computing Degree ROI Calculator, North Carolina
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a cloud computing degree in North Carolina. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Cloud Computing Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a cloud computing degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+907%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,677,254
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$147,368
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Cloud Computing Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in North Carolina metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Raleigh | $118K |
| Charlotte | $113K |
| Durham | $107K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Cloud Computing Graduates in North Carolina
Find cloud computing jobs in North Carolina. These major employers across North Carolina metro areas are actively hiring cloud computing degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Cloud Computing Jobs in raleighDurham
NCCloud Computing Jobs in Charlotte
NCCharlotte is the second-largest banking center in the US. Bank of America and Wells Fargo drive fintech demand.
Nearby cities: Huntersville, Concord, Matthews, Gastonia, Rock Hill, Mooresville
North Carolina Tech Industry & Infrastructure
North Carolina's Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) is one of the densest US tech corridors per capita, anchored by three major research universities (NC State, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill) and a 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park hosting hundreds of tech employers. Charlotte separately operates as a top-tier US financial-services tech hub.
Research Triangle
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metros
Home to SAS Institute (analytics), IBM Research Triangle Park, Cisco, Red Hat (now IBM), Lenovo Americas HQ, Epic Games, Citrix, Bandwidth, and the Research Triangle Park complex. NC State CS, Duke CS, and UNC computer science all feed the local market — combined a top-10 US CS graduate pipeline.
Charlotte
Charlotte metro
Bank of America HQ and a top-3 US banking center. Wells Fargo, Truist, LendingTree, and dense fintech employment. Charlotte tech is heavily financial-services-coded; less consumer/startup but exceptionally stable employment.
Asheville / Western NC
Asheville metro
Smaller but growing remote-work and outdoor-industry tech market; not a primary tech destination but increasingly relevant for lifestyle-driven talent.
North Carolina has a flat state income tax (4.5% in 2026, scheduled to decline further). The NC Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) and One NC Fund are the principal tech-employer incentives — Apple's $1B+ RTP campus relocation was supported by these programs.
North Carolina Regulation Affecting Cloud Computing Graduates
North Carolina has been more active on legislation around identity theft, biometrics, and AI in employment than on broad consumer privacy. The state's regulatory environment is generally employer-favorable but has tightened on data security since several high-profile state-government breaches.
NC Identity Theft Protection Act
Requires businesses to notify NC residents of data security breaches and sets minimum data-handling and disposal standards for personal information.
Standard breach-response compliance for any NC-resident-serving business; minimum technical standards have informed security-program design at NC-headquartered employers.
Read moreNC Computer Trespass Statute (N.C.G.S. § 14-453 et seq.)
State cybercrime law parallel to federal CFAA; covers unauthorized computer access, computer-related fraud, and damage to data.
Relevant for cybersecurity professionals doing incident response, penetration testing, or security research within NC.
Read moreNC Insurance Data Security Act
Adopted from the NAIC model; requires insurers and insurance-adjacent businesses to maintain comprehensive information security programs with risk assessments, incident response plans, and third-party oversight.
Drives security-engineering hiring at Charlotte-based insurance and financial-services employers; sets the technical bar for NC financial-services security teams.
Read moreProfessional Engineer Licensure in North Carolina
North Carolina does not currently administer a separate Software Engineering PE license. Standard engineering disciplines require ABET-EAC accreditation for PE eligibility; software engineering is not a recognized NC PE discipline. NC State's ABET-EAC software engineering program does qualify graduates for engineering tracks at federal agencies that recognize software engineering as engineering.
North Carolina licensing boardNorth Carolina Financial Aid Programs
NC Need-Based Scholarship (NCNBS)
State scholarshipUp to $11,150/yr
NC residents with demonstrated financial need at NC private colleges/universities
UNC Need-Based Grant
State grantVaries by institution and need; averages ~$3,500/yr
NC residents with financial need attending one of 16 UNC System universities
NC Education Lottery Scholarship
State grantUp to $5,100/yr at 4-year, $2,800/yr at community college
NC residents at NC public 2-year and 4-year institutions with financial need
NC Community College Grant
State grantUp to $2,800/yr
NC residents at NC community colleges with financial need
Transfer Pathways for North Carolina Cloud Computing Students
Verdict: North Carolina's Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) between the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) and the UNC System provides robust cloud-computing-track CS transfer pathways at the foundational level. Cloud-track transfer admission is substantially more accessible than CS-track admission at most NC 4-year institutions, often 40-70% for qualified transfer applicants.
Best North Carolina community college cloud-computing-track-feeder schools: Wake Technical Community College (largest NCCCS institution, strong NC State cloud pipeline with refined cloud-computing prerequisite + AWS/Azure/GCP certification programs aligned to SAS Institute cloud, Apple RTP cloud, and IBM RTP cloud industry placement during community college years), Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) (Charlotte, strong UNC Charlotte cloud pipeline with substantial Bank of America cloud, Truist cloud, Wells Fargo Charlotte cloud, Lowe's cloud, and Honeywell cloud industry placement), Durham Technical Community College (Durham, geographically adjacent to Duke + NC Central, strong Duke Health cloud and NC Central cloud pathways), Forsyth Technical Community College (Winston-Salem, strong Wake Forest and UNC Greensboro cloud pathways). Each has refined cloud-computing prerequisite + AWS/Azure/GCP certification programs via CAA articulation.
The Wake Tech → NC State cloud-track pathway is the most reliable North Carolina community college cloud progression, Wake Tech is geographically adjacent to NC State and RTP, has refined cloud certification programs aligned to NC State's cloud-track CS programs, and produces graduates with substantial SAS Institute cloud, Apple RTP cloud, and IBM RTP cloud industry placement. The CPCC → UNC Charlotte cloud-track pathway is the most reliable Charlotte-area cloud progression with substantial Bank of America cloud, Truist cloud, Wells Fargo Charlotte cloud, Lowe's cloud, and Honeywell cloud industry placement at exceptional in-state tuition.
Beyond NC State and UNC Charlotte cloud: UNC Chapel Hill has substantial CS-with-cloud-emphasis programs. Duke University has CS-with-cloud-emphasis programs but transfer admission is genuinely difficult. NC A&T State University (HBCU) has growing CS-with-cloud-emphasis programs with substantial scholarship support. East Carolina University, Appalachian State, Western Carolina are affordable comprehensive alternatives. Wake Forest University has CS-with-cloud-emphasis programs at small-private scale. For North Carolina cloud-computing-track students, the NC State pathway is the strong RTP industry optimization with SAS Institute / Apple RTP / IBM RTP cloud placement; UNC Charlotte is the Charlotte banking/retail cloud optimization with substantial industry placement; UNC Chapel Hill is the strong public flagship optimization; East Carolina/Appalachian State are the affordable comprehensive alternatives.
Cloud Computing Job Growth in North Carolina
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook
North Carolina Cloud Computing Job Market & Salary
Verdict: North Carolina has a substantial and growing Cloud Computing engineer job market with three distinct clusters: Research Triangle Park (RTP) tech cloud, SAS Institute cloud (Cary, substantial cloud-native analytics software platform engineering supporting SAS Viya), Apple RTP cloud ($1B+ campus expansion adding substantial cloud engineering through 2027), IBM RTP cloud (multi-decade cloud infrastructure depth following Red Hat OpenShift acquisition), Cisco RTP cloud, Red Hat cloud, Lenovo cloud (Morrisville HQ), and Charlotte's banking and financial-services cloud cluster, Bank of America Charlotte cloud (one of the larger US bank cloud migrations to AWS/Azure), Truist cloud (Charlotte HQ, substantial post-merger bank cloud migration), Wells Fargo Charlotte cloud, Fidelity Charlotte cloud, Lowe's cloud (Mooresville HQ), Honeywell cloud (Charlotte HQ), Duke Energy cloud (Charlotte HQ), and broader NC industrial and healthcare cloud, LabCorp / Quintiles cloud (Burlington), Duke Health cloud.
By metro: Raleigh-Durham (RTP) averages ~$150,000-$215,000 for cloud engineer roles per Levels.fyi with substantial concentrations at SAS Institute cloud (Cary, substantial cloud-native analytics software platform engineering supporting SAS Viya cloud-native ML/AI platform and SAS Visual Analytics cloud platform), Apple RTP cloud ($1B+ campus expansion adding 3,000+ engineering jobs through 2027 with substantial cloud engineering concentration supporting Apple's substantial iCloud, App Store, and Apple Services cloud operations), IBM RTP cloud (multi-decade cloud infrastructure depth, IBM Cloud Pak portfolio engineering, OpenShift engineering following the Red Hat acquisition), Cisco RTP cloud (substantial cloud-networking engineering), Red Hat cloud (substantial OpenShift and Red Hat Enterprise Linux cloud engineering, Red Hat is owned by IBM but maintains substantial independent open-source cloud platform engineering culture), Lenovo cloud (Morrisville HQ).
Charlotte averages ~$150,000-$210,000 for cloud engineer roles with Bank of America Charlotte cloud as the substantial employer, one of the larger US bank cloud migrations to AWS/Azure with substantial AWS Solutions Architect and Azure Administrator employment supporting Bank of America's substantial banking infrastructure across consumer banking, wealth management, commercial banking, and capital markets cloud operations. Truist cloud (Charlotte HQ), substantial post-merger bank cloud migration supporting Truist Financial's substantial banking operations across 17 states + DC. Wells Fargo Charlotte cloud (substantial Wells Fargo cloud operations second only to NYC in scale). Lowe's cloud (Mooresville HQ, substantial retail cloud migration supporting Lowe's substantial 1,750+ home improvement retail operations). Honeywell cloud (Charlotte HQ, substantial industrial cloud supporting Honeywell's substantial industrial operations). Duke Energy cloud (Charlotte HQ, substantial utility cloud).
Three North Carolina cloud-computing-specific dynamics: (1) Apple RTP's substantial expansion through 2027 is one of the largest US tech-company cloud engineering expansions outside the Bay Area or Seattle, providing genuine non-FAANG-HQ-located cloud engineering employment scale. (2) Charlotte banking cloud migrations are one of the largest US bank cloud engineering markets outside NYC, Bank of America, Truist, Wells Fargo Charlotte, plus Fidelity Charlotte collectively employ tens of thousands of cloud engineers and cloud architects with substantial career stability through economic cycles. (3) SAS Institute cloud's direct NC State CS partnership produces a structurally unique undergraduate→cloud-native-analytics-software industry pipeline, NC State CS graduates regularly join SAS engineering and cloud platform operations directly with substantial SAS-funded scholarships throughout the NC State CS program. See Cloud Engineer Career Guide and DevOps Engineer Career Guide.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Cloud Computing Programs in North Carolina
Online Programs
19 available in North Carolina
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
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Cloud Computing Degree Programs in North Carolina: FAQ
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Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
North Carolina salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.