- The mission of Catawba Valley Community College is to empower individuals and enrich the community by providing quality education and workforce training for economic and personal development.
School Highlights
Catawba Valley Community College serves 4,904 students (25% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 15:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 50%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 4,904 students
- In-state tuition: $2,502
- Out-state tuition: $8,646
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
- Minority enrollment: 36%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Catawba Valley Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 326 teachers has declined by 36% over five years.
Catawba Valley Community College
(NC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
0
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
0
Institution Control
Public
0
Total Faculty
326 staff
129 staff
Number of Programs Offered
-2
51
Student Body
The student population of Catawba Valley Community College has grown by 13% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 15:1 has increased from 9:1 over five years.
The Catawba Valley Community College diversity score of 0.55 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 12% over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,904 students
2,143 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
21:1
# Full-Time Students
1,241 students
650 students
# Part-Time Students
3,663 students
1,493 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
262 students
300 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,241 students
650 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
50 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,663 students
1,517 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
7 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
719 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
1%
% Asian
6%
3%
% Hispanic
16%
14%
% Black
7%
22%
% White
64%
50%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
4%
3%
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
% Unknown races
2%
6%
Diversity Score
0.55
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
31%
37%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$29,700
$27,500
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $2,502 is less than the state average of $3,915. The in-state tuition has grown by 5% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,646 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has grown by 11% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,502
$3,915
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,646
$9,508
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
68%
79%
Median Debt for Graduates
$6,750
$11,865
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,351
$5,846
Acceptance Rate
77%
75%
SAT Reading
n/a
488
SAT Math
n/a
498
ACT Composite
n/a
20
ACT English
n/a
16
ACT Math
n/a
18
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Through the concerted efforts of concerned and united Catawba County citizens and North Carolina educational leaders, on April 3, 1958, Catawba Valley Community College was established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as the ninth school of its kind in the state. In July 1963. the General Assembly of North Carolina enacted into law G.S. 115A which provided for the establishment of the present North Carolina System of Community Colleges. On January 9, 1964, Catawba Valley Technical Institute was among the original seven institutes chartered by the Department. At that time, CVTI established its own Board of Trustees and began operation as a member of the Department of Community Colleges. Thus, it was in August 1964, that the College awarded its first Associate Degree in Applied Science. Catawba Valley Community College, located about half way between Hickory and Newton on Highways 70 and 321, is in Catawba County, North Carolina. The campus covers 120 acres and includes ten buildings for a total of 270.000 square feet of floor space. In addition, there is a college Art Center on the Startown Highway, an Education Center in downtown Newton, the Alexander County Center, Balls Creek Center, and an East Campus. CVCC offers a variety of education programs including but not limited to the following: College Transfer, Automotive Systems, Business, Criminal Justice, Engineering Technology, Environmental Life Science, Furniture Technology, Health Science, Humanities, Industrial Technologies, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Corporate & Continuing Education. CVCC offers a variety of vocational and technical education programs that can be completed in two years or less. Our College transfer programs are designed to give students the first two years of a four-year college education. A student's experience at Catawba Valley Community College does not begin and end in the classroom. Various activities, opportunities, and functions of a social and professional nature are offered by Student Government in order to provide a well rounded campus atmosphere. The College encourages participation in student organizations and activities. Programs sponsored include Fall and Spring Flings, N4C SGA conferences, co-curricular activities, NJCAA women's volleyball and NJCAA men's basketball and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Catawba Valley Community College cost?
Catawba Valley Community College's tuition is approximately $2,502 for In-State students and $8,646 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of Catawba Valley Community College?
The acceptance rate of Catawba Valley Community College is 77%, which is higher than the state average of 75%.
What is Catawba Valley Community College's ranking?
Catawba Valley Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Largest student body and Least debt for graduating students.
Recent Articles
Community Colleges and the Creator Economy
Explore how community colleges prepare students for YouTube, podcasting, content creation, and creator economy careers.
AI-Augmented Careers and Community Colleges
Explore AI-augmented careers and how community colleges prepare students with practical skills, credentials, and employer-aligned training.
Catholic School Marketing Strategies in Competitive Choice Markets
Learn effective Catholic school marketing strategies for standing out in competitive school choice markets in 2026.
