Isothermal Community College Photo #3 - Aerial photo of Isothermal Community College. Photo by Jim Liverett

Isothermal Community College

286 ICC Loop Road
Spindale, NC 28160
Top Ranked (2025): View Rankings
  • Isothermal Community College exists to improve life through learning. Isothermal Community College is an institution committed to the journey charted by the concept of the Learning-Centered College.

School Highlights

Isothermal Community College serves 2,535 students (30% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 10:1 is lower than the state community college average of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 27% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 48%.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 2,535 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,358
  • Out-state tuition: $8,502
  • Student:teacher ratio: 10:1
  • Minority enrollment: 27%
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Isothermal Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:

Category
Attribute
Completion Rates

School Overview

The teacher population of 247 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Isothermal Community College
(NC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Nontraditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
247 staff
256 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Isothermal Community College and community college average number of faculty in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Number of Programs Offered
40
68

Student Body

The student population of Isothermal Community College has grown by 21% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 10:1 has increased from 8:1 over five years.
The Isothermal Community College diversity score of 0.45 is less than the state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,535 students
2,542 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Isothermal Community College and community college average number of enrollment of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
13:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Isothermal Community College and community college average student staff ratio of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
757 students
766 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Isothermal Community College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
1,778 students
1,813 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Isothermal Community College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Isothermal Community College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of North Carolina.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
253 students
316 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
757 students
766 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Isothermal Community College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
22 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,778 students
1,990 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
3 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
717 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Isothermal Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
% Asian
1%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Isothermal Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
9%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Isothermal Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
% Black
10%
21%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Isothermal Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
73%
52%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Isothermal Community College and the percentage of White community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in Isothermal Community College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
% Two or more races
3%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Isothermal Community College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in Isothermal Community College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2012-13 school year data.
% Unknown races
3%
5%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Isothermal Community College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in North Carolina.
Diversity Score
0.45
0.66
This chart displays the diversity score of Isothermal Community College and the community college average diversity score of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.53%
0.3684%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Isothermal Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.4286%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$27,200
$27,500
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Isothermal Community College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of North Carolina by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $2,358 is less than the state average of $3,915. The in-state tuition has grown by 18% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,502 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has grown by 28% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,358
$3,915
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Isothermal Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,502
$9,508
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Isothermal Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
93%
82%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Isothermal Community College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$8,000
$10,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Isothermal Community College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$6,000
$6,000
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Isothermal Community College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
82%
SAT Reading
n/a
488
SAT Math
n/a
498
ACT Composite
n/a
20
ACT English
n/a
13
ACT Math
n/a
16
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Isothermal Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a comprehensive, two-year, public institution that serves the individuals in Rutherford and Polk Counties. The College offers individual courses and certificate, diploma and degree programs that enable students to transfer to four-year institutions or to acquire skills for new or continued employment, as well as to function effectively as citizens in our society. In addition, the College provides training for area business and industry, personal enrichment courses, remedial and developmental courses and community service activities. Programs of study fall into two major categories: college transfer and career preparation. The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degree Programs are designed primarily for students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university. The Associate of Applied Science Degree, Diploma, and Certificate Programs are designed for career preparation. Some Associate of Applied Science Degree Programs are also transferable to four-year colleges and universities. Isothermal Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Isothermal Community College cost?
Isothermal Community College's tuition is approximately $2,358 for In-State students and $8,502 for Out-State students.
What is Isothermal Community College's ranking?
Isothermal Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Percent of students receiving financial aid and Highest completion rates.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 2,535 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,358
  • Out-state tuition: $8,502
  • Student:teacher ratio: 10:1
  • Minority enrollment: 27%
  • Source: Verified school update

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For North Carolina public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,915 per year for in-state students and $9,508 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $19,438 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in North Carolina is 77%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

North Carolina community colleges have a diversity score of 0.66, which is higher than the national average of 0.00. The most diverse community college in North Carolina is Gaston College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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