McDowell Technical Community College

54 College Drive
Marion, NC 28752
Top Ranked (2024-25): View Rankings
  • The mission of McDowell Technical Community College to provide high-quality, comprehensive educational opportunities and services which fulfill the personal development, training and employment needs of the residents, businesses, and industries in McDowell County and surrounding areas. The College acknowledges and values cultural, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity and seeks to contribute to the maximum development of the individual and community through open door admissions and readily accessible and affordable programs. The college is dedicated to providing quality educational programs and services accessible to students on-campus, off-campus, or through distance learning. These educational programs and services are offered, within the limits of a available resources, regardless of disability or previous educational attainments.

School Highlights

McDowell Technical Community College serves 1,135 students (24% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 9:1 is same as the state community college average of 9:1.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 95%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 1,135 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,776
  • Out-state tuition: $6,384
  • Student:teacher ratio: 9:1
  • Minority enrollment: 98%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

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

School Overview

The teacher population of 126 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
McDowell Technical Community College
(NC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
126 staff
256 staff
This chart displays total faculty of McDowell Technical Community College and community college average number of faculty in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of McDowell Technical Community College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 9:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The McDowell Technical Community College diversity score of 0.33 is less than the state average of 0.65. The school's diversity has grown by 23% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,135 students
1,993 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of McDowell Technical Community College and community college average number of enrollment of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
9:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of McDowell Technical 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
269 students
644 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of McDowell Technical Community College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
866 students
1,349 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of McDowell Technical Community College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of McDowell Technical Community College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of North Carolina.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
634 students
252 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
269 students
644 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of McDowell Technical Community College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
10 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
866 students
1,404 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
27 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
717 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in McDowell Technical Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Asian
4%
19%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in McDowell Technical Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in McDowell Technical 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%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in McDowell Technical Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
2%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in McDowell Technical Community College and the percentage of White community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
81%
54%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in McDowell Technical Community College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Two or more races
1%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in McDowell Technical 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.
% Unknown races
1%
1%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in McDowell Technical Community College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in North Carolina.
Diversity Score
0.33
0.65
This chart displays the diversity score of McDowell Technical 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)
0.473%
0.3863%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of McDowell Technical Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.5387%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$25,900
$27,500
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of McDowell Technical 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 $1,776 is less than the state average of $3,915. The in-state tuition has declined by 7% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,384 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,776
$3,915
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of McDowell Technical Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,384
$9,508
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of McDowell Technical Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
83%
82%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in McDowell Technical 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
$4,634
$10,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in McDowell Technical 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
$6,500
$6,000
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in McDowell Technical 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: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • In 1964, McDowell Technical Community College was established as the Marion-McDowell Industrial Education Center, located in downtown Marion, N.C. near the corner of State Street and South Garden Street. M-MIEC operated as a satellite unit of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute until September, 1967. The school moved to permanent facilities on a 31-acre site at the intersection of Interstate 40 and Highway 226 in Marion in 1970. Today, McDowell Technical Community College offers Associate Degrees, Diplomas, and/or Certificates in more than 30 curriculum programs. The College also offers classes in many areas of Continuing Education. MTCC currently serves more than 6,800 students per year with some type of education and training. The college offers a number of Occupational and Continuing Education Services, including Teleconference Workshops, Computer Training, and a variety of specialized programs designed to enhance an individual's employability, to help him or her learn a new career, to establish a pattern of growth and stability in business and industry, and to help individuals stay abreast of trends in their chosen field. McDowell Technical Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does McDowell Technical Community College cost?
McDowell Technical Community College's tuition is approximately $1,776 for In-State students and $6,384 for Out-State students.
What is McDowell Technical Community College's ranking?
McDowell Technical Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Least expensive tuition and Average community college minority breakdown.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 1,135 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,776
  • Out-state tuition: $6,384
  • Student:teacher ratio: 9:1
  • Minority enrollment: 98%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

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 0.65, which is lower than the national average of 0.75. The most diverse community college in North Carolina is Durham Technical Community College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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