South Piedmont Community College

680 Highway 74 West
Polkton, NC 28135
Top Ranked (2025): View Rankings
  • South Piedmont Community College is a multi-campus institution serving Anson and Union counties in south-central North Carolina. South Piedmont is a comprehensive community college, one of 58 in the highly regarded North Carolina Community College System. The college offers traditional and unique programs, and prides itself on its focus on learning.

School Highlights

South Piedmont Community College serves 4,479 students (16% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 18:1 is higher than the state community college average of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 47% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 48%.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 4,479 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,873
  • Out-state tuition: $6,481
  • Student:teacher ratio: 18:1
  • Minority enrollment: 47%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute

School Overview

The teacher population of 254 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
South Piedmont Community College
(NC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High 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
254 staff
256 staff
This chart displays total faculty of South Piedmont 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 South Piedmont Community College has grown by 42% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 18:1 has increased from 12:1 over five years.
The South Piedmont Community College diversity score of 0.67 is more than the state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,479 students
2,542 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of South Piedmont 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
18:1
13:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of South Piedmont 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
700 students
766 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of South Piedmont 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
3,779 students
1,813 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of South Piedmont 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 South Piedmont Community College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of North Carolina.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
447 students
316 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
700 students
766 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of South Piedmont 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
3,779 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 South Piedmont 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
5%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in South Piedmont Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
15%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in South Piedmont Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
% Black
15%
21%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in South Piedmont Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
53%
52%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in South Piedmont 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 South Piedmont 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 South Piedmont 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
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in South Piedmont Community College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
8%
5%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in South Piedmont Community College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in North Carolina.
Diversity Score
0.67
0.66
This chart displays the diversity score of South Piedmont 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)
0.3179%
0.3684%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of South Piedmont 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)
$25,500
$27,500
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of South Piedmont 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 $1,873 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 $6,481 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$1,873
$3,915
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of South Piedmont 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
$6,481
$9,508
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of South Piedmont 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
44%
82%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in South Piedmont 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
n/a
$11,865
Median Debt for Dropouts
n/a
$5,846
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

  • South Piedmont Community College is located in one of the top five fastest-growing regions in the United States. We are convenient, with locations in Monroe, Polkton and Wadesboro. And we care about our students and the communities we serve. SPCC is learner focused and is dedicated to the success of all of our students, both the young and the young at heart. Being learner focused provides all students the opportunity to excel and achieve their goals. South Piedmont Community College offers credit and non-credit at three college-owned facilities and at dozens of off-campus sites across Anson and Union counties. The college is approved by the North Carolina Community College System and operates under the State Board of Community Colleges. South Piedmont offers more than 30 different credit programs. The college is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges. L.L. Polk Campus is located at 680 Highway 74 West, Polkton. Credit classes are offered on the Polk Campus as well as a limited number of non-credit and Adult Basic Skills classes. South Piedmont Community College has a number of facilities available for community use, including the Conference Center at South Piedmont on the Old Charlotte Highway Campus in Monroe and the Charles N. and Mary Alice Caudle Ingram Community Room at the Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro. Both rooms can accommodate up to 400 for events involving meals and approximately 600 for events set up auditorium style. South Piedmont Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does South Piedmont Community College cost?
South Piedmont Community College's tuition is approximately $1,873 for In-State students and $6,481 for Out-State students.
What is South Piedmont Community College's ranking?
South Piedmont Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Least expensive tuition.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 4,479 students
  • In-state tuition: $1,873
  • Out-state tuition: $6,481
  • Student:teacher ratio: 18:1
  • Minority enrollment: 47%
  • 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 0.66, 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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