Tri-County Community College

21 Campus Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
Top Ranked (2024-25): View Rankings
  • Tri-County Community College is an accredited, comprehensive, publicly-supported, two-year post-secondary institution which operates in accordance with North Carolina Law and the administrative policies of the North Carolina Community College System. Located in the westernmost tip of North Carolina, the College serves commuter students in a remote, rural area consisting of Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties by providing college transfer, vocational, technical, and adult education programs.

School Highlights

Tri-County Community College serves 962 students (37% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 5:1 is lower than the state community college average of 9:1.
Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 95%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 962 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,363
  • Out-state tuition: $8,507
  • Student:teacher ratio: 5:1
  • Minority enrollment: 97%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute

School Overview

The teacher population of 178 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Tri-County 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
178 staff
256 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Tri-County 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 Tri-County Community College has declined by 11% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 5:1 has decreased from 6:1 over five years.
The Tri-County Community College diversity score of 0.22 is less than the state average of 0.65. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
962 students
1,993 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Tri-County 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
5:1
9:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Tri-County 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
355 students
644 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Tri-County 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
607 students
1,349 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Tri-County 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 Tri-County Community College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of North Carolina.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
808 students
252 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
355 students
644 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Tri-County 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
607 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 Tri-County 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
1%
19%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Tri-County 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 Tri-County Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
% Black
4%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Tri-County Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
3%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Tri-County Community College and the percentage of White community college students in North Carolina by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
88%
54%
% Two or more races
3%
4%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Tri-County 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
n/a
1%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Tri-County Community College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in North Carolina.
Diversity Score
0.22
0.65
This chart displays the diversity score of Tri-County 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)
0.3231%
0.3863%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Tri-County 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)
$24,300
$27,500
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Tri-County 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 $2,363 is less than the state average of $3,915. The in-state tuition has declined by 5% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,507 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,363
$3,915
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Tri-County 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
$8,507
$9,508
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Tri-County 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
97%
82%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Tri-County 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
$11,500
$10,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Tri-County 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
$9,500
$6,000
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Tri-County 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

  • The roots of Tri-County Community College date back to mid 1964, when political and educational leaders of Cherokee County met with representatives of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute. That same year, the North Carolina State Board of Education approved The Tri-County Industrial Education Center to operate as a part of the State Department of Community Colleges. Tri-County Community College have two campuses. Both are located in areas of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains that are among the most beautiful and charming places on earth. Quality of life is high. Costs are low. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, attracting visitors from around the world, year-round. We have no residential facilities on campus, but there are plenty of folks near us who can accommodate student housing needs. Academic programs currently being offered are designed within one of the following general categories: Technical-Programs classified as technical confer an Associate in Applied Science Degree. These programs are normally four or five semesters in length; General Education- The general education program confers an Associate Degree. This program is normally four semesters in length, and it is designed for those individuals who normally desire only two years of college; College Transfer- The program classified as college transfer confers an Associate in Arts Degree. This program is normally four semesters in length and is designed for individuals who plan to transfer to a senior institution for completion of a four year degree. The 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 Tri-County Community College cost?
Tri-County Community College's tuition is approximately $2,363 for In-State students and $8,507 for Out-State students.
What is Tri-County Community College's ranking?
Tri-County Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Percent of students receiving financial aid.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 962 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,363
  • Out-state tuition: $8,507
  • Student:teacher ratio: 5:1
  • Minority enrollment: 97%
  • 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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