- Western Piedmont Community College is a public community college in Morganton, North Carolina. It was chartered on April 2, 1964, as a member of the North Carolina Community College System.
School Highlights
Western Piedmont Community College serves 2,330 students (33% 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 26% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 48%.
Quick Facts (2025-26)
- Enrollment: 2,330 students
- In-state tuition: $2,417
- Out-state tuition: $8,561
- Student-teacher ratio: 10:1
- Minority enrollment: 26%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Western Piedmont Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 242 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Western Piedmont Community College
(NC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-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
242 staff
256 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Western Piedmont Community College has grown by 28% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 10:1 has increased from 7:1 over five years.
The Western Piedmont Community College diversity score of 0.43 is less than the state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has grown by 14% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,330 students
2,579 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
13:1
# Full-Time Students
766 students
766 students
# Part-Time Students
1,564 students
1,813 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
233 students
316 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
766 students
766 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
22 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,564 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%
% Asian
5%
3%
% Hispanic
13%
13%
% Black
6%
21%
% White
74%
52%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
1%
3%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
n/a
5%
Diversity Score
0.43
0.66
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
40%
37%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
43%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$28,200
$27,500
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $2,417 is less than the state average of $3,915. The in-state tuition has declined by 6% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,561 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,417
$3,915
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,561
$9,508
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
76%
82%
Median Debt for Graduates
$4,671
$10,994
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,500
$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 Administrators
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Western Piedmont Community College cost?
Western Piedmont Community College's tuition is approximately $2,417 for In-State students and $8,561 for Out-State students.
What schools are Western Piedmont Community College often compared to?
Western Piedmont Community Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute by visitors of our site.
What is Western Piedmont Community College's ranking?
Western Piedmont Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Least debt for graduating students.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Western Piedmont Community College is Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (14.8 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
2855 Hickory Boulevard
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 726-2200
Hudson, NC 28638
(828) 726-2200
14.8 miles
Enrollment: 4,721 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 In-state tuition: $2,380 Out-state tuition: $8,524 Minority enrollment: 23%
54 College Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-6021
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-6021
15.8 miles
Enrollment: 1,498 student Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Acceptance rate: 50% In-state tuition: $1,776 Out-state tuition: $6,384 Minority enrollment: 26%
2550 Hwy 70 SE
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-7000
Hickory, NC 28602
(828) 327-7000
22.7 miles
Enrollment: 5,758 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Acceptance rate: 77% In-state tuition: $2,502 Out-state tuition: $8,646 Minority enrollment: 35%
200 Mayland Drive
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 765-7351
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 765-7351
23.5 miles
Enrollment: 1,114 student Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $2,561 Out-state tuition: $8,584 Minority enrollment: 14%
286 ICC Loop Road
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 286-3636
Spindale, NC 28160
(828) 286-3636
29.4 miles
Enrollment: 2,535 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 In-state tuition: $2,358 Out-state tuition: $8,502 Minority enrollment: 27%
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