Beaufort County Community College: $2,540 Tuition

$2,540Tuition

1,560Students

36%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$32,519Earnings

Public2-yearStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Beaufort County Community College

This eastern North Carolina community college serves 1,560 students in the small town of Washington, where the Pamlico River meets Albemarle Sound. The college has built a reputation for workforce development programs that directly serve the region's maritime, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. With an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small and personal. The campus draws heavily from the local community, with 99% of students coming from in-state.

Students pay an average net price of $5,105 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable options in North Carolina's community college system. In-state tuition runs just $2,540 annually. Graduates earn a median of $32,519 ten years after enrollment, though earnings vary by program. The college serves many first-generation students, with 31% receiving Pell Grants.

Women make up two-thirds of the student body, reflecting strong enrollment in the college's nursing and early childhood education programs. The graduation rate of 36% is typical for rural community colleges that serve many part-time and working students. About 77% of graduates find employment after completing their programs, often staying in the region to work in local industries.

Academics & Faculty

Beaufort County Community College serves eastern North Carolina with career-focused programs that reflect the region's economic needs. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in small classes where professors know students by name. The college emphasizes hands-on training in health sciences, maritime technology, and skilled trades that connect directly to local employers. With 36% of students completing their programs within six years, the school balances open access with practical outcomes. The college's workforce development mission means students can earn industry certifications alongside their degrees. Many programs partner with area hospitals, manufacturers, and marine industries to provide real-world experience before graduation.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Full-Time Faculty: 30.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 36.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $32,519

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$48,935
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	Associate	$32,925
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$32,925
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$27,874
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$21,052
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$20,140

View all 38 programs →

Campus Life

This eastern North Carolina campus sits in Washington, a historic river town about 100 miles southeast of Raleigh. Women make up 66% of the student body at this community college that draws almost exclusively from local communities. The humid subtropical climate means you'll need both winter jackets for January lows in the 30s and plenty of sunscreen for steamy summers that stretch into September.

With 1,560 students spread across a commuter campus, social life revolves around the nearby Pamlico River waterfront and small-town gatherings rather than dorm parties. The 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio creates an intimate classroom environment where professors know your name. Most students juggle classes with work or family obligations, reflected in the 77% employment rate among graduates. Weekend activities center on Washington's antique shops, the annual North Carolina Estuarium visits, or heading to the Outer Banks beaches an hour east. The tight-knit campus culture means study groups often turn into friendships that extend beyond graduation, especially among the many students pursuing healthcare and technical programs.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1967

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 34°–53°F
July Avg: 72°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 49.3"
Annual Snowfall: 2.0"

Student Demographics

Students from eastern North Carolina's coastal communities make up virtually the entire student body, with 99% coming from in-state. The school draws twice as many women as men, reflecting strong nursing and health science programs that anchor the curriculum. Nearly one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working families seeking affordable career training. The diverse racial makeup mirrors the region's demographics, with significant representation from Black and Hispanic communities. Most students are older learners balancing work and family while pursuing certificates or associate degrees in healthcare, maritime trades, and business.

Men: 33.7%
Women: 66.4%
White: 47.4%
Black: 30.5%
Hispanic: 14.0%
Asian: 0.3%
In-State Students: 99.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 31.1%

Location

Washington, North Carolina sits along the Pamlico River in the state's Inner Banks region, about 100 miles southeast of Raleigh. This rural-fringe community of roughly 10,000 residents serves as the seat of Beaufort County. The area is known for its historic waterfront downtown and proximity to both the Outer Banks beaches and extensive farmland. With 99.33% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from eastern North Carolina's agricultural and maritime communities. The region offers affordable living costs, reflected in the college's low net price of $4,595 for families earning under $30,000. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Beaufort County Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Washington, North Carolina 27889

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $32,519
Median Earnings (5 years): $43,950
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $23,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 16.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Beaufort County Community College?

As a community college, Beaufort County Community College maintains open enrollment for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. With 1,560 students enrolled, the college serves as an accessible entry point to higher education in eastern North Carolina's coastal region.

How much does Beaufort County Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $5,105 annually at Beaufort County Community College. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,595 after aid, making this one of the most affordable educational options in the region.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Beaufort County Community College?

Beaufort County Community College maintains an 8:1 student-faculty ratio, providing personalized attention in small classes. The college specializes in workforce development and transfer programs that serve the agricultural and maritime industries of eastern North Carolina.

What are typical earnings for Beaufort County Community College graduates?

Graduates earn a median of $32,519 ten years after enrollment at Beaufort County Community College. With a 77.2% employment rate, the college successfully prepares students for local job markets in healthcare, business, and technical fields.

Where is Beaufort County Community College located and who attends?

The college sits in Washington, North Carolina, a small town along the Pamlico River in a rural-fringe setting. Nearly all students are North Carolina residents (99.33%), with women comprising 66.35% of the student body.

Does Beaufort County Community College have a good graduation rate?

The college reports a 36.30% six-year graduation rate, which reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and family responsibilities. Founded in 1967, the institution has long served as a stepping stone for students seeking affordable education and career training in coastal North Carolina.