Edgecombe Community College: $2,640 Tuition

$2,640Tuition

938Students

58%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$33,267Earnings

#17 in North CarolinaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Edgecombe Community College

Edgecombe Community College serves the agricultural communities of eastern North Carolina with practical workforce training and university transfer options. With just 938 students, this rural-fringe institution focuses on preparing locals for regional employment opportunities. The college emphasizes hands-on learning in fields that match the area's economic needs.

Students pay remarkably little to attend, with average net costs of just $6,073 after financial aid. Nearly half of students (47%) receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's role serving working-class families. Graduates typically earn $33,267 ten years after completing their programs. The monthly loan payment of $169 remains manageable for most, though the 22% loan repayment rate suggests some graduates struggle financially. For families earning under $30,000, net costs drop to just $4,748 annually.

The student body is overwhelmingly female at nearly 80%, reflecting strong enrollment in healthcare and human services programs. More than half the students are Black (55%) while 30% are white, making this one of North Carolina's more diverse community colleges. Every student comes from in-state, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention, and the 91% employment rate shows most graduates find work quickly after completing their programs.

Academics & Faculty

Edgecombe Community College serves as a workforce development center for eastern North Carolina's rural communities. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in small classes where professors know students by name. With 57.6% of students completing their programs within six years, the college focuses heavily on practical career training alongside traditional transfer pathways. Students can pursue nursing, welding, automotive technology, and other hands-on programs designed to meet regional employment needs. The college's strength lies in connecting classroom learning to real-world job skills. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's mission to serve working-class families seeking affordable career advancement or college transfer preparation.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 23.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 57.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $33,267

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$52,464
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$40,017
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$31,133
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$29,141
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$25,967
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	Associate	$18,315
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$17,282
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.	Certificate	$15,552

View all 42 programs →

Campus Life

Nearly 80% of students at Edgecombe Community College are women, creating a female-focused campus environment in rural Tarboro. The college sits about 75 miles east of Raleigh in North Carolina's coastal plain, where humid summers require air conditioning and mild winters rarely drop below freezing. Students commute from across eastern North Carolina since the college has no dormitories. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and notice when you miss class.

Weekends often revolve around family and work commitments rather than campus activities. Many students balance jobs with their studies, as evidenced by the strong 91% employment rate among graduates. The small enrollment of 938 students creates a tight-knit community where everyone recognizes familiar faces in the hallways. Students frequently gather in the cafeteria or library between classes, and study groups often form naturally given the collaborative atmosphere. With 100% in-state enrollment, most students share similar backgrounds and stay connected to their eastern North Carolina roots throughout their education.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

4 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Public Property
Burglary	2	0
Fondling	1	0
Murder	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 28°–50°F
July Avg: 69°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 44.9"
Annual Snowfall: -772.8"

Student Demographics

Nearly 80% of students are women, reflecting the college's strength in healthcare, early childhood education, and other fields that traditionally attract female students. About 55% of students are Black and 30% are White, making this one of the more diverse community colleges in rural North Carolina. Almost half receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves students from lower-income families seeking affordable pathways to careers or four-year transfers. The entirely in-state enrollment demonstrates Edgecombe's role as a local institution serving the educational and workforce needs of eastern North Carolina communities.

Men: 20.5%
Women: 79.5%
White: 30.4%
Black: 54.7%
Hispanic: 8.1%
Asian: 0.6%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 47.0%

Location

Edgecombe Community College sits in Tarboro, North Carolina, about 75 miles east of Raleigh. The campus serves a rural region in the eastern part of the state where agriculture and small manufacturing drive the local economy. With 938 students, the college operates in a classic small-town setting where students know faculty personally. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio reflects the intimate learning environment typical of rural community colleges. Tarboro itself has a population of around 11,000 and maintains the slower pace of life common in eastern North Carolina's farming communities. The region lacks the urban amenities of Charlotte or Raleigh but offers affordable living costs. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Edgecombe Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Tarboro, North Carolina 27886

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $33,267
Median Earnings (5 years): $40,321
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $23,700
Loan Repayment Rate: 21.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $169/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $15,917

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Edgecombe Community College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Edgecombe Community College is $6,073 per year. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,748 after aid, while those from families earning $30,000-$48,000 pay $5,507. The college serves as an affordable pathway for eastern North Carolina residents seeking career training or transfer preparation.

What is the student population like at Edgecombe Community College?

Edgecombe Community College enrolls 938 students, with women making up 79.53% of the student body. The college serves a diverse community with 54.69% Black students and 30.38% White students. All students are North Carolina residents, reflecting the college's role as a local educational center in rural eastern North Carolina.

What programs is Edgecombe Community College known for?

Edgecombe Community College specializes in workforce training and transfer programs designed to meet eastern North Carolina's employment needs. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention in career-focused programs. The college maintains strong connections with local employers to ensure graduates are job-ready.

How do graduates from Edgecombe Community College perform in the job market?

Graduates achieve a 91.3% employment rate, demonstrating the college's effectiveness in career preparation. The median earnings one year after graduation are $38,286, rising to $40,321 after five years. These outcomes reflect the college's focus on practical skills training for in-demand regional careers.

Is Edgecombe Community College affordable for low-income students?

Yes, 47.02% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong support for low-income learners. In-state tuition is just $2,640, and the median debt for borrowers is $15,917 with monthly payments of $169. The college's rural setting and community focus help keep costs manageable for working-class families.

Where is Edgecombe Community College located and what is the campus setting like?

The college sits in Tarboro, North Carolina, in a rural-fringe setting that combines small-town charm with access to regional opportunities. The 57.60% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many rural community college students face balancing education with work and family responsibilities. The intimate campus environment supports close mentoring relationships between faculty and students.