Haywood Community College: $2,612 Tuition

$2,612Tuition

793Students

44%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$34,770Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Haywood Community College

Haywood Community College serves 793 students in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. This small community college focuses on career training and workforce development for the region's manufacturing, healthcare, and service industries. With a 7:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small and professors get to know each student personally. The rural setting means you won't find the distractions of a big city, but you will find hands-on learning in programs designed to get you working quickly.

The college keeps costs reasonable with in-state tuition at $2,612 per year. After financial aid, most students pay an average net price of $3,834, though families earning under $30,000 typically pay just $3,187. Graduates earn a median of $34,770 ten years after starting, which represents solid returns for a two-year investment. Only 31% of students receive federal aid, suggesting many families can afford the low sticker price without borrowing heavily.

Women make up 62% of students, reflecting the college's strong nursing and allied health programs. All students come from North Carolina, creating a tight community where everyone shares similar backgrounds and goals. The 44% graduation rate within six years is typical for community colleges, where many students attend part-time while working or transfer before completing their programs.

Academics & Faculty

Haywood Community College focuses on practical career training and transfer preparation in the foothills of western North Carolina. With a 7:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personal attention that's rare at larger schools, especially in hands-on programs like nursing, welding, and automotive technology. The college serves local industries with workforce development programs, though the 44.10% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students attend part-time while working or take breaks between semesters. About 62% of students are women, many pursuing healthcare certifications or completing prerequisites before transferring to four-year universities. Small class sizes mean professors know students by name and can adapt coursework to individual career goals.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Full-Time Faculty: 25.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 44.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $34,770

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$51,690
Forestry.	Associate	$31,848
Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management.	Associate	$26,739
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$26,353
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$25,967
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	Associate	$22,681
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$21,052

View all 45 programs →

Campus Life

Haywood Community College sits in the small mountain town of Clyde, about 30 minutes west of Asheville. With just 793 students and a 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you'll know your professors by name and they'll notice if you skip class. The campus feels more like an extended family than a big institution. Most students commute from nearby towns in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so parking fills up by 8 AM and empties by mid-afternoon.

The mountain location means you'll need a good winter coat for January classes, but spring and fall are perfect for studying outside. Students here are practical people who often work part-time jobs while earning certificates or associate degrees. With 62% of students being women, many are returning to school after raising families or changing careers. Weekends aren't about campus parties since few students live nearby. Instead, people head to family obligations, part-time jobs, or outdoor activities like hiking the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. The campus shuts down pretty completely on weekends, reflecting its role as a commuter school serving working adults.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Domestic Violence	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 23°–46°F
July Avg: 60°–81°F
Annual Precipitation: 50.2"
Annual Snowfall: 10.9"

Student Demographics

Haywood Community College draws students from across western North Carolina who want practical training close to home. The student body is 62% women, reflecting strong programs in health sciences and education that typically attract more female students. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families in the Appalachian region who need affordable career preparation. Most students are white, which mirrors the rural mountain communities the college serves. These are often first-generation college students looking for direct pathways to jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, and other local industries.

Men: 38.0%
Women: 62.0%
White: 79.3%
Black: 5.7%
Hispanic: 7.6%
Asian: 0.6%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 31.0%

Location

Haywood Community College sits in Clyde, North Carolina, a small town about 30 miles west of Asheville in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 793 students attend classes in a rural setting where the Great Smoky Mountains National Park borders the county. This mountain region draws outdoor enthusiasts and retirees, creating a mix of Appalachian culture and tourism. Clyde itself has fewer than 1,300 residents, so students experience true small-town life surrounded by hiking trails, craft breweries, and scenic mountain views. The campus serves as an educational center for several rural counties where job opportunities often center on healthcare, manufacturing, and tourism. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Haywood Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Clyde, North Carolina 28721-9901

Haywood Community College campus in Clyde, North Carolina 06

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $34,770
Median Earnings (5 years): $36,246
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $23,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 34.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Haywood Community College?

Haywood Community College maintains an open-door admission policy typical of North Carolina community colleges. With 793 students enrolled, the college serves the rural mountain communities around Clyde by accepting all students with a high school diploma or equivalent.

How much does Haywood Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $3,834 annually at Haywood Community College. In-state tuition runs $2,612 while out-of-state students pay $8,756, though the college draws 100% of its student body from North Carolina.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Haywood Community College?

Haywood Community College offers small class sizes with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. The college emphasizes hands-on learning in technical programs and workforce training that serve the region's manufacturing and healthcare industries.

What are the job prospects for Haywood Community College graduates?

Graduates achieve a 91.4% employment rate within six years of completion. The median earnings of $34,770 ten years after enrollment reflect the college's focus on practical skills training for regional employers.

Where is Haywood Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in the rural-fringe setting of Clyde, North Carolina, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. With 62% of the 793 students being women, the Bobcats create a close-knit community atmosphere typical of small mountain colleges.

Does Haywood Community College have strong completion rates?

The college posts a 44.1% six-year graduation rate, which is competitive for rural community colleges. Many students attend part-time while working, as evidenced by the college's role in serving the workforce development needs of western North Carolina's manufacturing sector.