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$2,592Tuition
761Students
39%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$29,307Earnings
Public2-yearStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About James Sprunt Community College

James Sprunt Community College serves 761 students in the agricultural heartland of southeastern North Carolina. The college has deep roots in this farming community, having opened in 1960 to provide practical education for local residents. Nearly 98% of students come from within North Carolina, reflecting the school's role as a hometown institution. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention in a rural setting where agriculture and healthcare programs prepare students for local career opportunities.

Students pay an average net price of $3,852 after financial aid, making this one of the most affordable college options in the state. Graduates earn a median of $29,307 ten years after starting, which represents solid returns for many practical career programs. Only 38% of students receive financial aid, suggesting many can afford the low $2,592 in-state tuition without borrowing. The 83.9% employment rate shows graduates find work, though the 20% loan repayment rate indicates some struggle with debt.

Women make up 71% of the student body, typical for community colleges with strong healthcare and social service programs. The diverse student population is 42% white, 29% Black, and 23% Hispanic. The 39% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working students face completing degrees while managing family and job responsibilities.

Academics & Faculty

James Sprunt serves the agricultural heart of North Carolina with programs tailored to rural and agricultural careers. The 9:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student by name and can provide hands-on guidance in small classes. This community college specializes in agricultural technology, nursing, and workforce development programs that connect directly to local employers. Women make up 71% of students, reflecting strong enrollment in the nursing and early childhood education programs. The 39% graduation rate is typical for rural community colleges where many students attend part-time while working. Students often transfer to NC State or East Carolina University after completing their associate degrees.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
9:1
Full-Time Faculty
17.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
38.9%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$29,307

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $54,435
Criminal Justice and Corrections. Certificate $32,925
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $21,312
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Associate $17,310

View all 31 programs →

Campus Life

James Sprunt sits in rural Duplin County, about 70 miles southeast of Raleigh and 50 miles from Wilmington's beaches. With just 761 students, you'll recognize faces across the small campus. Women make up 71% of enrollment, creating a female-majority environment. The student-faculty ratio of 9:1 means professors know your name and academic goals.

Nearly 98% of students come from North Carolina, giving the campus a tight-knit, local feel. Most students commute from surrounding farming communities rather than living on campus. The rural setting means weekend entertainment often centers around regional events, trips to nearby towns, or outdoor activities in eastern North Carolina's flat, agricultural landscape. You'll need light jackets for mild winters but should prepare for hot, humid summers typical of the coastal plain. The 84% employment rate reflects strong connections to local agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. Many students balance classes with work or family obligations, creating a practical, goal-oriented campus atmosphere focused on career preparation rather than traditional college social life.
Setting
Rural-Distant
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available
Founded
1960

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg
29°–51°F
July Avg
67°–88°F
Annual Precipitation
52.0"
Annual Snowfall
2.0"

Student Demographics

James Sprunt draws students from across eastern North Carolina, with nearly 98% coming from in-state. The college serves a diverse rural community where women outnumber men more than two to one, reflecting strong programs in healthcare and human services that traditionally attract female students. About four in ten students receive Pell Grants, showing the school's commitment to serving working-class families in Duplin County and surrounding areas. The student body represents the changing demographics of rural North Carolina, with significant representation from Black and Hispanic communities alongside white students.
Men
29.2%
Women
70.8%
White
41.9%
Black
29.0%
Hispanic
23.3%
Asian
0.3%
In-State Students
97.8%
Pell Grant Recipients
38.3%

Location

James Sprunt Community College sits in Kenansville, North Carolina, a small town about 60 miles southeast of Raleigh. The campus serves a rural region known for agriculture and small-town values. Nearly 98% of students come from in-state, reflecting the college's deep roots in the local community. The area is characterized by farmland, small businesses, and a slower pace of life compared to North Carolina's urban centers. Kenansville itself has fewer than 1,000 residents, making the college a significant presence in the town. The rural-distant setting means students experience true small-town college life with close faculty relationships. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare James Sprunt Community College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Kenansville, North Carolina 28349
JamesSpruntCommunityCollege
JamesSpruntCommunityCollege

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years)
$29,307
Median Earnings (5 years)
$34,098
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$24,800
Loan Repayment Rate
20.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at James Sprunt Community College?

James Sprunt Community College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The small student body of 761 creates an intimate learning environment where faculty can provide individualized attention. Nearly 98% of students come from North Carolina, reflecting the college's role as a local educational anchor.

How much does James Sprunt Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $3,852 annually, making it one of the most affordable higher education options in North Carolina. In-state tuition runs $2,592 while out-of-state students pay $8,736. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to just $2,336 thanks to financial aid programs.

What is the student-faculty ratio at James Sprunt Community College?

The college maintains a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized instruction and mentoring opportunities. This small class environment allows professors to know students by name and provide hands-on guidance. The rural setting in Kenansville reinforces the close-knit academic community atmosphere.

What are the employment outcomes for James Sprunt Community College graduates?

Graduates achieve an 83.9% employment rate, reflecting the college's focus on career-ready programs that meet regional workforce needs. Ten years after enrollment, median earnings reach $29,307, demonstrating solid returns for the affordable investment. The college has served eastern North Carolina's agricultural and industrial communities since 1960.

What is campus life like at James Sprunt Community College?

The rural campus serves a diverse student body that is 70.83% women and includes significant representation from Black (29%) and Hispanic (23%) communities. Students compete as the Spartans in athletic programs that bring school spirit to the small campus. The intimate size of 761 students creates opportunities for leadership and involvement that larger institutions cannot match.

Does James Sprunt Community College offer good value for agricultural programs?

The college has deep roots in North Carolina's agricultural heartland, having opened in 1960 to serve farming communities in Duplin County and surrounding areas. With exceptionally low debt loads reflected in a 20.14% loan repayment rate, students can pursue agricultural and technical training without crushing financial burdens. The rural location provides authentic hands-on learning opportunities in farming, agribusiness, and related fields.