Luzerne County Community College: $6,450 Tuition

$6,450Tuition

3,241Students

21%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$40,437Earnings

Public2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About Luzerne County Community College

The Trailblazers serve a tight-knit community where practical career training takes priority over campus traditions. This public two-year college enrolls 3,241 students in suburban Nanticoke, focusing on workforce preparation and transfer pathways. Nearly all students (99.41%) come from Pennsylvania, creating a distinctly local atmosphere where classrooms connect directly to regional employers.

Students typically pay $10,228 after financial aid, though families earning under $30,000 pay just $8,623. Graduates earn a median of $40,437 ten years later, making the investment reasonable for most career programs. The median debt load of $11,000 translates to monthly payments of only $117. About 35% of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the school's role serving working-class families in northeastern Pennsylvania.

The student body skews heavily female at 67.39%, typical for community colleges emphasizing healthcare and human services programs. With just three varsity sports and 27 total athletes, campus life revolves around academics rather than athletics. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention, while the 95.7% employment rate shows strong connections to local job markets. However, the 21.40% six-year graduation rate suggests many students face challenges completing their programs.

Academics & Faculty

Luzerne County Community College serves as a practical stepping stone for students seeking affordable career training and transfer preparation. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio provides personal attention that many students need to succeed in their academic journey. However, the 21% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face, including working while enrolled and family obligations. The college offers traditional associate degree programs alongside workforce development training that connects directly to local job markets in northeastern Pennsylvania. With 67% of students being women, the college attracts many non-traditional students returning to education. Nearly all students come from Pennsylvania, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 36.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 21.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $40,437

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Nuclear Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$63,005
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$62,674
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$50,856
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Associate	$35,594
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology.	Associate	$33,993
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR).	Associate	$33,993
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$30,119
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$29,685
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers.	Associate	$28,960
Business/Commerce, General.	Associate	$25,484

View all 83 programs →

Campus Life

This northeastern Pennsylvania community college sits in the Wyoming Valley, about 15 minutes from Wilkes-Barre and an hour from Scranton. Winter coats are essential here, where snow blankets the campus from December through March and temperatures regularly drop below freezing. The 3,241 students are overwhelmingly local, with 99.41% coming from Pennsylvania.

As a commuter school, campus life revolves around class schedules rather than weekend activities. Women make up 67.39% of enrollment, reflecting the strong nursing and health sciences programs that draw many career-changing adults. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally, especially important since many juggle work and family responsibilities alongside coursework. The Trailblazers field just 3 varsity teams with 27 total athletes, so school spirit centers more on academic achievements than athletics. Students often spend weekends working at local jobs or with family rather than on campus. The surrounding area offers outdoor recreation in the Pocono Mountains and historic sites related to the region's coal mining heritage.

Setting: Suburb-Large
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1967

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 15°–31°F
July Avg: 58°–78°F
Annual Precipitation: 48.8"
Annual Snowfall: 35.6"

Student Demographics

Luzerne County Community College draws almost entirely from Pennsylvania, with 99% of students coming from in-state. Women make up two-thirds of the enrollment, reflecting the school's strong programs in nursing, education, and healthcare fields that traditionally attract more female students. Over one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves as an affordable pathway for working-class families in northeastern Pennsylvania's former coal mining region. The diverse student body includes significant Hispanic representation at 22%, making it more multicultural than many rural Pennsylvania institutions.

Men: 32.6%
Women: 67.4%
White: 49.8%
Black: 8.6%
Hispanic: 22.2%
Asian: 1.8%
In-State Students: 99.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 35.4%

Location

This two-year college sits in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles southwest of Scranton in the heart of the Wyoming Valley. The area reflects northeastern Pennsylvania's post-industrial character, with former coal mining communities now transitioning to healthcare, education, and service industries. With 99.41% of students coming from in-state, the college serves as a local educational anchor in this suburban region of roughly 10,000 residents. The Wyoming Valley offers affordable living costs and easy access to both Philadelphia and New York City within a few hours' drive. Students considering colleges in Pennsylvania may also compare Luzerne County Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Nanticoke, Pennsylvania 18634

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $40,437
Median Earnings (5 years): $45,009
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $29,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 50.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $117/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $11,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Luzerne County Community College?

As a community college, Luzerne County Community College maintains an open enrollment policy for students with high school diplomas or equivalent. The school serves 3,241 students across its suburban campus in Nanticoke. Nearly all students come from Pennsylvania, with 99.41% being in-state residents.

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

Students pay an average net price of $10,228 after aid, though this varies by income level. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $8,623 on average. The college keeps costs manageable with in-state tuition at $6,450 and graduates carrying a median debt of only $11,000.

What academic programs is Luzerne County Community College known for?

The college maintains a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, providing personalized attention in career-focused programs. Students typically complete their programs on a semester calendar system. The school has built a reputation for workforce development and transfer preparation since its founding in 1967.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Luzerne County Community College?

Graduates achieve a strong 95.7% employment rate, reflecting the college's focus on practical career training. Ten years after graduation, median earnings reach $40,437. However, only 21.40% of students complete their programs within six years, which is typical for community colleges serving working adults.

What is the student body like at Luzerne County Community College?

Women make up 67.39% of the student body, reflecting trends in community college enrollment. The campus is ethnically diverse with 49.83% White students, 22.22% Hispanic students, and 8.58% Black students. About 35.43% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating significant numbers from lower-income backgrounds.

Does Luzerne County Community College have athletics?

The Trailblazers compete in the NCCAA with just 3 varsity sports programs. Only 27 students participate in athletics across all sports, making it a small but tight-knit athletic community. The college offers no athletic scholarships, focusing instead on academic affordability for all students.