Nash Community College: $2,883 Tuition

$2,883Tuition

1,422Students

53%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$34,912Earnings

#20 in North CarolinaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Nash Community College

Nash Community College builds careers through hands-on training programs and college transfer pathways in eastern North Carolina. The college enrolls 1,422 students in a rural-fringe setting near Rocky Mount. Students choose from workforce development programs designed to meet regional employer needs or complete their first two years before transferring to four-year universities.

The numbers work in students' favor here. After financial aid, students pay an average of $4,477 per year to attend. Graduates earn a median of $34,912 ten years after starting their programs. Those who borrow money graduate with $11,500 in debt and make monthly payments of $122. The employment rate hits 94.1% for graduates who enter the workforce directly.

Women make up nearly 63% of the student body at this diverse campus. The college serves a racially mixed population with 46% white students, 35% Black students, and 11% Hispanic students. Almost every student comes from North Carolina, with 99.6% holding in-state residency. The Nighthawks compete in athletics while maintaining a 20:1 student-faculty ratio. About half of all students complete their programs within six years.

Academics & Faculty

Nash Community College focuses on workforce development and transfer preparation for eastern North Carolina students. The college offers career training programs in high-demand fields like nursing, automotive technology, and welding that directly connect to regional job opportunities. With a 20:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive more individualized attention than at larger universities. The 52.5% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face while balancing work and family responsibilities. Nash serves as a stepping stone for students planning to transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce immediately. The college's semester system allows flexibility for working adults seeking career advancement or career changes.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 20:1
Full-Time Faculty: 37.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 52.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $34,912

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$55,964
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers.	Certificate	$43,575
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$41,937
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$32,925
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$27,536
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$24,808

View all 63 programs →

Campus Life

Nash Community College sits in Rocky Mount, about an hour east of Raleigh in North Carolina's Tar River valley. Women make up 62.94% of the student body, reflecting the college's strong nursing and healthcare programs that draw many female students. The campus serves a commuter population with no residence halls, so students drive in from surrounding Nash County towns and head home after classes.

With 99.56% in-state enrollment, most Nighthawks know each other from local high schools or work connections. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means professors recognize faces in the hallways between the main academic buildings. Rocky Mount's humid subtropical climate requires both winter jackets for January lows in the 30s and plenty of air conditioning for summer highs near 90 degrees. Students often grab lunch at nearby Bojangles or study in the library between morning classes and afternoon work shifts. Weekend social life happens off-campus at Lake Wilson or downtown Rocky Mount, though many students balance coursework with jobs and family responsibilities that keep them busy throughout the week.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1967

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 30°–51°F
July Avg: 69°–90°F
Annual Precipitation: 44.4"
Annual Snowfall: 0.7"

Student Demographics

Nash Community College draws students primarily from eastern North Carolina's working-class communities. Nearly all students come from in-state, reflecting the college's deep roots in the Rocky Mount region. The student body is predominantly female, typical of community colleges that emphasize healthcare and human services training. The college serves a racially diverse population that mirrors the changing demographics of rural North Carolina. About three in ten students receive Pell Grants, showing Nash's role as an affordable pathway for first-generation college students seeking career credentials or university transfer preparation.

Men: 37.1%
Women: 62.9%
White: 45.8%
Black: 35.0%
Hispanic: 11.5%
Asian: 0.9%
In-State Students: 99.6%
Pell Grant Recipients: 29.3%

Location

Nash Community College sits in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, about 55 miles northeast of Raleigh. The town of 54,000 serves as a regional center for eastern North Carolina's rural communities. Rocky Mount blends small-town charm with modest industrial heritage, anchored by textile and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The area features rolling farmland dotted with tobacco fields and pine forests typical of the coastal plain region. With 99.56% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from surrounding Nash and Edgecombe counties. The rural-fringe setting offers affordable living costs that complement the college's low tuition rates. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Nash Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $34,912
Median Earnings (5 years): $42,817
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,100
Loan Repayment Rate: 21.9%
Monthly Loan Payment: $122/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $11,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Nash Community College?

Nash Community College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students who have completed high school or earned a GED. With 99.56% of students coming from North Carolina, the college primarily serves local residents in the Rocky Mount area. The school focuses on providing accessible education rather than selective admissions.

How much does Nash Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $4,477 after financial aid, with in-state tuition starting at $2,883 annually. About 29% of students receive Pell Grants, and those from families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,060 net. The college keeps costs low to serve working-class families in eastern North Carolina.

What academic programs is Nash Community College known for?

Nash Community College offers career training programs and college transfer pathways with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio. The college has built a reputation for practical workforce development in rural North Carolina since 1967. Women make up 63% of the 1,422 students, reflecting strong enrollment in health sciences and other growing fields.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Nash Community College?

Graduates achieve a 94.1% employment rate with median earnings of $34,912 after ten years. The college's focus on career training helps students enter the workforce quickly in eastern North Carolina's economy. With a 53% six-year graduation rate, many students complete programs and find stable employment in the region.

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

The college sits in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, in a rural-fringe setting that serves the surrounding agricultural and industrial region. As a commuter campus with the Nighthawks as their mascot, student life centers around academic programs rather than traditional college activities. The diverse student body includes 46% white students, 35% Black students, and 11% Hispanic students.

How manageable is student debt at Nash Community College?

Students graduate with a median debt of just $11,500 and monthly loan payments of $122. Only 5% of students take federal loans, keeping debt levels remarkably low compared to four-year institutions. The combination of affordable tuition and strong job placement makes Nash Community College a smart financial choice for career training.