About North Central Texas College
North Central Texas College trains students for the regional workforce while serving as a stepping stone to four-year universities. The college enrolls 5,703 students in Gainesville, a town about an hour north of Dallas. Known for strong workforce training programs, NCTC prepares students for careers in high-demand fields across north central Texas. The campus maintains a close-knit feel with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio.
Students pay an average net price of $6,714 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable college options in Texas. In-state tuition starts at just $2,520 before aid. Graduates earn a median of $45,809 ten years after enrollment, while carrying typical debt of $11,250. The 40.73% loan repayment rate reflects the challenges many community college students face, though monthly payments average a manageable $119.
The Lions compete in seven NJCAA sports with 100 total athletes sharing $742,677 in athletic scholarships. Women make up 58.39% of students, and the student body is 47.97% white and 27.67% Hispanic. Nearly 99% of students come from Texas. With only 134 housing spots available, most students commute from the surrounding region. The 34.60% six-year graduation rate is typical for community colleges serving working students and those transferring before completing degrees.
Students pay an average net price of $6,714 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable college options in Texas. In-state tuition starts at just $2,520 before aid. Graduates earn a median of $45,809 ten years after enrollment, while carrying typical debt of $11,250. The 40.73% loan repayment rate reflects the challenges many community college students face, though monthly payments average a manageable $119.
The Lions compete in seven NJCAA sports with 100 total athletes sharing $742,677 in athletic scholarships. Women make up 58.39% of students, and the student body is 47.97% white and 27.67% Hispanic. Nearly 99% of students come from Texas. With only 134 housing spots available, most students commute from the surrounding region. The 34.60% six-year graduation rate is typical for community colleges serving working students and those transferring before completing degrees.
Academics & Faculty
North Central Texas College serves its regional community with practical workforce training programs designed to get students into careers quickly. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio provides decent access to instructors, though the 34.6% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and education. The college emphasizes technical and vocational programs that align with local industry needs in north central Texas. Students can pursue associate degrees in fields like nursing, business, and industrial technology. Many students use NCTC as an affordable stepping stone to four-year universities, paying just $2,520 for in-state tuition. The focus remains on hands-on learning that prepares students for immediate employment in the regional job market.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 34.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $45,809
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $57,318 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $49,058 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $36,852 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $28,909 |
Campus Life
Gainesville sits about 75 miles north of Dallas, giving students access to big-city opportunities without urban chaos. With only 134 housing spots for 5,703 students, just 2% live on campus. Most students commute from surrounding north Texas towns, creating a parking lot culture where carpools and pickup trucks dominate.
The semester system keeps things moving at this workforce-focused college. Students pack hoodies for chilly January mornings but spend most of the year in t-shirts under the Texas sun. With 58% women and nearly 99% in-state students, the campus feels like an extension of the local community. Weekend life revolves around the Lions' seven NJCAA sports teams, though many students work part-time jobs or head home to family farms and ranches. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally. Study groups often meet at local coffee shops downtown, where conversations mix calculus problems with cattle prices and nursing program requirements.
The semester system keeps things moving at this workforce-focused college. Students pack hoodies for chilly January mornings but spend most of the year in t-shirts under the Texas sun. With 58% women and nearly 99% in-state students, the campus feels like an extension of the local community. Weekend life revolves around the Lions' seven NJCAA sports teams, though many students work part-time jobs or head home to family farms and ranches. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally. Study groups often meet at local coffee shops downtown, where conversations mix calculus problems with cattle prices and nursing program requirements.
- Setting
- Town-Distant
- Housing Capacity
- 134 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 31°–53°F
- July Avg
- 72°–93°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 42.7"
- Annual Snowfall
- 3.0"
Student Demographics
Women make up 58% of North Central Texas College's student body, reflecting the school's emphasis on healthcare and education programs that traditionally draw more female students. The campus serves a diverse mix of students with nearly half being white, 28% Hispanic, and 11% Black. Almost every student comes from Texas, showing the college's strong reputation among local families seeking affordable career training. One in five students receives Pell Grants, indicating the school successfully serves working-class families in north central Texas who need practical skills for immediate employment.
- Men
- 41.6%
- Women
- 58.4%
- White
- 48.0%
- Black
- 10.7%
- Hispanic
- 27.7%
- Asian
- 3.5%
- In-State Students
- 99.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 20.0%
Location
North Central Texas College sits in Gainesville, Texas, about 75 miles northwest of Dallas-Fort Worth. This town of 16,000 residents serves as the county seat of Cooke County in the rolling hills of north central Texas. The campus draws 98.98% of its 5,703 students from within Texas. Gainesville blends small-town charm with proximity to major metropolitan areas, offering students affordable living with room and board costing just $4,827 annually. The area maintains its agricultural roots while supporting growing industries that align with the college's workforce training programs. Students considering colleges in Texas may also compare North Central Texas College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Gainesville, Texas 76240-4699
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $45,809
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $50,174
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $34,100
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 40.7%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $119/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $11,250
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is admission to North Central Texas College?
North Central Texas College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students regardless of high school GPA or test scores. The college serves 5,703 students with a focus on providing accessible higher education to the north central Texas region.
What does North Central Texas College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $6,714 annually, with lower-income families paying as little as $5,747. In-state tuition starts at just $2,520, making this one of the most affordable college options in Texas.
What is the student experience like at North Central Texas College?
Classes average 19 students per instructor, providing more personal attention than many larger institutions. The campus houses 134 students in residence halls, creating a close-knit community feel despite serving nearly 6,000 total students.
How much do North Central Texas College graduates earn?
Graduates earn a median salary of $45,809 ten years after completing their programs. The college's strong workforce training programs help achieve a 92.2% employment rate for graduates entering the job market.
Where is North Central Texas College located?
The college sits in Gainesville, Texas, a town-distant setting that serves the north central region of the state. Nearly 99% of students come from in-state, reflecting the college's role as a local community anchor.
Does North Central Texas College offer athletic scholarships?
The Lions compete in seven NJCAA sports with 100 total student-athletes participating. The college awards $742,677 in athletic scholarships annually, providing opportunities for students to compete while earning their degrees.
