North Country Community College: $6,562 Tuition

$6,562Tuition

762Students

25%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,276Earnings

Public2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About North Country Community College

North Country Community College draws 762 students to the Adirondack Mountains for hands-on learning in a tight-knit environment. The college specializes in outdoor recreation, forestry, and criminal justice programs that take advantage of its remote wilderness setting. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, professors know students by name and often incorporate the surrounding forest and lakes into coursework. The Saints compete in four NCCAA sports with 64 total athletes representing this small mountain community.

Students pay an average net price of $11,690 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable options in New York. Graduates earn a median of $38,276 ten years after starting college, while carrying just $12,000 in debt. The monthly loan payment of $127 is manageable given the employment rate of 80.4%. However, only 25.4% of students complete their degree within six years, which prospective students should consider carefully.

Women make up 62.3% of the student body, and nearly 94% come from within New York State. Campus housing accommodates just 98 students, so most live off-campus in the surrounding Saranac Lake area. The remote town setting appeals to students seeking outdoor adventures but may feel isolating for those preferring urban amenities.

Academics & Faculty

North Country Community College serves the Adirondack region with practical, career-focused programs that prepare students for immediate employment or transfer to four-year schools. The college emphasizes hands-on learning in fields like nursing, criminal justice, and outdoor recreation management, taking advantage of its location in the heart of New York's wilderness. With a 12:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention from instructors who often have real-world experience in their fields. However, the 25% graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work, family, and education. The college's forestry and environmental programs draw students who want to combine classroom learning with outdoor fieldwork in the surrounding mountains and lakes.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 100.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 25.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,276

Campus Life

Students at North Country Community College navigate daily life in the heart of the Adirondacks, where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing and snow blankets the campus from November through March. With only 98 housing spots for 762 students, just 13% live on campus, creating a largely commuter experience. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students by name in small classrooms scattered across the modest campus.

Saranac Lake sits roughly three hours from Albany and four hours from New York City, making this one of the more isolated college experiences in the state. Weekend activities revolve around outdoor recreation, with hiking, skiing, and lake activities drawing students who embrace the remote mountain setting. The Saints compete in just 4 varsity sports with 64 total athletes, reflecting the college's small scale. Women outnumber men 62% to 37%, and nearly 94% of students come from New York state. Most students work part-time jobs in town to supplement their studies, contributing to the 80% employment rate.

Setting: Town-Remote
Housing Capacity: 98 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1967

Campus Safety (2023)

4 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Dating Violence	2	2	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 1°–25°F
July Avg: 51°–75°F
Annual Precipitation: 37.5"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

North Country Community College draws students from across New York's Adirondack region, with 94% coming from in-state. The school has built a strong local reputation serving rural communities in the North Country. Women make up 62% of the student body, reflecting the college's emphasis on healthcare and human services programs that traditionally attract more female students. The Saints serve a predominantly white student population that mirrors the demographics of upstate New York's remote mountain communities. About 28% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves many first-generation and working-class families seeking affordable career training.

Men: 37.7%
Women: 62.3%
White: 70.2%
Black: 6.2%
Hispanic: 2.2%
Asian: 0.3%
In-State Students: 93.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 28.0%

Location

Saranac Lake sits in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, roughly 150 miles north of Albany. The town of 5,000 residents surrounds one of the region's pristine lakes, making it a gateway to outdoor recreation year-round. North Country Community College draws heavily from local areas, with 93.86% of its 762 students coming from New York state. The remote mountain setting means limited nightlife but abundant hiking, skiing, and water sports just outside campus doors. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero, creating ideal conditions for the region's famous winter sports culture. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare North Country Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Saranac Lake, New York 12983-0089

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $38,276
Median Earnings (5 years): $36,889
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $28,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 49.8%
Monthly Loan Payment: $127/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $12,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the enrollment size at North Country Community College?

North Country Community College serves 762 students in the heart of the Adirondacks. This small student body creates an intimate learning environment where you'll get to know your classmates and professors personally.

How much does North Country Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $11,690 after financial aid. The college keeps costs manageable for working-class families, with students from households earning under $30,000 paying just $8,541 per year.

What is the student-faculty ratio at North Country Community College?

The student-faculty ratio is 12:1, ensuring small class sizes and personal attention. This community college focuses on hands-on learning and practical skills training for students entering the workforce or transferring to four-year schools.

What are the employment outcomes for North Country Community College graduates?

The employment rate reaches 80.4% for graduates, reflecting the college's emphasis on career preparation. However, the median earnings of $38,276 after 10 years show the typical earning potential for community college graduates in rural upstate New York.

Where is North Country Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Saranac Lake, a remote town in the Adirondack Mountains where 93.86% of students come from New York State. With only 98 students living on campus, most commute from the surrounding rural communities.

Does North Country Community College offer athletic scholarships?

The Saints compete in the NCCAA with 64 total athletes across 4 varsity sports, but the college awards $0 in athletic scholarships. Student-athletes here play for the love of the game while focusing on their academic and career goals.