Pamlico Community College: $1,867 Tuition

$1,867Tuition

240Students

47%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$30,005Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Pamlico Community College

Pamlico Community College serves the fishing and farming communities of eastern North Carolina's coastal plains. This small institution enrolls just 240 students in a rural setting where personalized attention defines the educational experience. The college maintains a 4:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring every student gets direct support from instructors. Women make up 59% of the student body, while the demographics reflect the diverse rural region with 45% white students and 39% Black students. Most students come from North Carolina, with 86% classified as in-state residents.

The financial picture tells a story of affordability for working families. Students pay an average net price of $7,847 after aid, though this varies by income level. Those from families earning under $30,000 pay $7,921, while middle-income families between $48,000-$75,000 pay just $5,896. Graduates earn a median of $30,005 ten years after enrollment. Only 32% of students receive federal financial aid, suggesting many attend part-time or pay out of pocket.

The 47% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality of community college students juggling work, family, and education. These aren't traditional college-bound students but adults seeking career training and skill development in one of North Carolina's most rural regions.

Academics & Faculty

Pamlico Community College serves eastern North Carolina's rural communities with practical career training and transfer programs. The 4:1 student-faculty ratio means students get direct attention from instructors who know their names and academic goals. About 47% of students graduate within six years, which reflects the college's role serving working adults and part-time students who often take longer to complete degrees. The college focuses on workforce development programs that prepare students for local industries like agriculture, maritime trades, and healthcare support roles. Students can also complete general education requirements before transferring to four-year universities. Small class sizes make it easier for students to ask questions and get help when they struggle with coursework.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 4:1
Full-Time Faculty: 33.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 47.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $30,005

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$24,035

View all 29 programs →

Campus Life

Pamlico Community College sits in the heart of eastern North Carolina's rural coastal plain, about 90 minutes from Raleigh and two hours from the Outer Banks beaches. The 240 students experience a true small-town college atmosphere where everyone knows each other. With a 4:1 student-faculty ratio, you'll never sit in the back of a large lecture hall. The campus serves a tight-knit community where 44.58% of students are white and 38.75% are Black, reflecting the region's agricultural heritage.

Most students commute from surrounding farming communities since there are no residence halls. Winters require a light jacket, while summers mean plenty of sunscreen for the humid coastal heat. Weekend activities center around the nearby Neuse River for fishing and boating, or trips to New Bern's historic downtown. The college focuses heavily on practical career training, with programs designed to serve local industries like agriculture, healthcare, and marine trades. Students often juggle classes with work or family responsibilities, creating a mature, goal-oriented campus culture where 85.71% of students stay in-state after graduation.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 32°–55°F
July Avg: 71°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 54.9"
Annual Snowfall: 1.3"

Student Demographics

Pamlico Community College draws students from across eastern North Carolina's rural communities, with 86% coming from in-state. The student body reflects the region's demographics, with nearly equal representation between white and Black students. Women make up 59% of enrollment, likely drawn to the college's strong nursing and allied health programs. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working families seeking affordable career training. The small enrollment of 240 students creates a tight-knit community where local residents can access higher education without leaving their rural roots.

Men: 40.8%
Women: 59.2%
White: 44.6%
Black: 38.8%
Hispanic: 5.8%
Asian: 2.1%
In-State Students: 85.7%
Pell Grant Recipients: 31.9%

Location

Pamlico Community College sits in Grantsboro, North Carolina, about 90 miles southeast of Raleigh. The school serves North Carolina's Inner Banks region, where coastal plains meet estuaries and waterways. With only 240 students enrolled, the college reflects the rural character of Pamlico County, one of the state's least populated areas. The region is known for fishing, farming, and small-town communities scattered across wetlands and agricultural land. About 86% of students come from in-state, mostly from nearby coastal counties. The nearest significant town is New Bern, roughly 30 miles away. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Pamlico Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Grantsboro, North Carolina 28529

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $30,005
Median Earnings (5 years): $30,888
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $18,300

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Pamlico Community College?

Pamlico Community College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of North Carolina community colleges. With just 240 students enrolled, this small rural institution welcomes students seeking affordable higher education in eastern North Carolina's coastal region.

How much does Pamlico Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $7,847 annually at Pamlico Community College. In-state tuition runs just $1,867, making this one of the most affordable options in the state for students from families earning under $30,000 who pay around $7,921 after aid.

What is the student experience like at Pamlico Community College?

Students enjoy an intimate learning environment with a 4:1 student-faculty ratio, among the lowest in North Carolina. The college serves a diverse student body where 44.58% are white and 38.75% are African American, reflecting the demographics of the rural coastal communities it serves.

What are the job prospects for Pamlico Community College graduates?

Graduates earn a median salary of $30,005 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the college's focus on practical career training. The 47.10% six-year graduation rate aligns with the college's mission of serving working adults and first-generation college students in this rural region.

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

The college sits in Grantsboro, a small town in Pamlico County along North Carolina's Inner Banks. With 85.71% of students coming from in-state and the rural-distant setting, most students are locals balancing education with work and family commitments rather than traditional campus life.

Does Pamlico Community College offer financial aid to students?

About 32% of students receive financial aid, with the same percentage qualifying for Pell Grants. Remarkably, the federal loan rate is 0%, meaning students typically graduate debt-free from this affordable institution that serves one of North Carolina's most economically challenged regions.