Piedmont Community College: $2,556 Tuition

$2,556Tuition

707Students

42%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$33,274Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Piedmont Community College

Piedmont Community College serves the tobacco farming communities and small towns of north-central North Carolina with practical career training and college transfer options. The school enrolls 707 students in a rural setting where students can focus on their studies without big-city distractions. Faculty work closely with students in small classes that average 12 students per instructor. The college emphasizes hands-on learning in programs like nursing, welding, and business administration that directly connect to local job markets.

Students pay an average net price of $5,215 after financial aid, making this one of the most affordable paths to higher education in the state. In-state tuition runs just $2,556 per year. Graduates earn a median of $33,274 ten years after enrollment, which provides solid returns on the modest investment. Only 28.61% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many families can afford college without significant federal aid. The low debt burden helps graduates start their careers on stable financial ground.

Women make up two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the college's strength in healthcare and education programs. Nearly all students come from North Carolina, creating a tight-knit community feel. The 88.4% employment rate shows that local employers value the practical skills students develop here.

Academics & Faculty

Piedmont Community College focuses on workforce development and transfer preparation for students in rural North Carolina. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio provides personalized attention in small classes. About 42% of students complete their programs within six years. The college emphasizes practical career training in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and business administration. Many students use Piedmont as an affordable stepping stone to four-year universities. Others pursue certificate programs designed to quickly prepare them for local jobs. The curriculum balances academic transfer courses with hands-on technical training. Faculty often have industry experience alongside teaching credentials. Students can complete associate degrees or earn workforce credentials in high-demand fields.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Full-Time Faculty: 45.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 41.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $33,274

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$57,318
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$27,397
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$21,964
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$18,771

View all 44 programs →

Campus Life

Piedmont Community College sits in Roxboro, about 45 minutes north of Durham and an hour from Raleigh. The rural setting means you'll need a car to get around, though 99% of students are from North Carolina anyway. Women make up 66% of enrollment, creating a supportive atmosphere in programs like nursing and early childhood education. The 12:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name.

Campus life revolves around career preparation rather than traditional college social scenes. Most students commute to the 707-person college, balancing classes with work or family responsibilities. Winters require a jacket but rarely heavy coats, while summers mean air conditioning breaks between classes. The Pacers don't dominate weekend conversations since there's no dormitory culture. Instead, students often study together in small groups or grab coffee in nearby downtown Roxboro. With 88% of graduates finding employment, the focus stays practical. Weekend activities typically happen back home rather than on campus, reflecting the commuter college reality.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1970

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 25°–48°F
July Avg: 65°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 45.4"
Annual Snowfall: -771.3"

Student Demographics

Two-thirds of students at Piedmont Community College are women, reflecting the school's strong nursing and healthcare programs that draw from across Person County and surrounding rural areas. Nearly all 707 students come from North Carolina, showing the college's deep roots in serving its local community. The student body is racially diverse for rural North Carolina, with 30% Black students and 57% white students. About 29% receive Pell Grants, indicating the college fulfills its mission of providing affordable education to working-class families in this tobacco farming region.

Men: 33.7%
Women: 66.3%
White: 56.6%
Black: 29.8%
Hispanic: 7.1%
Asian: 0.6%
In-State Students: 99.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 28.6%

Location

Roxboro sits in north-central North Carolina, about 45 minutes north of Durham and the Research Triangle. The town of roughly 8,500 people anchors Person County in the rural Piedmont region. With 99.21% of students coming from in-state, the college draws heavily from surrounding farming communities and small towns. The campus serves as an educational center for an area known for tobacco farming and textile history. Hyco Lake nearby offers recreation opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The rural-fringe setting means students get small-town atmosphere while remaining within driving distance of major employment centers in the Triangle area. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Piedmont Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Roxboro, North Carolina 27573

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $33,274
Median Earnings (5 years): $34,379
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $23,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 26.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Piedmont Community College?

Piedmont Community College maintains an open-door admission policy typical of North Carolina community colleges, welcoming students with high school diplomas or equivalents. The college serves 707 students in rural Roxboro with a focus on accessible higher education. Nearly all students are North Carolina residents at 99.21%, reflecting the school's mission to serve the local community.

How much does Piedmont Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $5,215 annually after aid, making it highly affordable for working families. In-state tuition runs just $2,556 per year, while only 28.61% of students receive federal financial aid. Low-income students earning under $30,000 pay around $5,236 after grants and aid.

What academic programs is Piedmont Community College known for?

The college offers career training and college transfer programs with a student-faculty ratio of 12:1 for personalized attention. Students can complete associate degrees on a semester calendar system. The school specializes in workforce development for rural north-central North Carolina's economy.

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

Graduates achieve an 88.4% employment rate, demonstrating strong workforce preparation. Median earnings reach $33,274 ten years after enrollment, though the six-year graduation rate stands at 41.7%. The college's focus on practical skills training helps students enter the regional job market quickly.

What is campus life like at Piedmont Community College?

The rural-fringe setting creates an intimate campus atmosphere with 707 total students. Women make up 66.34% of enrollment while men represent 33.66%. The student body is 56.58% white and 29.84% Black, reflecting the demographics of rural North Carolina.

How does Piedmont Community College serve its local community?

Founded in 1970, the college has deep roots in Roxboro and surrounding Person County. With 99.21% in-state enrollment, it functions as a true community institution. The Pacers athletic teams and local partnerships strengthen connections between the college and rural north-central North Carolina residents.