Richmond Community College: $2,552 Tuition

$2,552Tuition

1,279Students

41%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$29,951Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Richmond Community College

Richmond Community College serves the small town of Hamlet and surrounding rural communities in North Carolina. The college enrolls 1,279 students and focuses on workforce development and transfer preparation. Nearly all students (99.32%) come from North Carolina, creating a tight-knit campus where everyone knows each other. The Panthers compete in athletics while maintaining a 13:1 student-faculty ratio that ensures personal attention.

The financial picture makes sense for working-class families. Students pay an average net price of $6,042 after aid, with in-state tuition starting at just $2,552. Only 30.57% of students receive federal financial aid, suggesting many can afford college without borrowing heavily. Graduates earn a median of $29,951 ten years after starting, which may seem modest but reflects the rural job market and the fact that many use RCC as a stepping stone to four-year degrees.

Women make up nearly three-quarters (72.63%) of the student body, typical for community colleges where many students pursue healthcare and education programs. The college maintains a strong 91.3% employment rate for graduates. With a 40.90% six-year graduation rate, RCC succeeds with students who often juggle work and family responsibilities while earning their degrees.

Academics & Faculty

Richmond Community College serves a diverse student body with 1,279 students across practical career programs. Nearly three-quarters of students are women, reflecting the school's strength in healthcare and human services training. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personal attention in small classes. Students can pursue certificates and associate degrees in nursing, medical assisting, and automotive technology. The college also offers strong workforce development programs tied to local industry needs. However, the 40.90% six-year graduation rate suggests many students face challenges completing their programs. The Panthers compete athletically while maintaining focus on career preparation. Richmond emphasizes hands-on learning in labs and clinical settings to prepare graduates for immediate employment in North Carolina's job market.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Faculty: 55.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 40.9%
Median Earnings (10 years): $29,951

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers.	Associate	$67,660
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$54,646
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$25,774
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$25,194
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$25,194
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$22,329
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$21,508
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$20,960
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.	Associate	$16,786

View all 37 programs →

Campus Life

Nearly three-quarters of Richmond Community College's 1,279 students are women, creating a campus culture focused on healthcare and education programs that draw this demographic. The college sits in Hamlet, North Carolina, about 90 miles southeast of Charlotte, where students experience humid summers requiring plenty of sunscreen and mild winters with occasional frost.

As a commuter campus with no dormitories, 99% of students live locally and drive to classes. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means small classrooms where professors know your name. Students often gather in the student center between classes, but weekends typically mean heading home or working part-time jobs. The Panthers don't field traditional sports teams, so school spirit centers around nursing pinning ceremonies and graduation celebrations.

The semester system allows students to balance coursework with family and work responsibilities that many community college students juggle. With 91% of graduates finding employment, students here are practical about their goals. The rural setting offers quiet study spaces and affordable living, though entertainment options require a drive to larger towns like Rockingham or Laurinburg.

Setting: Town-Distant
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 29°–53°F
July Avg: 69°–91°F
Annual Precipitation: 48.0"
Annual Snowfall: 0.7"

Student Demographics

Richmond Community College draws students from across rural North Carolina, with nearly all coming from in-state. Women make up nearly three-quarters of the student body, reflecting the school's strong nursing and health science programs that dominate the campus. The student population is fairly diverse, with white and Black students forming the largest groups. About one in three students receives Pell Grants, showing the college serves working families seeking affordable career training. The Panthers attract older students returning to school and recent high school graduates looking for practical job skills in a small-town setting.

Men: 27.4%
Women: 72.6%
White: 40.3%
Black: 33.2%
Hispanic: 6.4%
Asian: 0.5%
In-State Students: 99.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 30.6%

Location

Richmond Community College sits in Hamlet, North Carolina, a small town about 75 miles southeast of Charlotte. The campus serves a rural region in Richmond County where agriculture and manufacturing drive the local economy. Nearly all students (99.32%) come from in-state, reflecting the college's deep roots in this tight-knit community. The town-distant setting means students experience small-town life while still having access to urban opportunities within driving distance. Hamlet's historic railroad heritage shapes much of the area's character, with the town once serving as a major rail junction. The surrounding countryside features rolling farmland and pine forests typical of the Carolina Sandhills region. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Richmond Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Hamlet, North Carolina 28345-1189

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $29,951
Median Earnings (5 years): $36,391
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $23,700

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Richmond Community College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Richmond Community College is $6,042 per year. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay around $5,485 annually. In-state tuition starts at just $2,552, making this one of the most affordable higher education options in North Carolina.

What is the student body like at Richmond Community College?

Richmond Community College enrolls 1,279 students, with women making up 72.63% of the student body. The campus serves a diverse population that is 40.27% white and 33.15% Black. Nearly all students (99.32%) come from North Carolina, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Richmond Community College?

About 40.90% of students complete their programs within six years at Richmond Community College. Graduates find strong job prospects with a 91.3% employment rate. The college focuses on career-ready programs that prepare students for immediate workforce entry in rural North Carolina.

How much do Richmond Community College graduates earn?

Recent Richmond Community College graduates earn a median of $36,661 one year after graduation. Five-year median earnings reach $36,391, reflecting the college's emphasis on practical, job-focused training. The school excels at preparing students for stable careers in healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades.

What is the academic environment like at Richmond Community College?

Richmond Community College maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention in small classes. The college operates on a semester system and focuses heavily on hands-on learning. Students benefit from close relationships with instructors who often have real-world industry experience.

Where is Richmond Community College located and what makes it unique?

Richmond Community College sits in Hamlet, North Carolina, a small town that offers an intimate learning environment. Only 30.57% of students receive Pell grants, indicating a mix of economic backgrounds in this rural community. The Panthers compete in athletics while the college serves as an educational anchor for the surrounding agricultural region.