Stanly Community College: $2,672 Tuition

$2,672Tuition

1,430Students

72%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,686Earnings

#8 in North CarolinaPublic2-yearStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Stanly Community College

Stanly Community College serves as the primary higher education center for residents of rural North Carolina's Stanly County. The college enrolls 1,430 students and focuses heavily on career training programs that prepare graduates for immediate employment in the region. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention in programs ranging from nursing and manufacturing to business administration. Nearly all students (99.53%) come from within North Carolina, reflecting the college's role as a local workforce development engine.

Students typically pay $4,215 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable pathways to career training in the state. Graduates earn a median of $36,686 ten years after completion, representing solid returns on their educational investment. Only 31.31% of students require financial aid, suggesting many can afford the low sticker price without borrowing. The college reports a 96.5% employment rate for graduates, indicating strong job placement success.

Women make up 75.52% of the student body, reflecting the college's strength in healthcare and education programs that traditionally attract female students. The campus maintains a practical, no-frills approach focused on getting students into careers quickly rather than traditional college experiences.

Academics & Faculty

Stanly Community College serves as a regional workforce development center with deep ties to local manufacturing and healthcare industries. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention in career-focused programs. About 72% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting strong support systems for working adults and career changers. The college emphasizes hands-on training in high-demand fields like nursing, welding, and automotive technology. Transfer pathways to four-year universities remain popular, particularly for students seeking affordable general education credits. Women make up 76% of enrollment, largely due to strong nursing and healthcare programs. Most graduates find employment quickly, with a 96.5% job placement rate.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 20.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 71.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,686

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$51,392
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$48,041
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Certificate	$43,426
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Certificate	$28,236
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$27,552
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$25,194
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$18,771

View all 46 programs →

Campus Life

Stanly Community College sits in Albemarle, a small North Carolina town about 45 miles northeast of Charlotte. With 1,430 students spread across a compact campus, you'll recognize faces quickly. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and notice when you're absent. Women make up 75.52% of the student body, creating a female-majority environment.

Nearly all students (99.53%) come from in-state, mostly from Stanly County and surrounding areas. This is a commuter campus where students drive home after classes rather than hanging around for campus life. Winters require light jackets but rarely heavy coats, while spring and fall offer mild weather perfect for studying outdoors. The 96.5% employment rate suggests many students juggle work schedules alongside their coursework. Weekends often involve family time, part-time jobs, or studying for transfer programs. The campus culture revolves around getting credentials quickly and affordably, with in-state tuition at just $2,672 making education accessible for working families.

Setting: Town-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1971

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 29°–50°F
July Avg: 69°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 48.8"
Annual Snowfall: -775.4"

Student Demographics

Students come to Stanly Community College from across North Carolina, with nearly all enrollees staying close to home in Albemarle. Women make up three-quarters of the student body, reflecting the college's strong nursing and healthcare programs that draw career-focused students. About one-third receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working families seeking affordable pathways to better jobs. The student body blends recent high school graduates with adult learners returning for career changes or skill upgrades. Most students work while attending classes, balancing education with family and job responsibilities.

Men: 24.5%
Women: 75.5%
White: 63.4%
Black: 20.8%
Hispanic: 4.6%
Asian: 2.2%
In-State Students: 99.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 31.3%

Location

Stanly Community College sits in Albemarle, North Carolina, about 45 miles northeast of Charlotte. The campus serves a rural county known for its textile manufacturing heritage and outdoor recreation along the Pee Dee River. Nearly 100% of the 1,430 students come from in-state, reflecting the college's deep community roots. The surrounding Uwharrie region offers small-town charm with access to state parks and hiking trails. Albemarle maintains a quiet, close-knit atmosphere where students often know their professors personally thanks to the 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The town centers around traditional Southern industries while embracing the college's role in workforce development. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Stanly Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Albemarle, North Carolina 28001

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,686
Median Earnings (5 years): $41,790
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,300

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Stanly Community College?

Stanly Community College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of North Carolina community colleges. The school serves 1,430 students with 99.53% coming from in-state, reflecting its mission to provide accessible higher education to Stanly County residents.

How much does Stanly Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $4,215 annually at Stanly Community College. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,027 after aid, making this one of the most affordable pathways to higher education in North Carolina.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Stanly Community College?

Stanly Community College maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized attention in both career training and college transfer programs. The school has built a reputation for hands-on learning that prepares students for immediate employment or seamless university transfer.

What are the job prospects for Stanly Community College graduates?

Graduates achieve a 96.5% employment rate, with median earnings of $36,686 ten years after enrollment. The college's strong ties to local industry and focus on practical skills training help students secure stable careers in the region.

Where is Stanly Community College located?

The college sits in Albemarle, North Carolina, a town-distant setting that provides a close-knit community atmosphere. Founded in 1971, it has become the educational cornerstone of Stanly County, serving a diverse student body that is 63.36% white and 20.77% Black.

Why do so many women attend Stanly Community College?

Women comprise 75.52% of the student body at Stanly Community College, higher than the national average. This reflects the college's strength in healthcare, education, and business programs that traditionally attract more female students seeking career advancement or career changes.