Surry Community College: $2,545 Tuition

$2,545Tuition

1,445Students

8%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,012Earnings

Public2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About Surry Community College

Surry Community College serves the foothills of North Carolina with practical workforce training that connects directly to regional employers. The college enrolls 1,445 students in a rural setting where hands-on learning takes priority over theoretical coursework. Programs focus on trades, healthcare, and manufacturing skills that match the economic needs of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Students work closely with faculty in a 14:1 ratio that allows for personalized attention in technical fields.

Students pay an average net price of $4,707 after financial aid, making this one of the most affordable pathways to career training in North Carolina. Graduates earn a median of $36,012 ten years after starting, though many enter well-paying trades where experience matters more than credentials. Only 25% of students receive federal aid, suggesting many come from working families who value practical education over prestige. The low borrowing reflects the school's mission as an affordable stepping stone to employment.

The student body is 62% female and draws heavily from local communities, with 95% coming from North Carolina. Athletics remain modest with just 49 total athletes competing in two sports. The 94% employment rate demonstrates the college's success at connecting training directly to jobs in the region.

Academics & Faculty

Surry Community College focuses heavily on workforce development and career training programs that prepare students for immediate employment in the North Carolina foothills region. The school maintains a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, providing personalized attention in hands-on technical programs. However, the 7.70% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students attend part-time while working or transfer before completing degrees. The college emphasizes practical skills training in areas like manufacturing, healthcare, and trades that match local industry needs. Students benefit from small classes where instructors often have real-world experience in their fields. The focus remains on getting graduates job-ready rather than preparing them for four-year university transfer.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Full-Time Faculty: 35.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 7.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,012

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$50,856
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$29,250
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$26,353
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$22,192
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$18,315

View all 66 programs →

Campus Life

Surry Community College sits in the Blue Ridge foothills about 90 minutes northwest of Winston-Salem. The campus serves a mostly local population, with 94.51% of students coming from North Carolina. You'll need a winter coat for the mountain climate, where temperatures can drop into the 20s during January and February.

Women make up 61.59% of the student body at this rural campus of 1,445 students. The college operates on a semester system with a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio that creates smaller, personalized classes. Most students commute from surrounding mountain communities rather than living on campus. The Knights field just two varsity sports with 49 total athletes competing in NCCAA Division II.

Weekend life centers around the surrounding Yadkin Valley wine country and outdoor recreation in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains. Many students work while attending classes, reflecting the college's focus on workforce development programs. The strong employment rate of 93.7% shows most graduates find work quickly in the region's manufacturing and healthcare sectors.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1964

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 24°–47°F
July Avg: 63°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 50.5"
Annual Snowfall: 8.2"

Student Demographics

Surry draws overwhelmingly from North Carolina's foothills region, with 95% of students coming from in-state. The student body reflects the college's mission as a local workforce development center. Women make up 62% of enrollment, typical for community colleges that emphasize healthcare, education, and human services training. One in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families seeking affordable career preparation. The demographic mix of primarily white students with a growing Hispanic population mirrors the changing face of rural North Carolina communities the college serves.

Men: 38.4%
Women: 61.6%
White: 74.9%
Black: 3.4%
Hispanic: 17.3%
Asian: 0.3%
In-State Students: 94.5%
Pell Grant Recipients: 25.2%

Location

Dobson sits in the foothills of North Carolina, about 90 miles northwest of Charlotte and 40 miles from Winston-Salem. The rural-distant setting serves Surry County's agricultural and manufacturing communities. With 94.51% of students coming from in-state, the college draws primarily from local mountain communities. The area features rolling hills transitioning from the Piedmont to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Tobacco farming and furniture manufacturing have historically defined the region's economy. Mount Airy, Andy Griffith's hometown and inspiration for Mayberry, lies just 20 minutes away. The 1,445 students experience small-town mountain culture with access to outdoor recreation. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Surry Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Dobson, North Carolina 27017-8432

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,012
Median Earnings (5 years): $38,196
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,700
Loan Repayment Rate: 46.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Surry Community College?

Surry Community College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students who want to pursue workforce training in North Carolina's foothills region. With 1,445 students enrolled, the college serves primarily local residents, as 94.51% of students are from North Carolina.

How much does Surry Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $4,707 annually, making it highly affordable for working families. In-state tuition runs just $2,545, while only 25.17% of students receive federal financial aid, suggesting many can afford the low published prices without assistance.

What programs is Surry Community College known for?

The college focuses heavily on workforce development programs that prepare students for immediate employment in the region. With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive personalized attention in career-focused training that serves the economic needs of rural North Carolina.

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

Graduates achieve a strong 93.7% employment rate, demonstrating the college's effectiveness at job placement. However, the 7.70% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students attend part-time while working or leave early once they gain employment skills.

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

The college sits in Dobson, North Carolina, serving the rural foothills region with a close-knit community feel. With just 49 total athletes competing in 2 varsity sports as the Knights, campus life centers more on academics and workforce preparation than traditional college athletics.

Does Surry Community College offer financial aid to students?

Only 25.17% of students receive Pell Grants, and the college offers minimal institutional aid with just 5.74% receiving grants averaging $6,097. The low financial aid usage reflects the college's already affordable tuition structure rather than limited aid availability.