# Catawba Valley Community College

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/catawba-valley-community-college

## Overview

- **Location:** Hickory, NC
- **Type:** Public
- **Setting:** Urban
- **Region:** Southeast
- **Enrollment:** 2,741
- **Predominant Degree:** Associate's

Catawba Valley Community College is a solid choice for students looking to gain practical skills in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Construction Trades. With an enrollment of around 2,741, the college creates a close-knit environment where students can receive personalized attention. It stands out for its focus on hands-on training, making it a great fit for those who prefer a more applied approach to their education.

Life after graduation can be promising, especially considering the average earnings of $36,977 within ten years of completing a program. While the graduation rate sits at 35%, many students still find pathways to success, often moving into stable careers right after earning their degrees. Affordability is also a key factor here; with a net price of $10,528, students can pursue their studies without incurring significant debt.

Speaking of debt, the median student debt at Catawba Valley is just $4,938, which is quite manageable compared to many other institutions. This financial accessibility allows students to focus on their studies and jumpstart their careers without feeling overwhelmed by loans. Those who thrive here are often those who appreciate a hands-on learning environment and are motivated to gain skills that lead directly to employment.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| SAT Average | N/A |
| ACT Midpoint | N/A |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $2,427 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $7,803 |
| Average Net Price | $10,528 |
| Median Debt | $4,938 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 28% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 0% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $9,170 |
| $30K-$48K | $9,639 |
| $48K-$75K | $13,129 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | N/A |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 35% |
| Retention Rate | 65% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $32,508 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $35,885 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $36,977 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.13x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 56.54% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 473.1% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 1195.2% |
| Parent Median Income | $63,800 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 0.70 |
| Friending Bias | -0.01 |
| Volunteering Rate | 3.9% |
| Support Ratio | 0.98 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Humanities | 37% |
| Health Professions | 14% |
| Business & Marketing | 11% |
| Precision Production | 10% |
| Construction Trades | 5% |
| Mechanic & Repair Tech | 4% |
| Computer Science & IT | 3% |
| Criminal Justice | 3% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 7 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #20 in [Best Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-north-carolina)
- #20 in [Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-north-carolina)
- #26 in [Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-nursing-north-carolina)
- #26 in [Best Criminal Justice Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-criminal-justice-north-carolina)
- #34 in [Best Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-north-carolina)
- #39 in [Best Business Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-north-carolina)
- #49 in [Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-north-carolina)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Catawba Valley Community College — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/catawba-valley-community-college