Central Piedmont Community College
#5 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina- Graduation Rate
- 29% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $37,865 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $3,345 A
- 80% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 15,067
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 69.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $69.0 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina.
Every $1 spent returns $69.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $910,278.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 29% — 49% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $69.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 15,067
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose Central Piedmont Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $3,345 a year after grants and scholarships — 80% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $37,865 ten years after enrolling — 7% below the typical college, against $7,925 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 83% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.92 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of over 15,000 students, Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC, is a solid choice for those looking to dive into practical fields like Humanities, Computer Science & IT, Education, Visual & Performing Arts, and Business & Marketing. The college caters to a diverse group of learners, including those who may be returning to education or seeking new career paths. A key standout here is the affordability; the net price after aid is just $3,345, making it accessible for many.
When considering what life looks like after graduation, the earnings data is promising. Graduates can expect to earn around $37,865 after ten years in the workforce. That figure reflects a path to upward mobility for many, especially for students who take advantage of the resources and support available through the college. While the graduation rate sits at 29%, it’s important to note that many students transfer to four-year institutions, which can impact the numbers but also opens up additional opportunities.
Looking at the practical aspects, the median debt for graduates is $7,925, which is manageable compared to many other institutions. With a Pell Grant rate of 29%, the college is also supportive of low-income students, helping to minimize financial burdens. Those who tend to thrive here are often self-motivated individuals seeking to gain specific skills or credentials that align with their career goals, making Central Piedmont a stepping stone toward future success.
Rankings
- #5 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina
- #17 Best Computer Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #17 Best Data Science Colleges in North Carolina
- #19 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
- #23 Best Online Colleges in North Carolina
- #25 Best Colleges in North Carolina
- #26 Best Online Computer Science Programs in North Carolina
- #27 Best Online Education Programs in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Central Piedmont Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Central Piedmont Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Central Piedmont Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 27%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,511
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.76
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Central Piedmont Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Central Piedmont Community College is $8,936, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $3,345. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,258 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $7,925 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $2,792
- Out-of-State
- $8,936
- Avg Net Price
- $3,345
- Median Debt
- $7,925
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 0%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $3,258
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $2,068
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $4,725
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Central Piedmont Community College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Central Piedmont Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Central Piedmont Community College report median earnings of $37,865, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $32,138
- 8 Years
- $36,044
- 10 Years
- $37,865
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.21x
- Earning > $25K
- 43%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (141)
- 10%
- 100% (141)
- 10%
- 100% (141)
- 10%
- 100% (141)
- 10%
How Central Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Central Piedmont Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Central Piedmont Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $3,345/year ($13,380 total). Graduates earn $37,865 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $923,658 in total earnings — a net gain of $910,278 (69.0× your investment). The median debt is $7,925, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 29% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $13,380
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $923,658
- Net Return
- $910,278
- ROI Multiple
- 69.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $3,345
- Median Debt
- $7,925
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 29%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Central Piedmont Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Central Piedmont Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.89%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.89%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 7.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $96,736
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $84,023
Top Programs
The fields Central Piedmont Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 35%
- Business & Marketing 10% $52,482 early-career
- Health Professions 9% $66,056 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 9% $25,014 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 7% $49,956 early-career
- Education 6% $28,558 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 4% $58,491 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 4% $29,017 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Central Piedmont Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Central Piedmont Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Central Piedmont Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 29%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Central Piedmont Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Central Piedmont Community College is $8,936, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $3,345. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,258 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $7,925 in federal student loans.
Is Central Piedmont Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Central Piedmont Community College report median earnings of $37,865, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Central Piedmont Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Central Piedmont Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.89%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 7.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Central Piedmont Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Central Piedmont Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.92, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Central Piedmont Community College.
- Oakland Community CollegeAuburn Hills, MI · Close peer19% grad $37,395 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Grossmont CollegeEl Cajon, CA · Close peer34% grad $40,309 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Metropolitan Community College AreaOmaha, NE · Close peer27% grad $38,773 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- San Diego City CollegeSan Diego, CA · Close peer28% grad $38,503 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Cosumnes River CollegeSacramento, CA · Close peer36% grad $42,446 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
- Mt San Jacinto Community College DistrictSan Jacinto, CA · Close peer36% grad $38,319 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Central Piedmont Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs around the national average at Central Piedmont Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.92, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.10). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note