Tri-County Community College
- Graduation Rate
- 54% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $32,232 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $7,799 B+
- 54% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 472
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 25.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.2 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $25.2 over 20 years. Net gain: $754,367.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduate earnings fall 21% below the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Tri-County Community College
Tri-County 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
- 472
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Culinary & Personal Services
Why students choose Tri-County 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 $7,799 a year after grants and scholarships — 54% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $32,232 ten years after enrolling — 21% below the typical college.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 76% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.49 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Tri-County Community College in Murphy, NC, is an ideal choice for students seeking a supportive environment with a focus on practical skills. With around 472 students, the college fosters a close-knit community where learners can dive into programs like Humanities, Health Professions, Precision Production, Business & Marketing, and Culinary & Personal Services. This emphasis on hands-on training helps prepare students for real-world challenges and opportunities.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $32,232 within a decade, a figure that reflects the value of their education in the job market. For many, this is an essential stepping stone towards upward mobility. The affordability of Tri-County also plays a significant role; the net price after financial aid is about $7,799, making it accessible for a wider range of students, including those who may rely on Pell Grants, which support around 29% of the student body.
When considering the cost of education, students at Tri-County can expect a manageable financial commitment. While we don't have specific data on median debt, the accessible net price suggests a lower financial burden compared to many other institutions. Those who thrive here are often those looking for a solid foundation in practical careers, seeking a supportive community, and ready to take advantage of the hands-on learning experiences available.
Rankings
- #20 Best Online Education Programs in North Carolina
- #21 Best Online Computer Science Programs in North Carolina
- #21 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in North Carolina
- #22 Best Online Business Programs in North Carolina
- #22 Best Online Nursing Programs in North Carolina
- #38 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
- #44 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Tri-County 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 Tri-County Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Murphy, North Carolina, Tri-County Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
- Retention Rate
- 76%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 18%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $5,534
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.32
- First-Gen Students
- 46%
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 Tri-County Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Tri-County Community College is $8,780, 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 $7,799. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,220 after need-based grants.
- In-State Tuition
- $2,636
- Out-of-State
- $8,780
- Avg Net Price
- $7,799
- Pell Grant Rate
- 29%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 0%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $7,220
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,224
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,984
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 Tri-County 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 Tri-County Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Tri-County Community College report median earnings of $32,232, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $27,374
- 8 Years
- $30,263
- 10 Years
- $32,232
- Earning > $25K
- 34%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (16)
- 25%
- 100% (16)
- 25%
- 100% (16)
- 25%
- 100% (16)
- 25%
How Tri-County 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 Tri-County Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Tri-County Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,799/year ($31,196 total). Graduates earn $32,232 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $785,563 in total earnings — a net gain of $754,367 (25.2× your investment).. With a 54% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $31,196
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $785,563
- Net Return
- $754,367
- ROI Multiple
- 25.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $7,799
- Graduation Rate
- 54%
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 Tri-County Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Tri-County 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 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 23.8% 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 4.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $44,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.99%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 4.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 23.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $59,916
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Top Programs
The fields Tri-County 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 56%
- Health Professions 13% $56,850 early-career
- Business & Marketing 7%
- Culinary & Personal Services 6%
- Precision Production 4% $26,097 early-career
- Education 3%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 3%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
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 Tri-County 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 Tri-County Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Murphy, North Carolina, Tri-County Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Tri-County Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Tri-County Community College is $8,780, 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 $7,799. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,220 after need-based grants.
Is Tri-County Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Tri-County Community College report median earnings of $32,232, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Tri-County Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Tri-County 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 0.99%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 23.8% 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 4.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $44,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Tri-County Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Tri-County Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.07), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 16% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Tri-County Community College.
- McDowell Technical Community CollegeMarion, NC · Close peer53% grad $33,035 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of South Carolina-UnionUnion, SC · Close peer43% grad $33,699 earn 62% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Halifax Community CollegeWeldon, NC · Close peer38% grad $31,644 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · same state
- Southeastern Community CollegeWhiteville, NC · Close peer47% grad $30,284 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical CollegeMoorefield, WV · Close peer41% grad $31,636 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Belmont CollegeSt Clairsville, OH · Close peer41% grad $35,329 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Tri-County Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Tri-County Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.49, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.07), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 16% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note