Western Piedmont Community College
- Graduation Rate
- 43% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,195 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $6,448 A-
- 62% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,339
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 31.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $31.0 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $31.0 over 20 years. Net gain: $774,517.
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 43% — 25% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $31.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Western Piedmont Community College
Western 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
- 1,339
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Education
Why students choose Western 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 $6,448 a year after grants and scholarships — 62% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,195 ten years after enrolling — 16% below the typical college.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 90% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.48 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 1,339 students, Western Piedmont Community College is a great fit for individuals looking to gain practical skills in areas like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Criminal Justice. If you’re considering a career in these fields or even exploring a path in Education or Humanities, this college has programs tailored for you. The supportive environment and focus on career readiness make it a solid choice for those eager to jump into the workforce or continue their education.
Looking at life after graduation, students can expect to earn around $34,195 within ten years of finishing their studies. This figure highlights the potential for a stable income, especially for those who invest time in their education here. Additionally, with 45% of students receiving Pell Grants, there are financial resources available to help alleviate the cost of education, making it more accessible for those who may need it.
When it comes to affordability, the net price after aid stands at approximately $6,448. This makes Western Piedmont Community College an attractive option for many, especially those who are mindful of student debt. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a tight-knit community and are motivated to take advantage of the hands-on learning experiences the college provides.
Rankings
- #31 Best Education Colleges in North Carolina
- #32 Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina
- #34 Best Nursing Colleges in North Carolina
- #39 Best Online Nursing Programs in North Carolina
- #40 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in North Carolina
- #42 Best Online Computer Science Programs in North Carolina
- #42 Best Online Education Programs in North Carolina
- #45 Best Online Business Programs in North Carolina
Can I Get In?
How selective Western 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 Western Piedmont Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Morganton, North Carolina, Western Piedmont Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 26%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,227
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.48
- 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 Western Piedmont Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Piedmont Community College is $8,794, 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 $6,448. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,471 after need-based grants.
- In-State Tuition
- $2,650
- Out-of-State
- $8,794
- Avg Net Price
- $6,448
- Pell Grant Rate
- 45%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 0%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,471
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,147
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,386
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 Western 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 Western Piedmont Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Piedmont Community College report median earnings of $34,195, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $29,913
- 8 Years
- $32,184
- 10 Years
- $34,195
- Earning > $25K
- 45%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (62)
- 35%
- 100% (62)
- 35%
- 100% (62)
- 35%
- 100% (62)
- 35%
How Western 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 Western Piedmont Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Western Piedmont Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,448/year ($25,792 total). Graduates earn $34,195 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $800,309 in total earnings — a net gain of $774,517 (31.0× your investment).. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $25,792
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $800,309
- Net Return
- $774,517
- ROI Multiple
- 31.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,448
- Graduation Rate
- 43%
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 Western Piedmont Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western 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 0.73%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14% 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 5.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $56,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.73%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 5.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $77,307
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $3,698,809
- Investment Income
- $-141,550
Top Programs
The fields Western 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 26%
- Health Professions 20% $72,739 early-career
- Business & Marketing 8%
- Education 7%
- Culinary & Personal Services 7%
- Precision Production 5%
- Construction Trades 3%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
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 Western 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
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Nurse Practitioner$129,480 · 40% growthResilient 96
- CTraining Manager$125,040 · 6% growthResilient 74
- CProduct Manager$125,000 · 8% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Western Piedmont Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Morganton, North Carolina, Western Piedmont Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Piedmont Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Western Piedmont Community College is $8,794, 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 $6,448. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,471 after need-based grants.
Is Western Piedmont Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Western Piedmont Community College report median earnings of $34,195, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Western Piedmont Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Western 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 0.73%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14% 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 5.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $56,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Western 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 below average at Western Piedmont Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.48, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Piedmont Community College.
- Southwestern Community CollegeSylva, NC · Close peer53% grad $34,145 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · same state
- John Wood Community CollegeQuincy, IL · Close peer48% grad $38,631 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size · similar net price
- Patrick & Henry Community CollegeMartinsville, VA · Close peer43% grad $33,323 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Copper Mountain Community CollegeJoshua Tree, CA · Close peer31% grad $33,281 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- South Piedmont Community CollegePolkton, NC · Close peer37% grad $37,308 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Hawaii Community CollegeHilo, HI · Close peer32% grad $34,891 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Western 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 below average at Western Piedmont Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.48, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note