Central Piedmont Community College

1201 Elizabeth Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28204
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • Central Piedmont Community College is an innovative and comprehensive college that advances the life-long educational development of students consistent with their needs, interests, and abilities while strengthening the economic, social, and cultural life of its diverse community.

School Highlights

Central Piedmont Community College serves 16,668 students (38% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 10:1 is higher than the state community college average of 9:1.
Minority enrollment is 52% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 40%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 16,668 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,664
  • Out-state tuition: $8,808
  • Student:teacher ratio: 10:1
  • Minority enrollment: 52%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Central Piedmont Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:

School Overview

The teacher population of 1,735 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Central Piedmont Community College
(NC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
1,735 staff
256 staff
This chart display total faculty of Central Piedmont Community College and community college average number of faculty in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Central Piedmont Community College has declined by 10% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 10:1 has decreased from 11:1 over five years.
The Central Piedmont Community College diversity score of 0.69 is more than the state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
16,668 students
2,142 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Central Piedmont Community College and community college average number of enrollment of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
9:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Central Piedmont Community College and community college average student staff ratio of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
6,367 students
693 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Central Piedmont Community College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
10,301 students
1,449 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Central Piedmont Community College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
This chart display the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Central Piedmont Community College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of NC.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
141 students
252 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
6,367 students
693 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Central Piedmont Community College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
5 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
10,301 students
1,583 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
1 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
717 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
1%
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Central Piedmont Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Asian
5%
3%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Central Piedmont Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
13%
10%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Central Piedmont Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
22%
18%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Central Piedmont Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
48%
60%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Central Piedmont Community College and the percentage of White community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Two or more races
2%
2%
This chart display the percentage of Two or more races students in Central Piedmont Community College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Non Resident races
6%
2%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in Central Piedmont Community College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
3%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Central Piedmont Community College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in NC.
Diversity Score
0.69
0.59
This chart display the diversity score of Central Piedmont Community College and the community college average diversity score of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
21%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Central Piedmont Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
1.63%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$30,600
$27,500
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Central Piedmont Community College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of NC by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $2,664 is less than the state average of $3,923. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,808 is less than the state average of $9,541. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,664
$3,923
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Central Piedmont Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,808
$9,541
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Central Piedmont Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
70%
81%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Central Piedmont Community College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$6,750
$11,865
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Central Piedmont Community College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,155
$5,846
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Central Piedmont Community College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
82%
SAT Reading
n/a
488
SAT Math
n/a
498
ACT Composite
n/a
20
ACT English
n/a
13
ACT Math
n/a
16
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • In 1963, Mecklenburg College and the Central Industrial Education Center were merged to establish Central Piedmont Community College, one the first of the 58 colleges in the NC Community College System. The substantial increase in the educational and training needs of the community since 1963 have required commensurate expansion of the College's instructional programs and facilities. In 1963, there were 23 degree and diploma programs; now there are more than 60, along with a comprehensive literacy program and an extensive array of corporate and continuing education offerings. In 1963, the College occupied the structures formerly used by Charlotte's Central High School. Recognizing that the Central Campus is experiencing maximum utilization, the College trustees in 1989 authorized the development of comprehensive campuses in other areas of Mecklenburg County to accommodate the ever increasing needs of the burgeoning Charlotte-Mecklenburg community. The College provides educational programs and services in Business, Community Service, Health, and Technology Programs; Transfer Programs; Queens Bound Program; Basic Skills Programs; Corporate and Continuing Education; Community Service and International Programs and Services. The college was fully accredited to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates in 1969 by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Central Piedmont Community College cost?
Central Piedmont Community College's tuition is approximately $2,664 for In-State students and $8,808 for Out-State students.
What is Central Piedmont Community College's ranking?
Central Piedmont Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Diversity in US community colleges, Largest student body and Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation).

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 16,668 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,664
  • Out-state tuition: $8,808
  • Student:teacher ratio: 10:1
  • Minority enrollment: 52%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

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