Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
- A-B Tech, the community's College, is dedicated to student success. As a comprehensive community College, A-B Tech is committed to providing accessible, quality educational opportunities for lifelong learning to meet the diverse and changing needs of our community.
School Highlights
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College serves 7,507 students (30% of students are full-time).
- The college's student:teacher ratio of 25:1 is higher than the state community college average of 19:1.
- Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 38%.
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is one of 2 community colleges within Buncombe County, NC.
- The nearest community college to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is South College - Asheville Campus (2.5 miles away).
Top Placements
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College places among the top 20% of community colleges in North Carolina for:
- Category Attribute
- Affordability Least expensive tuition
- Community Size Largest student body
- Student Earnings Highest graduate earnings (10 years post graduation)
- Completion Rates Highest completion rates
School Overview
- The teacher population of 304 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | (NC) Community College Avg. | |
| Institution Level | At least 2 but less than 4 years | At least 2 but less than 4 years |
| Institution Control | Public | Public |
| Total Faculty | 304 staff | 139 staff |
| Total Enrollment | 7,507 students | 2,380 students |
 | ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 25:1 | 19:1 |
| # Full-Time Students | 2,270 students | 1,019 students |
| # Part-Time Students | 5,237 students | 1,361 students |
| % American Indian/Alaskan | 1% | 1% |
| % Asian | 1% | 2% |
| % Hispanic | 3% | 6% |
| % Black | 6% | 21% |
| % White | 83% | 62% |
| % Two or more races | 1% | 1% |
| % Unknown races | 5% | 6% |
| Diversity Score | 0.30 | 0.56 |
 | ||
| College Completion Rate | 28% | 16% |
| Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years) | $31,400 | $27,500 |
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS
School Notes
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College has served as the community's premier technical educator for many years. Originally funded by a bond election, the institution was established Sept. 1, 1959, and named the Asheville Industrial Education Center. Following legislation creating the North Carolina System of Community Colleges that was enacted in 1963 by the General Assembly, the name was changed on Jan. 27, 1964, to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute. This legislation enabled the College to confer the Associate in Applied Science degree for the first time at graduation ceremonies in August 1964. The College offers the Associate in Arts, the Associate in Science, and the Associate in Applied Science degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degree programs are offered in the Division of Arts and Sciences. All career curricula and courses are offered through three divisions: Allied Health and Public Service Education, Business and Hospitality Education, and Engineering and Applied Technology. In addition, noncredit academic, avocational, practical skills, and occupational classes and activities are offered through the Continuing Education Division. Continuing Education courses includes Adult Basic Education, Human Resources Development, New and Expanding Industry Training, Small Business Center, Total Quality Management, and Focused Industrial. More than 25,000 students are enrolled in curriculum and continuing education courses, giving us the largest headcount of any college or university in Western North Carolina. Yet despite our size, we offer small classes, averaging 16 students per instructor in our two-year degree and one-year diploma programs. The main campus is located off Victoria Road in Asheville, North Carolina, a city repeatedly named as one of the most livable towns in America. The Madison Campus is located in Marshall, NC. The Enka Campus is located in the Enka community near Asheville, NC.
Nearby Schools
- The nearest community college to Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is South College - Asheville Campus (2.5 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- 303 students | 2.50 Mi140 Sweeten Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28803
(828) 398-2500 2.50303 - 2,088 students | 19.70 Mi180 West Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC 28731
(828) 694-1700 19.702,088 - 2,069 students | 21.10 Mi185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, NC 28721
(828) 627-2821 21.102,069 - Brevard CollegePrivate, non-profit705 students | 29.60 MiOne Brevard College Drive
Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 883-8292 29.60705 - 1,056 students | 34.00 Mi54 College Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828) 652-6021 34.001,056
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