- The mission of Catawba Valley Community College is to empower individuals and enrich the community by providing quality education and workforce training for economic and personal development.
School Highlights
Catawba Valley Community College serves 5,758 students (34% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is lower than the state community college average of 13:1.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 48%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 5,758 students
- In-state tuition: $2,502
- Out-state tuition: $8,646
- Acceptance Rate: 77%
- Student:teacher ratio: 11:1
- Minority enrollment: 35%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Catawba Valley Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Debt For Students
School Overview
The teacher population of 510 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Catawba Valley Community College
(NC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Nontraditional
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
510 staff
256 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Catawba Valley Community College has grown by 22% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 has increased from 8:1 over five years.
The Catawba Valley Community College diversity score of 0.54 is less than the state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,758 students
2,579 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
11:1
13:1
# Full-Time Students
1,949 students
766 students
# Part-Time Students
3,809 students
1,813 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
575 students
316 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,949 students
766 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
22 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,809 students
1,990 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
3 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
717 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
1%
% Asian
6%
3%
% Hispanic
15%
13%
% Black
7%
21%
% White
65%
52%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
4%
3%
% Non Resident races
1%
1%
% Unknown races
2%
5%
Diversity Score
0.54
0.66
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
31%
37%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
43%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$29,700
$27,500
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $2,502 is less than the state average of $3,915. The in-state tuition has grown by 5% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,646 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has grown by 11% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,502
$3,915
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,646
$9,508
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
91%
82%
Median Debt for Graduates
$6,750
$11,865
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,351
$5,846
Acceptance Rate
77%
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: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Through the concerted efforts of concerned and united Catawba County citizens and North Carolina educational leaders, on April 3, 1958, Catawba Valley Community College was established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction as the ninth school of its kind in the state. In July 1963. the General Assembly of North Carolina enacted into law G.S. 115A which provided for the establishment of the present North Carolina System of Community Colleges. On January 9, 1964, Catawba Valley Technical Institute was among the original seven institutes chartered by the Department. At that time, CVTI established its own Board of Trustees and began operation as a member of the Department of Community Colleges. Thus, it was in August 1964, that the College awarded its first Associate Degree in Applied Science. Catawba Valley Community College, located about half way between Hickory and Newton on Highways 70 and 321, is in Catawba County, North Carolina. The campus covers 120 acres and includes ten buildings for a total of 270.000 square feet of floor space. In addition, there is a college Art Center on the Startown Highway, an Education Center in downtown Newton, the Alexander County Center, Balls Creek Center, and an East Campus. CVCC offers a variety of education programs including but not limited to the following: College Transfer, Automotive Systems, Business, Criminal Justice, Engineering Technology, Environmental Life Science, Furniture Technology, Health Science, Humanities, Industrial Technologies, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Corporate & Continuing Education. CVCC offers a variety of vocational and technical education programs that can be completed in two years or less. Our College transfer programs are designed to give students the first two years of a four-year college education. A student's experience at Catawba Valley Community College does not begin and end in the classroom. Various activities, opportunities, and functions of a social and professional nature are offered by Student Government in order to provide a well rounded campus atmosphere. The College encourages participation in student organizations and activities. Programs sponsored include Fall and Spring Flings, N4C SGA conferences, co-curricular activities, NJCAA women's volleyball and NJCAA men's basketball and much more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Catawba Valley Community College cost?
Catawba Valley Community College's tuition is approximately $2,502 for In-State students and $8,646 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of Catawba Valley Community College?
The acceptance rate of Catawba Valley Community College is 77%, which is lower than the state average of 82%.
What is Catawba Valley Community College's ranking?
Catawba Valley Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Largest student body and Least debt for graduating students.
Recent Articles
Unlocking Airport Career Opportunities: Your Guide to Ground Jobs
Discover the diverse range of ground jobs at mid-size U.S. airports, their educational requirements, and how community colleges can prepare you for these exciting careers.
The Real Dollar Value of an Associate Degree
How much is an associate's degree really worth? We calculate and research the ROI of an associate degree specifically, and the results are interesting.
Hands Across California: Community College Students Band Together to Save the System
Facing a monumental budget crisis, California's community college students took matters into their own hands, holding rallies and conferences for Hands Across California.
