Cleveland Community College Photo #0 - Cleveland Community College

Cleveland Community College

137 S Post Rd
Shelby, NC 28152
Top-Ranked (2026-27): View Rankings
previous
Cleveland Community College Photo #1 - Cleveland Community College
next
Cleveland Community College Photo #1 - Cleveland Community College
  • The College`s mission is to help students achieve professional and personal goals by providing quality, accessible educational programs and services; to serve as an agent for economic development by responding to the educational and training needs of business and industry, and to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life in Cleveland County by actively participating in collaborative community initiatives.

School Highlights

Cleveland Community College serves 1,558 students (35% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 39% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 50%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 1,558 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,526
  • Out-state tuition: $8,670
  • Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
  • Minority enrollment: 39%
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute

School Overview

The teacher population of 192 teachers has declined by 23% over five years.
Cleveland Community College
(NC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's 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
192 staff
129 staff
School Calendar
AccreditationAccred.
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Student Body

The student population of Cleveland Community College has declined by 31% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 8:1 has decreased from 10:1 over five years.
The Cleveland Community College diversity score of 0.57 is less than the state average of 0.68. The school's diversity has grown by 22% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,558 students
2,143 students

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
21:1
# Full-Time Students
550 students
650 students

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

# Part-Time Students
1,008 students
1,493 students

Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data

# Enrollment Undergraduate
1,558 students
1,887 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
550 students
650 students

Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data

# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,008 students
1,522 students
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
6%
14%

Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data

% Black
22%
22%

Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data

% White
61%
50%

Showing 2010–2025. View full 19-year historical data

% Two or more races
3%
3%
% Unknown races
5%
6%
Diversity Score
0.57
0.68

Showing 2011–2025. View full 19-year historical data

College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
34%
37%

Showing 2015–2025. View full 19-year historical data

Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry (measured in 2022-2023, in 2024 dollars)
$37,128
$38,789

Points are in the dollars of their own College Scorecard release, and the colleges behind the state line differ by period. The lines do not show inflation-adjusted growth.

Tuition & Financial Aid

The public in-state tuition of $2,526 is less than the state average of $3,915. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,670 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,526
$3,915
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,670
$9,508
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
100%
79%

Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data

Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Cleveland Community College established in 1965 by and for the people of Cleveland County is a comprehensive, public two-year college and member institution of the North Carolina Community College System. Programs of study include college transfer Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees; Associate in Applied Science degrees; Associate in General Education degree; technical and vocational diplomas and certificates. Support services include academic advisement, developmental support, library/media services, and instructional technology. Cleveland Community College's transfer program includes many courses designed to prepare students for upper division study in such fields as business, education, engineering, dentistry, law, and medicine. Cleveland Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cleveland Community College cost?
Cleveland Community College's tuition is approximately $2,526 for In-State students and $8,670 for Out-State students.
What is Cleveland Community College's ranking?
Cleveland Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Percent of students receiving financial aid.

Recent Articles

Does a College’s Employer Partnership Include Hiring?
Does a College’s Employer Partnership Include Hiring?
A major employer’s logo does not promise a job. Learn how to check hiring commitments, eligibility and access before choosing a community college program.
New vs. Established Career Programs: Which Is Safer?
New vs. Established Career Programs: Which Is Safer?
Compare new and established community college career programs by checking readiness, recent outcomes, staffing and support before you commit to enrollment.
Can Your Career Credential Cross State Lines?
Can Your Career Credential Cross State Lines?
Before choosing a community college career program, check whether its credential meets licensing requirements in another state and what moving could cost.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 1,558 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,526
  • Out-state tuition: $8,670
  • Student-teacher ratio: 8:1
  • Minority enrollment: 39%
  • Source: Verified school update

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For North Carolina public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,915 per year for in-state students and $9,508 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $19,438 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in North Carolina is 75%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

North Carolina community colleges have a diversity score of 0.68, which is lower than the national average of 0.74. The most diverse community college in North Carolina is Durham Technical Community College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

Quick Links