- COA is a comprehensive community college committed to providing accessible education, training, and retraining for better jobs and better lives in Northeastern North Carolina.
School Highlights
College of the Albemarle serves 2,905 students (30% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 19:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 38% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 50%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Enrollment: 2,905 students
- In-state tuition: $2,102
- Out-state tuition: $7,404
- Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
- Minority enrollment: 38%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
College of the Albemarle ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
School Overview
The teacher population of 156 teachers has declined by 43% over five years.
College of the Albemarle
(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
Year Founded
1961
Total Faculty
156 staff
129 staff
School Calendar
AccreditationAccred.
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
Student Body
The student population of College of the Albemarle has grown by 15% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 19:1 has increased from 9:1 over five years.
The College of the Albemarle diversity score of 0.58 is less than the state average of 0.68. The school's diversity has grown by 18% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,905 students
2,143 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
21:1
# Full-Time Students
883 students
650 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Part-Time Students
2,022 students
1,493 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Enrollment Undergraduate
2,905 students
1,887 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
883 students
650 students
Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
2,022 students
1,522 students
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
6%
14%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
12%
22%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% White
62%
50%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Two or more races
4%
3%
% Non Resident races
4%
1%
% Unknown races
10%
6%
Diversity Score
0.58
0.68
Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
42%
37%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$25,600
$27,500
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $2,102 is less than the state average of $3,915. The in-state tuition has declined by 5% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,404 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,102
$3,915
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,404
$9,508
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
59%
79%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Median Debt for Graduates
$4,625
$9,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$3,887
$5,500
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Whether you are a basic skills, continuing education, vocational, technical or college transfer student; or a community member seeking business & industry training or cultural enrichment, COA has much to offer. COA can help you meet your educational and career goals. Many of our services are free, and all of them are relatively inexpensive, making COA an affordable investment in your future. Elizabeth City became home to COA in 1961 when College of The Albemarle became the first community college in the state chartered under the Community College Act of 1957. In 1963, the college was approved as the first comprehensive community college in the North Carolina Community College System. The college's 75-acre Elizabeth City Campus is located on Highway U.S. 17 North in Elizabeth City. On that campus, six major buildings provide space for administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, laboratories, a college bookstore, a student center, the Learning Resources Center, a lecture auditorium, a learning lab, the COA Auditorium, the Technology Center, a Basic Skills Lab, and a Health Sciences Center. Credits earned at College of The Albemarle in curricula leading to the Associate in Arts degree, the Associate in Science degree, the Associate in Fine Arts degree, and some of those leading to the Associate in Applied Science degree and the Associate in General Education degree, are transferable to senior colleges and universities for a higher degree. College of The Albemarle is a member of the North Carolina Community College System. College of The Albemarle is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does College of the Albemarle cost?
College of the Albemarle's tuition is approximately $2,102 for In-State students and $7,404 for Out-State students.
What is College of the Albemarle's ranking?
College of the Albemarle ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Least expensive tuition.
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