Durham Technical Community College

1637 Lawson Street
Durham, NC 27703
Top Ranked (2024): View Rankings
  • The primary mission and purpose of Durham Technical Community College are to provide postsecondary education that prepares students for careers in vocational and technical fields, the first two years of a baccalaureate degree to prepare students for professional careers, basic skills and general education programs that enable students to live productive lives, and skills development courses that meet workforce training needs of the residents and employers of Durham and Orange counties. The college seeks to inspire an active desire for lifelong learning and knowledge that will serve them well in the global workplace. Financially and geographically, Durham Tech provides an educational opportunity not otherwise available to area adults.

School Highlights

Durham Technical Community College serves 4,672 students (19% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 8:1 is lower than the state community college average of 9:1.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 40%.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 4,672 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,039
  • Out-state tuition: $7,577
  • Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
  • Minority enrollment: 62%
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

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

School Overview

The teacher population of 610 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Durham Technical 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
610 staff
256 staff
This chart display total faculty of Durham Technical 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 Durham Technical Community College has declined by 17% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 8:1 has decreased from 9:1 over five years.
The Durham Technical Community College diversity score of 0.75 is more than the state average of 0.59. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,672 students
2,142 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Durham Technical Community College and community college average number of enrollment of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
9:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Durham Technical Community College and community college average student staff ratio of NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
866 students
693 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Durham Technical 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
3,806 students
1,449 students
This chart display the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Durham Technical 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 Durham Technical Community College.
This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of NC.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
368 students
252 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
866 students
693 students
This chart display the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Durham Technical 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
3,806 students
1,583 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
1 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
717 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
1%
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Durham Technical Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2019-20 school year data.
% Asian
5%
3%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Durham Technical Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Hispanic
17%
10%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Durham Technical Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
26%
18%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Durham Technical Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% White
38%
60%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Durham Technical 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 Durham Technical 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
8%
2%
This chart display the percentage of Non Resident students in Durham Technical 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
4%
4%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Durham Technical Community College.
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in NC.
Diversity Score
0.75
0.59
This chart display the diversity score of Durham Technical 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)
19%
35%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Durham Technical 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)
$29,700
$27,500
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Durham Technical 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 $2,039 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 $7,577 is less than the state average of $9,541. The out-state tuition has grown by 15% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,039
$3,923
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Durham Technical 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
$7,577
$9,541
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Durham Technical 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
88%
81%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Durham Technical 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
$15,091
$11,865
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Durham Technical 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
$8,487
$5,846
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Durham Technical 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 Notes

  • Durham Technical Community College is a charter member of the North Carolina Community College System. When the North Carolina General Assembly authorized a small appropriation to establish a limited number of area schools to be known as industrial education centers in 1957, Durham already had a vigorous program in adult education through the Vocational and Adult Education Department of the Durham City Schools. A Practical Nursing program had been established in 1948; other programs included training in mechanical drafting, architectural drafting, and electronics technology. In addition, literacy skills training was offered for adults. Courses to upgrade the skills of workers were also offered in a variety of trades. Durham Tech offers at the main campus location on Lawson Street and Cooper Street, at the Northern Durham Center on Snow Hill Road, at the Orange County Campus Campus on College Park Road in Hillsborough, at the Orange County Skills Development Center on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, and at dozens of other locations throughout Durham and Orange counties. Durham Technical Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate's degrees. The college is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges. The Dental Laboratory Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association; the Occupational Therapy Assistant program is accredited by the Accreditation Committee for Occupational Therapy Education; the Opticianry program is accredited by the Commission on Opticianry Accreditation; and the Respiratory Therapy program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. The Pharmacy Technology program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The Surgical Technology program holds provisional accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. The Nursing program is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing (PN) programs have been approved for accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Durham Technical Community College cost?
Durham Technical Community College's tuition is approximately $2,039 for In-State students and $7,577 for Out-State students.
What schools are Durham Technical Community College often compared to?
Durham Technical Community Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Wake Technical Community College by visitors of our site.
What is Durham Technical Community College's ranking?
Durham Technical Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Least expensive tuition, Diversity in US community colleges, Average community college minority breakdown and Largest student body.

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Enrollment: 4,672 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,039
  • Out-state tuition: $7,577
  • Student:teacher ratio: 8:1
  • Minority enrollment: 62%
  • Source: Verified school update

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For North Carolina public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,923 per year for in-state students and $9,541 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 71%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

North Carolina community colleges have a diversity score of 0.59, which is lower than the national average of 0.70. The most diverse community college in North Carolina is Durham Technical Community College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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