- 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 5,157 students (29% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 15:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 71% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 50%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Enrollment: 5,157 students
- In-state tuition: $2,039
- Out-state tuition: $7,577
- Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
- Minority enrollment: 71%
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Durham Technical Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
Diversity
Community Size
School Overview
The teacher population of 336 teachers has declined by 44% over five years.
Durham Technical 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
Year Founded
1961
Total Faculty
336 staff
129 staff
School Calendar
School Motto
Durham Tech – where our students and graduates do great things
Student Body
The student population of Durham Technical Community College has grown by 10% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 15:1 has increased from 9:1 over five years.
The Durham Technical Community College diversity score of 0.76 is more than the state average of 0.68. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,157 students
2,143 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
21:1
# Full-Time Students
1,483 students
650 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Part-Time Students
3,674 students
1,493 students
Showing 2012–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Enrollment Undergraduate
5,157 students
1,887 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,483 students
650 students
Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,674 students
1,522 students
% Asian
5%
3%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Hispanic
19%
14%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Black
34%
22%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% White
29%
50%
Showing 2010–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
% Two or more races
4%
3%
% Non Resident races
5%
1%
% Unknown races
4%
6%
Diversity Score
0.76
0.68
Showing 2011–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
24%
37%
Showing 2015–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$29,700
$27,500
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $2,039 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 $7,577 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has grown by 15% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,039
$3,915
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,577
$9,508
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
71%
79%
Showing 2013–2025. Full 19-year historical data available below ↓
Median Debt for Graduates
$15,091
$11,865
Median Debt for Dropouts
$8,487
$5,846
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
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.
Recent Articles
Before You Withdraw From a Community College Class
Before withdrawing from a community college class, understand how a W grade affects financial aid, prerequisites, graduation, transfer plans, course attempts, and your future academic options and opportunities for success.
Taking a Semester Off Community College Without Losing Your Place
Can you take a semester off community college without losing your program seat? Learn about leave policies, readmission, financial aid, course sequencing, and steps to protect your enrollment status.
Failing a Course in a Lockstep Career Program
Learn what happens when you fail a course in a lockstep community college career program, including retakes, delayed graduation, readmission requirements, financial aid risks, and practical steps toward recovery.
