Tri-County Community College

21 Campus Circle
Murphy, NC 28906
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Tel: (828) 837-6810
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  • Tri-County Community College is an accredited, comprehensive, publicly-supported, two-year post-secondary institution which operates in accordance with North Carolina Law and the administrative policies of the North Carolina Community College System. Located in the westernmost tip of North Carolina, the College serves commuter students in a remote, rural area consisting of Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties by providing college transfer, vocational, technical, and adult education programs.

School Highlights

Tri-County Community College serves 963 students (43% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 14:1 is lower than the state community college average of 18:1.
Minority enrollment is 10% of the student body (majority Hispanic and American), which is less than the state average of 45%.

School Overview

The teacher population of 68 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Tri-County Community College(NC) Community College Avg.
Carnegie ClassificationAssociate's Colleges: High Transfer-High NontraditionalBaccalaureate / Associates Colleges
Institution LevelAt least 2 but less than 4 yearsAt least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution ControlPublicPublic
Total Faculty68 staff141 staff
This chart display total faculty of Tri-County Community College and community college average number of faculty in NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Tri-County Community College has declined by 24% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 14:1 has decreased from 23:1 over five years.
The Tri-County Community College diversity score of 0.19 is less than the state average of 0.63. The school's diversity has declined by 6% over five years.
Total Enrollment963 students2,123 students
This chart display the total enrollment of Tri-County Community College and community college average number of enrollment of NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio14:118:1
This chart display the student staff ratio of Tri-County Community College and community college average student staff ratio of NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
# Full-Time Students413 students761 students
This chart display the total number of Full-Time students enrollment of Tri-County Community College and average number of community college Full-Time students enrollment of NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
# Part-Time Students550 students1,362 students
This chart display the total number of Part-Time students enrollment of Tri-County Community College and average number of community college Part-Time students enrollment of NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
This chart display the Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Tri-County Community College. This chart display community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of NC.
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
1%
This chart display the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Tri-County Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Asian
1%
2%
This chart display the percentage of Asian students in Tri-County Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Hispanic
3%
10%
This chart display the percentage of Hispanic students in Tri-County Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Black
1%
22%
This chart display the percentage of Black students in Tri-County Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% White
90%
55%
This chart display the percentage of White students in Tri-County Community College and the percentage of White community college students in NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Two or more races
1%
3%
% Non Resident races
1%
2%
% Unknown races
1%
5%
This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Tri-County Community College. This chart display the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in NC.
Diversity Score0.190.63
This chart display the diversity score of Tri-County Community College and the community college average diversity score of NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
College Completion Rate
23%
25%
This chart display completion rates for First-Time of Full-Time students of Tri-County Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-Time students of NC by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)$24,300$27,500
This chart display average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Tri-County 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.

Finances and Admission

The public in-state tuition of $2,363 is less than the state average of $2,528. The in-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,507 is more than the state average of $8,242. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees$2,363$2,528
This chart display tuition fees for an in-state student of Tri-County Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees$8,507$8,242
This chart display tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Tri-County Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid84%77%
This chart display the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Tri-County Community College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in NC by year, with the latest 2018-19 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates$11,500$10,500
This chart display median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Tri-County Community College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in NC by year, with the latest 2014-15 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts$9,500$6,000
This chart display median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Tri-County 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 2014-15 school year data.
Source: 2019 (or latest year available) IPEDS

School Notes

  • The roots of Tri-County Community College date back to mid 1964, when political and educational leaders of Cherokee County met with representatives of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute. That same year, the North Carolina State Board of Education approved The Tri-County Industrial Education Center to operate as a part of the State Department of Community Colleges. Tri-County Community College have two campuses. Both are located in areas of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains that are among the most beautiful and charming places on earth. Quality of life is high. Costs are low. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, attracting visitors from around the world, year-round. We have no residential facilities on campus, but there are plenty of folks near us who can accommodate student housing needs. Academic programs currently being offered are designed within one of the following general categories: Technical-Programs classified as technical confer an Associate in Applied Science Degree. These programs are normally four or five semesters in length; General Education- The general education program confers an Associate Degree. This program is normally four semesters in length, and it is designed for those individuals who normally desire only two years of college; College Transfer- The program classified as college transfer confers an Associate in Arts Degree. This program is normally four semesters in length and is designed for individuals who plan to transfer to a senior institution for completion of a four year degree. The college is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees.

Nearby Schools

The nearest community college to Tri-County Community College is Young Harris College (12.0 miles away).
  • College Location Mi. Students
  • Young Harris College
    Public
    1,425 students | 12.00 Mi1 College Street
    Young Harris,  GA  30582
    (800) 241-3754     12.001,425
  • Truett McConnell University
    Private not-for-profit
    3,001 students | 33.90 Mi100 Alumni Dr
    Cleveland,  GA  30528
    (706) 865-2134     33.903,001
  • North Georgia Technical College
    Public
    2,612 students | 38.50 Mi1500 Georgia Hwy 197 N
    Clarkesville,  GA  30523
    (706) 754-7700     38.502,612
  • Hiwassee College
    Hiwassee College Photo - Rymer Student Life Center
    Public
    253 students | 40.60 Mi225 Hiwassee College Drive
    Madisonville,  TN  37354
    (423) 442-2001     40.60253
  • Southwestern Community College
    Southwestern Community College Photo - SCC Students
    Public
    2,366 students | 47.10 Mi447 College Drive
    Sylva,  NC  28779
    (828) 339-4000     47.102,366
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Quick Stats (2021)
  • Students: 963 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,363
  • Out-state tuition: $8,507
  • Student:teacher ratio: 14:1
  • Minority enrollment: 10%
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TCCC WEB-120 October 29, 2013 Tri County Community College 15:16

TCCC WEB-120 October 29, 2013 Tri County Community College

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Movie Progress Video for NOS130 At Tri County Community College (TCCC)

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Did You Know?
For North Carolina public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $2,528 per year for in-state students and $8,242 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $23,630 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 0.63, which is lower than the national average of 0.73. The most diverse community college in North Carolina is Richmond Community College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.
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