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 1,273 students (43% of students are full-time).
  • The college's student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is same as the state community college average of 19:1.
  • Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority American), which is less than the state average of 38%.
  • Tri-County Community College is the only community colleges within Cherokee County, NC.
  • The nearest community college to Tri-County Community College is Durham Technical Community College (8.4 miles away).

School Overview

  • The teacher population of 68 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Tri-County Community College(NC) Community College Avg.
Institution LevelAt least 2 but less than 4 yearsAt least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution ControlPublicPublic
Total Faculty68 staff139 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 2015-16 school year data.

Student Body

  • The student population of Tri-County Community College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
  • The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 has stayed the same over five years.
  • The Tri-County Community College diversity score of 0.20 is less than the state average of 0.56. The school's diversity has grown by 17% over five years.
Total Enrollment1,273 students2,380 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 2015-16 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio19:119:1
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 2015-16 school year data.
# Full-Time Students550 students1,019 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 2015-16 school year data.
# Part-Time Students723 students1,361 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 2015-16 school year data.
% American Indian/Alaskan
6%
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 2015-16 school year data.
% Asian		-
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 2012-13 school year data.
% Hispanic
2%
6%
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 2015-16 school year data.
% Black
1%
21%
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 2015-16 school year data.
% White
89%
62%
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 2015-16 school year data.
% Unknown races
2%
6%
Diversity Score0.200.56
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 2015-16 school year data.
College Completion Rate
11%
16%
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 2014-15 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 $3,911. The in-state tuition has grown by 8% over four years.
  • The public out-state tuition of $8,507 is less than the state average of $9,514. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees$2,363$3,911
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 2015-16 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees$8,507$9,514
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 2015-16 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid16%78%
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 2015-16 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: 2016 (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

  • College Location Mi. Students
  • Durham Technical Community College
    Public
    5,035 students | 8.40 Mi1637 Lawson Street
    Durham,  NC  27703
    (919)536-7200     8.405,035
  • Alamance Community College
    Public
    4,437 students | 19.00 Mi1247 Jimmie Kerr Road
    Graham,  NC  27253
    (336)578-2002     19.004,437
  • Miller-Motte College-Cary
    Private, for profit
    316 students | 24.00 Mi2205 Walnut Street
    Cary,  NC  27518
    (919)532-7171     24.00316
  • Living Arts College
    Public
    400 students | 26.60 Mi3000 Wakefield Crossing Drive
    Raleigh,  NC  27614
    (800)288-7442     26.60400
  • William Peace University
    Private, non-profit
    1,077 students | 26.70 Mi15 E Peace St
    Raleigh,  NC  27604
    (919)508-2000     26.701,077
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Quick Stats (2020)
  • Students: 1,273 students
  • In-state tuition: $2,363
  • Out-state tuition: $8,507
  • Student:teacher ratio: 19:1
  • Minority enrollment: 11%
Did You Know?
For North Carolina public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,911 per year for in-state students and $9,514 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $16,515 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in North Carolina is 69%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

North Carolina community colleges have a diversity score of 0.56, which is lower than the national average of 0.65. The most diverse community college in North Carolina is Fayetteville Technical Community College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.
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