Western Piedmont Community College
Tel:
(828)438-6000
School Highlights
- Western Piedmont Community College serves 2,056 students (48% of students are full-time).
- The college's student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the state community college average of 19:1.
- Minority enrollment is 18% of the student body (majority Asian and Black), which is less than the state average of 38%.
- Western Piedmont Community College is the only community colleges within Burke County, NC.
- The nearest community college to Western Piedmont Community College is Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (14.7 miles away).
Top Placements
Western Piedmont Community College places among the top 20% of community colleges in North Carolina for:
- Category Attribute
- Debt For Students Least debt for graduating students
School Overview
- The teacher population of 164 teachers has grown by 9% over five years.
| Western Piedmont Community College | (NC) Community College Avg. | |
| Institution Level | At least 2 but less than 4 years | At least 2 but less than 4 years |
| Institution Control | Public | Public |
| Total Faculty | 164 staff | 139 staff |
| Total Enrollment | 2,056 students | 2,380 students |
 | ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 13:1 | 19:1 |
| # Full-Time Students | 997 students | 1,019 students |
| # Part-Time Students | 1,059 students | 1,361 students |
| % American Indian/Alaskan | 1% | 1% |
| % Asian | 9% | 2% |
| % Hispanic | 3% | 6% |
| % Black | 5% | 21% |
| % White | 82% | 62% |
| % Non Resident races | - | 1% |
| Diversity Score | 0.32 | 0.56 |
 | ||
| College Completion Rate | 19% | 16% |
| Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years) | $28,200 | $27,500 |
Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS
Nearby Schools
- The nearest community college to Western Piedmont Community College is Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (14.7 miles away).
- College Location Mi. Students
- 3,876 students | 14.70 Mi2855 Hickory Blvd.
Hudson, NC 28638
(828)726-2200 14.703,876 - 1,056 students | 16.00 Mi54 College Drive
Marion, NC 28752
(828)652-6021 16.001,056 - 4,742 students | 22.50 Mi2550 Hwy 70 SE
Hickory, NC 28602
(828)327-7000 22.504,742 - 1,128 students | 23.50 Mi200 Mayland Drive
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
23.501,128 - 2,057 students | 29.40 Mi286 ICC Loop Road
Spindale, NC 28160
8282863636 29.402,057
Recent Articles
The Online Education Initiative will greatly expand course offerings for community college students, while making the transfer process between institutions much more smooth. The Initiative has its critics, however, who decry the loss of local control over education.
A recent study reveals that job applicants with a credential or associate’s degree from a community college have slightly better chances of getting a job interview than students who attend a for-profit college or university. Since community colleges are much more budget friendly than for-profit institutions and have much better job placement results, community colleges are a much better option for employment-minded students.
After City College of San Francisco loses its accreditation, other community colleges in the state are facing warnings, sanctions and possible loss of accreditation as well.
