- As a public, two-year, "open door" institution, Wilkes Community College is committed to providing comprehensive education and educational support services for people in Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. As a member of the North Carolina Community College System, the college seeks to enhance intellectual, economic, cultural, and social development through a variety of means, by providing quality education, training and retraining for the workforce, including basic skills education, occupational, technical, and pre-baccalaureate programs; support for economic development through services to business and industry, both public and private; and a variety of services and cultural activities that improve the quality of life.
School Highlights
Wilkes Community College serves 2,593 students (31% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the state community college average of 21:1.
Minority enrollment is 22% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 50%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Enrollment: 2,593 students
- In-state tuition: $2,444
- Out-state tuition: $8,588
- Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
- Minority enrollment: 22%
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Wilkes Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Completion Rates
School Overview
The teacher population of 205 teachers has declined by 45% over five years.
Wilkes 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
1964
Total Faculty
205 staff
129 staff
School Calendar
AccreditationAccred.
American Association of Community Colleges (AACC)
Student Body
The student population of Wilkes Community College has grown by 6% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 has increased from 7:1 over five years.
The Wilkes Community College diversity score of 0.37 is less than the state average of 0.68. The school's diversity has grown by 23% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,593 students
2,143 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
21:1
# Full-Time Students
810 students
650 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Part-Time Students
1,783 students
1,493 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Enrollment Undergraduate
2,593 students
1,887 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
810 students
650 students
Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,783 students
1,522 students
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
13%
14%
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Black
3%
22%
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% White
78%
50%
Showing 2010–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Two or more races
2%
3%
% Unknown races
2%
6%
Diversity Score
0.37
0.68
Showing 2011–2025. View full 19-year historical data
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
55%
37%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry (measured in 2022-2023, in 2024 dollars)
$40,188
$38,789
Points are in the dollars of their own College Scorecard release, and the colleges behind the state line differ by period. The lines do not show inflation-adjusted growth.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $2,444 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 $8,588 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,444
$3,915
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,588
$9,508
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
91%
79%
Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Median Debt for Graduates
$8,000
$11,865
Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,846
Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Wilkes Community College cost?
Wilkes Community College's tuition is approximately $2,444 for In-State students and $8,588 for Out-State students.
What schools are Wilkes Community College often compared to?
Wilkes Community Collegeis often viewed alongside schools like Surry Community College by visitors of our site.
What is Wilkes Community College's ranking?
Wilkes Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in North Carolina for: Highest completion rates.
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