McDowell Technical Community College is a public institution offering associate degrees based in Marion, North Carolina. It enrolls 608 students (a small, tight-knit student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
AccreditorSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Academic CalendarSemester
How It Measures Up
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (2-Year). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Strong
71/100
UCD Score · 2-Year
Outcomes66
Value58
Affordability47
Selectivity—
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
As a two-year college, McDowell Technical Community College generally admits all qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
Open
SAT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
—
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending McDowell Technical Community College isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $7,784 per year. That's well below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$7,784
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
27%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
0%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$2,032
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$6,640
Room & Board (off-campus)
$11,943
Books & Supplies
$1,750
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$6,192
Total Cost of Attendance
$18,783
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$7,084
$30,001 – $48,000
$7,478
$48,001 – $75,000
$9,301
$75,001 – $110,000
$13,766
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,50025%percentile
$8,34975%percentile
What this means:
27% of students receive Pell grants. Most cost is borne by families above Pell thresholds. Verify your individual aid offer before deciding.
Graduation Rate & Retention
23% of full-time students who enrolled at McDowell Technical Community College graduate within six years, and 76% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
23%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
76%
Returning for their second year
What this means:
Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered McDowell Technical Community College earn a median of $33,035 ten years after first enrolling. That's below the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$33,035
Earning > $25K
56%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$26,300
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$31,300
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
What this means:
Solid return on investment. Every dollar of net annual cost is matched by ~$4.2 of median earnings 10 years out.
Who Studies Here
McDowell Technical Community College is home to 608 students, a small, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 50% are first-generation college students, 73% study part-time.
Total Enrolled
608
Part-Time
73%
First-Generation
50%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 76.2%463
Hispanic 12.3%75
Black 4.8%29
Other 3.0%18
Asian 1.3%8
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at McDowell Technical Community College. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Rural: FringeMarion, North Carolina
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
26%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
McDowell Technical Community College offers
a varied set of programs:
26 distinct programs across
12 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at McDowell Technical Community College is 12:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
12:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$14,050
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$783,097
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$49,567
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
42 instructional faculty across 1 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Instructors
42
100%
$49,567
Pros & Cons of McDowell Technical Community College
A quick at-a-glance summary of how McDowell Technical Community College tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Very affordable net price after aid
Open admissions
Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
Tight-knit, close community feel
First-gen-friendly student body
Flexible part-time enrollment options
CONS
Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
Modest first-year retention
Below-average post-graduation earnings
Mostly part-time student body, less full-time campus feel
Best for:
Based on the data, McDowell Technical Community College is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier; families focused on keeping net cost low; working adults or students needing part-time study options.
Frequently Asked Questions about McDowell Technical Community College
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about McDowell Technical Community College.
Is McDowell Technical Community College hard to get into?
McDowell Technical Community College has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted.
What is the acceptance rate at McDowell Technical Community College?
McDowell Technical Community College has an acceptance rate of 0%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
How much does McDowell Technical Community College cost?
The average net price after aid at McDowell Technical Community College is $7,784 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is McDowell Technical Community College worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $33,035 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $7,784 per year. That's roughly 4.2x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is McDowell Technical Community College known for?
McDowell Technical Community College is best known for its programs in Liberal Arts, Practical Nursing, Business Administration. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do McDowell Technical Community College graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering McDowell Technical Community College are $33,035, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is McDowell Technical Community College accredited?
Yes. McDowell Technical Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many students attend McDowell Technical Community College?
McDowell Technical Community College enrolls 608 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at McDowell Technical Community College?
McDowell Technical Community College graduates 23% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is McDowell Technical Community College a public or private college?
McDowell Technical Community College is a Public institution.
Where is McDowell Technical Community College located?
McDowell Technical Community College is located in Marion, North Carolina.
What programs does McDowell Technical Community College offer?
McDowell Technical Community College offers 26 distinct programs. The most popular include Liberal Arts, Practical Nursing, Business Administration.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at McDowell Technical Community College?
The student-to-faculty ratio at McDowell Technical Community College is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in North Carolina
Other colleges in North Carolina share the same applicant pool, regional economy, and academic landscape. Comparing nearby options puts admissions, costs, and outcomes in context, useful when weighing your fit against local alternatives.
Liberal Arts
Teacher Education (K-12)
Business Administration
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