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Central Piedmont Community College

Charlotte, NC·Public·13,640 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and in-state North Carolina residents. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 13,640 students.

N/A
Accept
13,640
Students
$3,660
Net Price
N/A
Grad Rate
$31,700
Earnings
10 yr
$5,500
Debt

About This School

Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina with approximately 13,640 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $3,660 per year. Typical graduates earn $31,700 within 10 years of enrollment.

Central Piedmont Community College is a public community college in Charlotte, North Carolina. With an enrollment of more than 40,000 students annually, Central Piedmont is the second-largest community college in the North Carolina Community College System and the largest in the Charlotte metropolitan area. The college has six campuses and three centers and offers nearly 300 degree, diploma and certificate programs.

At just $3,660 per year after aid and with median debt of only $5,500 at graduation, this is one of the most affordable paths to a credential in the Charlotte area — and with nearly 300 programs across six campuses, there's genuine range here. The honest concern is the post-graduation earnings figure: the median is $31,700 ten years out, which is modest, so the value really depends on using Central Piedmont as a stepping stone to a four-year transfer or a specific high-demand trade, not as a final destination for every career goal.

Founded
1963
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Health Professions12%
Business & Marketing8%
Visual & Performing Arts6%
Computer Science4%
Education3%
Engineering1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Jay Thomas

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$2,792
Out-of-State Tuition
$8,936
Avg Net Price
$3,660
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants39%
Median debt at graduation$5,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
N/A
within 6 years
Retention Rate
N/A
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$31,700
after enrollment
Median Debt
$5,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$5,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$25,800
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$31,700
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 5.8x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White34%
Black29%
Hispanic/Latino20%
Asian4%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (13,640 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Central Piedmont Community College

1201 Elizabeth Avenue

Charlotte, NC 28204

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in North Carolina

Browse all North Carolina schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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