Wilkes Community College
A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. generous financial aid cuts net price well below sticker.
About This School
Wilkes Community College is a public institution located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina with approximately 1,881 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $-28 per year. Typical graduates earn $27,700 within 10 years of enrollment.
Wilkes Community College (WCC) is a public community college in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. It is part of the North Carolina Community College System and serves northwest North Carolina, in Alleghany, Ashe, and Wilkes counties. The college is best known as the site of the annual MerleFest music festival.
The numbers here are genuinely hard to argue with — after aid, the average student pays essentially nothing ($-28/year net price), and median debt at graduation is just $5,600, making this one of the most affordable paths to a credential you'll find anywhere. Worth considering seriously if you're looking to enter the workforce in northwest NC without taking on financial risk. The honest caveat is that median earnings of $27,700 a decade out are modest, so think carefully about which program you choose and whether it aligns with local job demand or a clear transfer pathway.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
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
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,881 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in North Carolina
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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC · Public
Appalachian State University
Boone, NC · Public
Wake Technical Community College
Raleigh, NC · Public
Sources & Methodology
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.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- 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.
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