Catawba Valley Community College
About Catawba Valley Community College
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
Catawba Valley Community College teaches in Hickory, in the furniture country of North Carolina, and sends better than a third of its students on to a four-year college. Nursing and allied health are its largest programs.
Founded
1958
Location
Hickory, North Carolina
Students
2,741
Institution
Community College
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
Open
Admits all qualified applicants
Graduation Rate
35.2%
Below national average
In-State Tuition
$2,427
Out-of-state: $7,803
Avg Net Price
$10,528
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not required
No test scores requested
Median Earnings
$36,977
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Open Admission
Every applicant who meets the basic requirements is admitted, so there is no acceptance rate
How to Apply
Test Policy
No test needed
Application Fee
Free
Early
N/A
Deadline
Rolling
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Below Average
35.2% complete their degree within three years
Retention
64.9%
Transfer Out
36%
Teaching Quality
13:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
21.9%
$/Student
$8.7K
Class Size
Medium
The 35.2% graduation rate is below average, but 64.9% of freshmen return for year two. Students are staying, even if completion takes longer than four years.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$2,427
In-State
$7,803
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
No on-campus housing
Books & Supplies
$1,870
Total Cost of Attendance
$20,446
After Financial Aid
$10,528
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$9,170
Receive Grants
28.4%
Take Loans
0%
Tuition is $2,427/yr, and after aid the average student pays about $10,528.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at Catawba Valley Community College fund their education.
While in School
28.4%
Get Grants
Free money
0%
Take Loans
Must repay
$22,585
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$4,938
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$52/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
The median debt is just $4,938, and less than 0% of graduates default on their loans. Students here leave with very manageable financial obligations.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends Catawba Valley Community College.
Gender
54.8%
Female
45%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
2,741
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
N/A
Graduates
49.5%
First-Gen
24 yrs
Avg Age
15.4%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (55% women, 45% men). 49.5% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Small
Campus Quick Facts
2,741
Students
community
Institution
Small
Campus Size
N/A
Classification
What This College Offers
Semester calendar
Study Abroad
No
AP Credit
Yes
Teacher Cert
No
ROTC
No
Evening College
Yes
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
Catawba Valley Community College fields 4 varsity teams with 93 student athletes, about 3% of the student body.
Division
NJCAA
Division II
Conference
Not reported
Only collected for NCAA and NAIA teams
Varsity Sports
4
Biggest: Baseball
Student Athletes
93
3% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
80% / 20%
74
Men
19
Women
3
Men's Teams
2
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of Catawba Valley Community Collegeearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$36,977
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$24K
437 grads
1yr Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
$65K
64 grads
1yr Earnings
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
$52K
40 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$41K
32 grads
1yr Earnings
Precision Metal Working
—
28 grads
Health and Medical Administrative Services
$29K
22 grads
1yr Earnings
Median earnings are $37K ten years after enrollment. Choosing a high-demand major can significantly boost your earning potential from here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Catawba Valley Community College
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Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.