- Tri-County Community College is an accredited, comprehensive, publicly-supported, two-year post-secondary institution which operates in accordance with North Carolina Law and the administrative policies of the North Carolina Community College System. Located in the westernmost tip of North Carolina, the College serves commuter students in a remote, rural area consisting of Cherokee, Clay, and Graham Counties by providing college transfer, vocational, technical, and adult education programs.
School Highlights
Tri-County Community College serves 1,023 students (33% 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 19% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 50%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 1,023 students
- In-state tuition: $2,363
- Out-state tuition: $8,507
- Student-teacher ratio: 13:1
- Minority enrollment: 19%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 80 teachers has declined by 55% over five years.
Tri-County 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
Total Faculty
80 staff
129 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Tri-County Community College has declined by 19% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 13:1 has increased from 6:1 over five years.
The Tri-County Community College diversity score of 0.33 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 29% over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,023 students
2,143 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
21:1
# Full-Time Students
339 students
650 students
# Part-Time Students
684 students
1,493 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
697 students
295 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
339 students
650 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
684 students
1,517 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
1%
% Asian
1%
3%
% Hispanic
8%
14%
% Black
2%
22%
% White
81%
50%
% Two or more races
3%
3%
% Unknown races
3%
6%
Diversity Score
0.33
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
37%
37%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$24,300
$27,200
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $2,363 is less than the state average of $3,915. The in-state tuition has declined by 10% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $8,507 is less than the state average of $9,508. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$2,363
$3,915
Out-State Tuition Fees
$8,507
$9,508
Tuition Notes
in_state:$1,216.00 for 16 or more hours
out_of_state:$4,288.00 for 16 or more hours
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
79%
79%
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,500
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$9,500
$6,000
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- The roots of Tri-County Community College date back to mid 1964, when political and educational leaders of Cherokee County met with representatives of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Institute. That same year, the North Carolina State Board of Education approved The Tri-County Industrial Education Center to operate as a part of the State Department of Community Colleges. Tri-County Community College have two campuses. Both are located in areas of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains that are among the most beautiful and charming places on earth. Quality of life is high. Costs are low. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, attracting visitors from around the world, year-round. We have no residential facilities on campus, but there are plenty of folks near us who can accommodate student housing needs. Academic programs currently being offered are designed within one of the following general categories: Technical-Programs classified as technical confer an Associate in Applied Science Degree. These programs are normally four or five semesters in length; General Education- The general education program confers an Associate Degree. This program is normally four semesters in length, and it is designed for those individuals who normally desire only two years of college; College Transfer- The program classified as college transfer confers an Associate in Arts Degree. This program is normally four semesters in length and is designed for individuals who plan to transfer to a senior institution for completion of a four year degree. The college is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Tri-County Community College cost?
Tri-County Community College's tuition is approximately $2,363 for In-State students and $8,507 for Out-State students.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Tri-County Community College is Young Harris College (12.0 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Young Harris College
Private, for profit
1 College Street
Young Harris, GA 30582
(706) 379-3111
Young Harris, GA 30582
(706) 379-3111
12.0 miles
Enrollment: 1,744 students Acceptance rate: 75% Private-state tuition: $30,317 Minority enrollment: 36%
Truett McConnell University
Private not-for-profit
100 Alumni Dr
Cleveland, GA 30528
(706) 865-2134
Cleveland, GA 30528
(706) 865-2134
33.9 miles
Enrollment: 2,615 students Student-teacher ratio: 27:1 Acceptance rate: 78% Private-state tuition: $17,400 Minority enrollment: 26%
1500 Georgia Hwy 197 N
Clarkesville, GA 30523
(706) 754-7700
Clarkesville, GA 30523
(706) 754-7700
38.5 miles
Enrollment: 2,599 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 In-state tuition: $2,684 Out-state tuition: $4,820 Minority enrollment: 22%
TCAT Athens
Public
1635 Technology Way
Athens, TN 37371
(423) 744-2814
Athens, TN 37371
(423) 744-2814
45.7 miles
Enrollment: 366 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 Acceptance rate: 90% Minority enrollment: 19%
447 College Drive
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 339-4000
Sylva, NC 28779
(828) 339-4000
47.1 miles
Enrollment: 2,157 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 In-state tuition: $2,046 Out-state tuition: $6,672 Minority enrollment: 27%
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