Cape Fear Community College is a public 2-year college in Wilmington, North Carolina with 9,764 undergraduates. It has open admission, costs an average of $6,156 a year after grants and graduates 42% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Cape Fear Community College acceptance rate and admissions
Cape Fear Community College has open admission: it admits students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs, such as nursing or other health fields, can have their own entry requirements.
Cape Fear Community College tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $2,772 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $8,916 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $13,161 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $6,156 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $6,156 a year after grants and scholarships, $7,005 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Cape Fear Community College's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Cape Fear Community College graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 42% of first-time, full-time students finished within three years (students who started in 2022).
- Former students earned a median of $41,969 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $9,500 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 23% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Trade and career programs at Cape Fear Community College
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetology and barbering | Certificate | 143 | $25,092 | $28,983 | $4,750 |
| Welding | Certificate | 66 | $38,927 | n/a | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Associate degree | 49 | $58,285 | $60,921 | $11,166 |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Certificate | 45 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Paralegal | Certificate | 37 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical billing and coding | Certificate | 37 | $35,067 | n/a | n/a |
| HVAC | Certificate | 28 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical assistant | Associate degree | 27 | $41,134 | n/a | n/a |
| Construction trades | Associate degree | 21 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| LPN and CNA | Certificate | 21 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Culinary arts | Associate degree | 17 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical billing and coding | Associate degree | 17 | $32,054 | $39,940 | n/a |
| Electrician | Certificate | 16 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dental assisting and hygiene | Certificate | 15 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Electrician | Associate degree | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Associate degree | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Plumbing | Certificate | 13 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Carpentry | Certificate | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dental assisting and hygiene | Associate degree | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Construction trades | Certificate | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Welding | Associate degree | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Paralegal | Associate degree | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical assistant | Certificate | 6 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cosmetology and barbering | Associate degree | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Certificate | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Culinary arts | Certificate | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 9,764 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 61% women, 39% men
- 13 students for every faculty member
- Setting: midsize city
- Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to get into Cape Fear Community College?
No. Cape Fear Community College has open admission for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs may have extra requirements.
How much does Cape Fear Community College cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $2,772 for in-state students and $8,916 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $6,156 a year in 2024-25.
What is the graduation rate at Cape Fear Community College?
42% of first-time, full-time students finished within three years.
How much do Cape Fear Community College graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $41,969 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in North Carolina · Cape Fear Community College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.