Central Piedmont Community College is a public 2-year college in Charlotte, North Carolina with 15,067 undergraduates. It has open admission, costs an average of $1,741 a year after grants and graduates 38% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Central Piedmont Community College acceptance rate and admissions
Central Piedmont 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.
Central Piedmont Community College tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $2,454 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $7,062 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $11,351 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $1,741 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $1,741 a year after grants and scholarships, $9,610 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 Central Piedmont Community College's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Central Piedmont Community College graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 38% of first-time, full-time students finished within three years (students who started in 2022).
- Former students earned a median of $43,413 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
Earnings compared
Trade and career programs at Central Piedmont 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary arts | Certificate | 291 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Certificate | 279 | n/a | $55,919 | n/a |
| Welding | Certificate | 277 | n/a | $39,989 | n/a |
| Construction trades | Certificate | 173 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Electrician | Certificate | 156 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Associate degree | 76 | $55,646 | $62,210 | n/a |
| HVAC | Certificate | 53 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cosmetology and barbering | Certificate | 52 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Associate degree | 51 | $61,826 | $74,004 | n/a |
| Medical assistant | Associate degree | 47 | $46,293 | $50,210 | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Certificate | 47 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Medical assistant | Certificate | 41 | n/a | $38,607 | n/a |
| Heavy equipment mechanic | Certificate | 32 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dental assisting and hygiene | Certificate | 31 | $40,235 | $35,809 | n/a |
| Construction trades | Associate degree | 30 | $62,526 | $71,413 | n/a |
| Culinary arts | Associate degree | 26 | $33,470 | $34,705 | n/a |
| Dental assisting and hygiene | Associate degree | 23 | n/a | $60,072 | n/a |
| Medical billing and coding | Certificate | 23 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Paralegal | Associate degree | 20 | $41,264 | $43,452 | n/a |
| Cosmetology and barbering | Associate degree | 18 | $24,015 | $26,550 | n/a |
| Welding | Associate degree | 18 | n/a | $53,400 | n/a |
| Medical billing and coding | Associate degree | 18 | $39,436 | $41,911 | n/a |
| LPN and CNA | Certificate | 18 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Paralegal | Certificate | 15 | $49,125 | n/a | n/a |
| HVAC | Associate degree | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Phlebotomy and medical lab | Certificate | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Phlebotomy and medical lab | Associate degree | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Electrician | Associate degree | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 15,067 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 58% women, 42% men
- 15 students for every faculty member
- Setting: large city
- Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard to get into Central Piedmont Community College?
No. Central Piedmont Community College has open admission for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs may have extra requirements.
How much does Central Piedmont Community College cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $2,454 for in-state students and $7,062 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $1,741 a year in 2024-25.
What is the graduation rate at Central Piedmont Community College?
38% of first-time, full-time students finished within three years.
How much do Central Piedmont Community College graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $43,413 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in North Carolina · colleges in Charlotte · Central Piedmont 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.