Trade and career programs at Wilkes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding | Certificate | 86 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Certificate | 84 | $34,422 | $40,216 | n/a |
| Culinary arts | Certificate | 48 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Construction trades | Certificate | 45 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Associate degree | 24 | $53,051 | $57,849 | n/a |
| Dental assisting and hygiene | Certificate | 16 | $31,287 | n/a | n/a |
| Medical assistant | Certificate | 11 | $31,985 | n/a | n/a |
| Culinary arts | Associate degree | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Construction trades | Associate degree | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Associate degree | 9 | n/a | $47,738 | n/a |
| Medical assistant | Associate degree | 9 | n/a | $30,091 | n/a |
| Heavy equipment mechanic | Associate degree | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Wilkes Community College cost
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $2,572 |
|---|---|
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $10,787 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | Not reported |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | Not reported |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | Not reported |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $3,534 |
| Over $110,000 | Not reported |
Program prices often differ from the school-wide figure, and tools, uniforms or licensing exams can add to them. Ask the school for the full price of the program you want.
Outcomes and students
- 61% of first-time, full-time students finished within 150% of the normal program length (students who started in fall 2022 or the 2022-23 year).
- 69% of first-time students came back or finished after the first year.
- Former students earned a median of $40,188 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- 40% of students receive a federal Pell Grant.
- Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Wilkes Community College cost?
Tuition and fees are $2,572 a year (2025-26).
What is the completion rate at Wilkes Community College?
61% of first-time, full-time students finished within 150% of the normal time for their program.
How much do Wilkes Community College graduates earn?
EMT, surgical tech and imaging associate degree graduates had the highest median earnings of the programs we track: $53,051 one year after finishing.
Is Wilkes Community College accredited?
Wilkes Community College is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, according to the Department of Education.
Other trade schools nearby
- Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh: $2,284 a year
- Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville: $2,344 a year
- Pitt Community College, Winterville: $2,680 a year
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville: $2,882 a year
- Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Salisbury: $2,080 a year
- Gaston College, Dallas: $3,229 a year
More: all trade schools in North Carolina · Wilkes Community College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (institution and field of study files), data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. What each figure covers.