Western Piedmont Community College campus
Western Piedmont Community College logo

Western Piedmont Community College

Type 2 year, Public
Campus locale City: Small
Degrees offered Undergraduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Small
Student to faculty ratio 9 to 1
Students retention rate 58%
On-time graduation rate 51%

Located in Morganton, North Carolina, WPCC is a public, institution that offers undergraduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

One of the notable aspects of Western Piedmont Community College is its open admission policy. This means that all high school graduates and individuals who hold a GED qualification are eligible to apply for admission. This inclusive approach allows a wide range of students to pursue their higher education goals, regardless of their academic background.

Western Piedmont Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

With a students-to-faculty ratio of 9-to-1, WPCC emphasizes small class sizes, fostering a supportive and interactive learning environment.

The retention rate of students at WPCC is 58% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in North Carolina is 80%, while the national average is 61%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at WPCC do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

In-State Tuition & Fees

$2,630

Cost of attendance at Western Piedmont Community College in 2022 for students from North Carolina.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 2 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

North Carolina's average $7,237
National average $4,604

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$8,774

Cost of attendance at Western Piedmont Community College in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 2 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

North Carolina's average $20,075
National average $8,757

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 76 of freshman students at Western Piedmont Community College received on average $9,469 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$9,469
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 51 69% $8,320 $424,329
Other Federal Grant 56 76% $8,856 $495,957
State Grant/Scholarships 14 19% $2,424 $33,931
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 2 3% $188 $375
Total Grant & Scholarships 56 76% $9,469 $530,263

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Western Piedmont Community College students who enrolled in 2018 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Western Piedmont Community College students is 50.6%. Female students graduated at a rate of 52.8%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 48.3%.

50.6%

  • asian 35.7% 5 students
  • white 51.8% 74 students
  • hispanic 61.5% 8 students

Service Offerings

Western Piedmont Community College provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Western Piedmont Community College offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Occupational
  • Postbaccalaureate Recreational or avocational education
  • Adult basic remedial or high school equivalent

Veteran Services

  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Credit for military training