HomeNorth CarolinaWelding schools › McDowell Technical Community College

McDowell Technical Community College

Marion, North Carolina · public · mainly awards associate degrees · 608 students · WeldingMachining & CNCHVACElectricianElectrical LinemanDiesel MechanicsAutomotive TechnologyAviation MaintenancePractical Nursing (LPN/LVN)CosmetologyBarberingEMT & ParamedicRadiologic TechnologyCarpentry

Avg net price / yr
$7,784
cheaper than 56% of comparable schools
Completion rate
34.4%
Median debt at completion
not reported
Median earnings (10 yrs after entry)
$33,035
earns ~$4,244 per $1k of yearly net price

About

McDowell Technical Community College is a public school in Marion, NC, that mainly awards associate degrees. With an average annual net price of $7,784, it serves students pursuing hands-on training in fields like nursing, HVAC, and electrical work. The school reports a 27.1% share of students receiving Pell Grants.

What to know

The average annual net price after aid is $7,784, while the median student debt at completion is not reported. Completion rates are listed at 34.4%, a figure that may undercount transfer students at public community colleges. Ten years after entry, median earnings are reported at $33,035.

Net price is 21% above the North Carolina median ($6,448) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 14% below the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.

See what aid you may qualify for

27.1% of students here receive federal Pell Grants. Get aid deadlines and program matches for Welding programs in North Carolina.

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Programs & what graduates earn

ProgramCredentialMedian earnings 2 yrs after completion
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistantsundergraduate certificate$40,821
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Carpentersundergraduate certificatenot reported
Electrical and Power Transmission Installersundergraduate certificatenot reported
Electrical and Power Transmission Installersassociate degreenot reported
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)undergraduate certificatenot reported
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)associate degreenot reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Precision Metal Workingundergraduate certificatenot reported
Precision Metal Workingassociate degreenot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professionsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professionsassociate degreenot reported
Show all 31 other programs at this school
ProgramCredentialMedian earnings (2 yr after completion)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursingassociate degree$55,512
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Computer and Information Sciences, Generalundergraduate certificatenot reported
Computer and Information Sciences, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Information Science/Studiesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Information Science/Studiesassociate degreenot reported
Educational Administration and Supervisionundergraduate certificatenot reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methodsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methodsassociate degreenot reported
Engineering, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Generalundergraduate certificatenot reported
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Generalassociate degreenot reported
Electromechanical Technologies/Techniciansundergraduate certificatenot reported
Electromechanical Technologies/Techniciansassociate degreenot reported
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanitiesassociate degreenot reported
Criminal Justice and Correctionsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Homeland Securityundergraduate certificatenot reported
Homeland Securityassociate degreenot reported
Security Science and Technologyundergraduate certificatenot reported
Security Science and Technologyassociate degreenot reported
Design and Applied Artsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Design and Applied Artsassociate degreenot reported
Health and Medical Administrative Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Health and Medical Administrative Servicesassociate degreenot reported
Health/Medical Preparatory Programsassociate degreenot reported
Business Administration, Management and Operationsundergraduate certificatenot reported
Business Administration, Management and Operationsassociate degreenot reported
Accounting and Related Servicesundergraduate certificatenot reported
Accounting and Related Servicesassociate degreenot reported

Get paid while you train instead

Registered apprenticeships are an alternative to paying for school — sponsors pay wages from day one. In North Carolina:

Questions students ask

What credential levels are available for the Practical Nursing program?
The Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants program is offered as an undergraduate certificate.
What are the typical earnings for graduates of the Practical Nursing program?
Median earnings 2 years after completion for Practical Nursing graduates are reported at $40,821.
How many students typically complete their studies at this school?
The completion rate is reported as 34.4%.
Is McDowell Technical Community College a public or private institution?
The school is a public institution.
What other programs does the school offer beyond the listed trades?
The school offers additional programs, including associate degrees in cosmetology and HVACR, plus 37 more programs.

Other options in North Carolina

SchoolCityNet price / yrCompletionEarnings (10 yr)
College of the AlbemarleElizabeth City$2,25334%$33,234
South Piedmont Community CollegePolkton$6,67526.9%$37,308
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeAsheville$11,60233.6%$36,048
Beaufort County Community CollegeWashington$6,50042.7%$32,519
Bladen Community CollegeDublin$9,55123.7%$30,591
Blue Ridge Community CollegeFlat Rock$5,75648.8%$36,324
Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (most recent release, pulled July 2026), school ID 198923. Figures are federally reported medians and may lag current prices. "Not reported" means the federal dataset suppresses or lacks the value — often due to small cohort sizes. How we compute comparisons. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency or school.