McDowell Technical Community College logo

McDowell Technical Community College

Marion, NC·Public·https://www.mcdowelltech.edu/

Campus Identity

Lake LifeVery Safe

McDowell Technical Community College is a public community college in Marion, NC. The campus sits on Lake James, just 4 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 33 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 100/100 (Very Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

McDowell Technical Community College is a public community college in Marion, NC. The campus sits on Lake James, just 4 miles from the water. Ski resorts are within 33 miles of campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 100/100 (Very Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

N/A
Acceptance Rate
N/A
ACT Score (50th %ile)
$2,032
2024-25 Tuition
In-state rate
$7,784
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
N/A
Room & Board
N/A
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
N/A
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
N/A
Graduation Rate

Campus Lifestyle

McDowell Technical Community College is a 1,000–4,999, rural school. The campus is 33 miles from Sugar Mountain Resort.

School Size & Setting

1,000–4,999

Rural setting

Ski Access

33 miles

Sugar Mountain Resort

Weather

Warm Climate

52°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

McDowell Technical Community College students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Sugar Mountain Resort, 33 miles away with 8 lifts and 125 skiable acres. All are within 35 miles of campus.

Sugar Mountain Resort

North Carolina

33 mi away
125 skiable acres8 lifts
Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

North Carolina

33 mi away
65 skiable acres4 lifts
Hawksnest Snow Tubing

North Carolina

35 mi away

Lake Life Campus

Lake James is 4 miles from campus, making it a true lake-life school, giving McDowell Technical Community College students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake James

Lake access within 4.4 miles

4 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Marion, NC

Marion has a mild climate, with winters averaging 39°F in Jan and summers peaking around 76°F in Jul.

39°Jan42°Feb49°Mar58°Apr65°May73°Jun76°Jul75°Aug70°Sep59°Oct49°Nov41°Dec

Station: MARION · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

McDowell Technical Community College in NC earns a composite safety score of 100/100, rated Very Safe among U.S. colleges.

100/100
Very Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety100100100
100/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
100/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
100/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$2,032$6,640
Fees
$102$102
Total
$2,134$6,742
In-StateOut-of-State
$7,784avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

45 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesAssociate's
103 grads/yr$42,366
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing AssistantsCertificate
28 grads/yr$58,008
Precision Metal WorkingCertificate
27 grads/yr
Accounting and Related ServicesCertificate
24 grads/yr
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming ServicesCertificate
20 grads/yr

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Associate's11 grads$75,207
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
Certificate28 grads$58,008
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Associate's103 grads$42,366
Precision Metal Working
Certificate27 grads
Accounting and Related Services
Certificate24 grads
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services
Certificate20 grads
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Associate's14 grads
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)
Certificate13 grads
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Certificate12 grads
Homeland Security
Certificate10 grads

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is McDowell Technical Community College located?

McDowell Technical Community College is located in Marion, NC. The main campus address is 54 College Drive, Marion, NC. It is a public institution offering 2-year associate degree programs.

How much does it cost to attend McDowell Technical Community College?

For the 2024-25 academic year, McDowell Technical Community College charges $2,032/year for in-state students and $6,640/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board, the total estimated cost is approximately $6,534/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $7,784/year — what students actually pay. Use McDowell Technical Community College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

Is McDowell Technical Community College the right fit for me?

Whether McDowell Technical Community College is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions requirements, avg net price ($7,784/year after aid), campus culture in Marion, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh McDowell Technical Community College against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with McDowell Technical Community College directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
Marion, NC
Size
1,000–4,999
Degrees Offered
Associate's, Certificates
School Year Weather
Warm · 52°F avg
On Campus Safety Score
100/100
Nearest Airport
Hickory, NC (HKY) · 33 mialso AVL (36 mi), GSP (55 mi)

Location

Marion, NC

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.