Career Training Path › North Carolina › Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Asheville, North Carolina · Public technical college
Address: 340 Victoria Rd, Asheville, NC 28801 · Phone: (828) 254-1921 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is a public trade and career school in Asheville, NC, offering culinary, auto mechanic, and welding programs, accredited by SACS.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Asheville-Buncombe Tech has a 39.8% completion rate (below the 47.8% state average), with median graduate debt of $15,528 and median earnings of $36,048 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for this campus; federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, is accepted, and 36.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefs and head cooks | $38,210 | $61,130 | $76,330 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,500 | $48,200 | $63,170 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,540 | $50,590 | $60,870 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,780 | $57,260 | $64,310 |
| Electricians | $40,130 | $56,800 | $61,920 |
| Medical assistants | $36,010 | $45,140 | $47,500 |
| Dental assistants | $38,240 | $50,380 | $57,720 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $35,190 | $44,250 | $49,310 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $52,860 | $74,450 | $83,340 |
| Skincare specialists | $25,570 | $39,120 | $57,000 |
| Dental hygienists | $77,270 | $97,850 | $100,930 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $22,150 | $34,740 | $46,650 |
| Phlebotomists | $35,210 | $43,330 | $46,860 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $26,880 | $38,410 | $48,300 |
| Construction laborers | $31,850 | $44,720 | $49,070 |
| Machinists | $37,110 | $55,230 | $62,680 |
| Surgical technologists | $45,990 | $60,920 | $68,520 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in North Carolina (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 43 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 39 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 28 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 25 | $32,244 | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 22 | $19,902 | $21,781 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 20 | $47,186 | $54,153 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 19 | $26,819 | $26,285 | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | $19,902 | $21,781 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 16 | $29,566 | $26,739 | $21,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 14 | $44,497 | $42,263 | $20,000 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | $19,902 | $21,781 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 12 | $26,819 | $26,285 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 11 | $29,566 | $26,739 | $21,000 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 10 | $44,497 | $42,263 | $20,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 9 | $44,497 | $42,263 | $20,000 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | $37,022 | $36,992 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 5 | $44,497 | $42,263 | $20,000 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | $44,189 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 4 | $37,022 | $36,992 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | $44,189 | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is a public community and technical college located in Asheville, North Carolina, a small city setting. The school participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning eligible students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for enrollment. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, along with program-specific accreditors including the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the Commission for Nurse Education Accreditation. Its most-awarded trade programs are culinary and pastry arts, auto mechanics, and welding, drawn from a broad slate of 39 program offerings across fields like HVAC, electrical, dental assisting, cosmetology, and CNC machining.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 39.8%, which is below the North Carolina state average of 47.8%. Graduates carry a median debt of $15,528, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $36,048. About 36.2% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 484 trade program completers and an undergraduate enrollment of 5,110, this campus serves a mix of students, including those pursuing shorter career-training certificates and those in associate-degree pathways in health and technical fields. Anyone considering enrollment, including adult career changers, should verify accreditation status and outcome figures directly through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and confirm current program details with the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
The college offers 39 programs across trade fields, with the most-awarded being culinary and pastry arts, auto mechanics, and welding. It also offers programs in HVAC, electrical, dental assisting, medical assisting, radiologic technology, and more.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, along with program-specific bodies including the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the Commission for Nurse Education Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 39.8%, which is below the North Carolina state average of 47.8%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is reported at $15,528.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $36,048.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (828) 254-1921 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public community college, which typically means lower published tuition for in-state residents compared to for-profit institutions, and eligibility for state and federal support.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school to confirm schedules for individual programs.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can review official outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?197887, and confirm accreditation status directly with the listed accrediting bodies.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program mix, including short career-training certificates alongside associate degree pathways in fields like dental hygiene and radiologic technology, may suit adults changing careers, though individual fit should be confirmed by contacting the school.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach the school by phone at (828) 254-1921 or visit https://www.abtech.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data against other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; consult the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.