Career Training Path › North Carolina › Cape Fear Community College
Cape Fear Community College
Wilmington, North Carolina · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 411 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401 · Phone: (910) 362-7000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Apr 2025 · Warning or Equivalent-Factors Affecting Academic Quality · American Occupational Therapy Association; Aug 2025 · Renewal of Accreditation. 2 sanction actions in the window.
Cape Fear Community College is a public trade and career school in Wilmington, NC offering construction trades, auto mechanics, and cosmetology programs, accredited by SACS and other program-specific bodies.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Cape Fear Community College has a 34.5% completion rate versus a 47.8% state average, with graduates carrying $9,500 median debt and earning $38,654 median ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; Cape Fear Community College accepts federal financial aid (Title IV), and about 17.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers | $31,850 | $44,720 | $49,070 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,500 | $48,200 | $63,170 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $26,880 | $38,410 | $48,300 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,780 | $57,260 | $64,310 |
| Skincare specialists | $25,570 | $39,120 | $57,000 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,540 | $50,590 | $60,870 |
| Electricians | $40,130 | $56,800 | $61,920 |
| Medical assistants | $36,010 | $45,140 | $47,500 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $52,860 | $74,450 | $83,340 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,480 | $63,270 | $69,700 |
| Dental assistants | $38,240 | $50,380 | $57,720 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $38,860 | $57,080 | $63,290 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $35,190 | $44,250 | $49,310 |
| Dental hygienists | $77,270 | $97,850 | $100,930 |
| Machinists | $37,110 | $55,230 | $62,680 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $35,820 | $44,530 | $48,480 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $38,210 | $61,130 | $76,330 |
| Nursing assistants | $30,260 | $38,460 | $43,850 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 64 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 59 | not reported | $18,087 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 44 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 42 | not reported | $18,087 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 33 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 29 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 26 | not reported | $18,087 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 26 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 19 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 17 | not reported | $38,289 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 15 | $49,484 | $41,406 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 14 | $49,484 | $41,406 | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | $51,273 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| 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 | $49,484 | $41,406 | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 5 | $49,484 | $41,406 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | $38,289 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | $72,899 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | $38,289 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | 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
Cape Fear Community College is a public trade and career-training campus in Wilmington, North Carolina. It participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning eligible students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants. The college is accredited, with program-specific accreditation from bodies including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Among its 44 program offerings, the largest trade programs are construction trades (116 completers), auto mechanic training (96 completers), and cosmetology (74 completers).
Federal data shows a completion rate of 34.5%, which is below the North Carolina state average of 47.8%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500. Median earnings ten years after entry are reported at $38,654. Roughly 17.7% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 9,764 undergraduate students enrolled and a wide range of program families — from welding, electrician, and HVAC training to dental hygiene, surgical technology, and culinary arts — this campus may suit both students pursuing shorter career-focused certificates and those in longer associate-degree health and technical programs. Program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students, including career changers, should verify current accreditation status and outcome data directly through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Cape Fear Community College offers 44 programs across families including construction trades, auto mechanics, cosmetology, HVAC, welding, electrician training, medical assisting, radiology tech, dental hygiene, and culinary arts. The largest by completions are construction trades (116), auto mechanics (96), and cosmetology (74).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. Accreditors include the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Occupational Therapy Association's Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
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-based aid including Pell Grants. About 17.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 34.5%, which is below the North Carolina state average of 47.8%, per the College Scorecard.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $38,654, per the College Scorecard.
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 for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Cape Fear Community College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-based aid programs, in addition to federal aid.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length details are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (910) 362-7000 or visit its website for specific program timelines.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?198154 or by contacting the school directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a mix of shorter trade certificates and longer associate-degree programs across many fields, but specific program lengths and adult-learner services are not reported in federal data; check with the school directly.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Cape Fear Community College by phone at (910) 362-7000 or through its website at https://www.cfcc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not reported in federal data for this listing; check the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Wilmington, NC
- Miller-Motte College-WilmingtonWilmington, NC · college
- College of WilmingtonWilmington, NC · 15% completion
- National Institute of Dental Assisting – WilmingtonWilmington, NC · state-licensed school
- Port City Phlebotomy Training CenterWilmington, NC · state-licensed school
- Southeastern Community CollegeWhiteville, NC · 44% completion
- Brunswick Community CollegeBolivia, NC · 40% completion
- CFCC North CampusCastle Hayne, NC
- Southeastern community CollegeFair Bluff, NC
See all trade and career schools in North Carolina or search by ZIP code.
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.