Career Training Path › North Carolina › Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, North Carolina · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1201 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 · Phone: (704) 330-2722 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Central Piedmont Community College is a public trade and career school in Charlotte, NC, offering culinary, auto mechanic, and medical assistant programs, accredited by SACS and other program-specific bodies.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Central Piedmont Community College has a 30.9% completion rate, below the state average of 47.8%, with median graduate debt of $7,925 and median earnings of $37,865 ten years after entry.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Central Piedmont Community College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used, and 29.1% 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 |
| Medical assistants | $36,010 | $45,140 | $47,500 |
| Construction laborers | $31,850 | $44,720 | $49,070 |
| Electricians | $40,130 | $56,800 | $61,920 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,540 | $50,590 | $60,870 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $26,880 | $38,410 | $48,300 |
| Dental hygienists | $77,270 | $97,850 | $100,930 |
| Dental assistants | $38,240 | $50,380 | $57,720 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,780 | $57,260 | $64,310 |
| Surgical technologists | $45,990 | $60,920 | $68,520 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,480 | $63,270 | $69,700 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $35,820 | $44,530 | $48,480 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $35,190 | $44,250 | $49,310 |
| Machinists | $37,110 | $55,230 | $62,680 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 51 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 50 | $56,535 | $51,273 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 45 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 42 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 40 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 40 | $44,730 | $49,227 | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 29 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 25 | $18,217 | $24,421 | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Associate degree | 23 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 22 | $34,732 | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 18 | $39,288 | $38,721 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 18 | $39,288 | $38,721 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 17 | not reported | $41,937 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 15 | $24,931 | $22,094 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 12 | $51,618 | $51,106 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 10 | $24,931 | $22,094 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 10 | $44,730 | $49,227 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 8 | $39,288 | $38,721 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | $38,289 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 8 | $44,730 | $49,227 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 7 | $39,288 | $38,721 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 3 | $51,618 | $51,106 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | $41,937 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | 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
Central Piedmont Community College is a public community college in Charlotte, North Carolina, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with additional program-specific accreditation from bodies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, applies at this campus. Among its 37 program families, the campus awards the most completions in culinary & pastry programs, auto mechanic training, and medical assistant programs.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 30.9%, which is below the state average of 47.8%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $7,925, and median earnings 10 years after entry were $37,865. About 29.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income students. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a large enrollment of over 15,000 undergraduates and a broad mix of short-term certificate and longer associate-degree programs across trades like welding, HVAC, electrician work, and cosmetology, this campus may suit both recent graduates and adult career-changers seeking hands-on, applied training, though exact program lengths are not detailed here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the listed accreditors and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling, since figures such as cost of attendance are not reported for this campus in federal data.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Central Piedmont Community College offers 37 program families, with the most completions in culinary & pastry programs, auto mechanic schools, and medical assistant programs. Other offerings include welding, HVAC, electrician, cosmetology, dental hygiene, and surgical tech programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, along with program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Its overall accreditation status is listed as Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this campus participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used. About 29.1% of students currently receive Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 30.9%, which is below the state average of 47.8% per federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is $7,925, according to the College Scorecard.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $37,865, per federal data.
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 (704) 330-2722 or visit https://www.cpcc.edu/ 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 generally means lower tuition costs and eligibility for state funding compared to for-profit institutions, though specific tuition figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported in the data provided; contact the school to confirm the duration of specific certificate or degree tracks.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation status with the listed accreditors and review detailed outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?198260.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a broad mix of certificate and associate-degree trade programs, which may suit adult career-changers, though specific scheduling or adult-learner services are not detailed in the available data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements vary by program and are not detailed in the available data; contact the school at (704) 330-2722 to ask about specific programs like dental hygiene or surgical tech.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Central Piedmont Community College by phone at (704) 330-2722 or through its website at https://www.cpcc.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?198260 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Other trade and career schools in Charlotte, NC
- Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteCharlotte, NC · university
- Southeastern College-CharlotteCharlotte, NC · 77% completion
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance-CharlotteCharlotte, NC · 70% completion
- Empire Beauty School-PinevilleCharlotte, NC · 48% completion
- Empire Beauty School-CharlotteCharlotte, NC · 24% completion
- Arch Dental Assistant SchoolCharlotte, NC · state-licensed school
- Charlotte Dental Assistant SchoolCharlotte, NC · state-licensed school
- Dental Assisting Preparatory AcademyCharlotte, NC · state-licensed school
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.