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McDowell Technical Community College
Marion, North Carolina · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 54 College Drive, Marion, NC 28752 · Phone: (828) 652-6021 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
McDowell Technical Community College is a public trade and career school in Marion, NC offering welding, LPN, and HVAC programs, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
McDowell Technical Community College has a 48.4% completion rate, near the state average of 47.8%, and median earnings of $33,035 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for McDowell Technical Community College; the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and about 27.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,540 | $50,590 | $60,870 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,480 | $63,270 | $69,700 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,780 | $57,260 | $64,310 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $26,880 | $38,410 | $48,300 |
| Skincare specialists | $25,570 | $39,120 | $57,000 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,500 | $48,200 | $63,170 |
| Electricians | $40,130 | $56,800 | $61,920 |
| Machinists | $37,110 | $55,230 | $62,680 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $22,150 | $34,740 | $46,650 |
| Medical records specialists | $36,840 | $49,620 | $64,800 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $35,190 | $44,250 | $49,310 |
| Nursing assistants | $30,260 | $38,460 | $43,850 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 27 | $45,606 | $40,821 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 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 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $45,606 | $40,821 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 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
McDowell Technical Community College is a public community and technical college in Marion, North Carolina, located in a fringe rural area. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants to help pay for enrollment. The campus offers 22 trade and career program families, with the largest completer counts in welding schools (27 completers), LPN/LVN programs (27 completers), and HVAC schools (16 completers).
According to federal data, the college's completion rate is 48.4%, which is near the state average of 47.8%. Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are reported at $33,035. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data, and annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 27.1% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of the student body qualifies for federal need-based aid. Total undergraduate enrollment is 608, with 122 trade program completers reported.
This campus may suit students pursuing shorter, hands-on credentials in fields like welding, practical nursing, or HVAC rather than four-year degrees, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Adults considering a career change should contact the school directly to ask about scheduling and program duration, since that information is not reported in this data. To verify accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome figures, prospective students can check with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and consult the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard listing for this institution.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
McDowell Technical Community College offers 22 program families, with the most completers in welding schools (27), LPN/LVN programs (27), and HVAC schools (16).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with a status of Accredited.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so students can apply for FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 48.4%, which is near the state average of 47.8%, according to federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (828) 652-6021 or visit the College Scorecard for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $33,035, per the U.S. Department of Education 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?
McDowell Technical Community College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-level funding support.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported in this data; contact the school directly at (828) 652-6021 or visit its website for specific program timelines.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link for this institution.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers hands-on trade programs such as welding, LPN, and HVAC, though specific scheduling details for adult or career-changer students are not reported here; contact the school to confirm fit.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach McDowell Technical Community College at (828) 652-6021 or through its website, https://www.mcdowelltech.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This data does not include comparisons with other nearby schools; check the College Scorecard to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in North Carolina
- Southwestern Community CollegeSylva, NC · 53% completion
- Blue Ridge Community CollegeFlat Rock, NC · 50% completion
- Mayland Community CollegeSpruce Pine, NC · 46% completion
- Haywood Community CollegeClyde, NC · 34% completion
- Carolina CDL Training CenterCandler, NC
- Wake Technical Community CollegeRaleigh, NC · 33% completion
- NASCAR Technical InstituteMooresville, NC · 65% completion
- Cape Fear Community CollegeWilmington, NC · 35% completion
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.