What Is It Known For?
Since 1963, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College has provided educational opportunities to residents of Rowan and Cabarrus counties in North Carolina. The college now serves more than 22,000 students yearly across approximately 40 programs of study, including business, health services, and engineering technologies.
With a student-faculty ratio of 18-to-1, the college offers associate degrees and helps students build a strong foundation for further education. Students can earn credits that transfer to four-year universities or complete training programs to start new careers.
Degrees & Certifications
Students at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College can shape their future through a wide selection of academic paths. The college awards both certificates and associate degrees across 37 fields of study, giving students flexibility in their educational journey.
Popular programs include:
- Automotive Systems Technology
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Cosmetology
- Business Administration
- Practical Nursing
- Dental Assisting
- Information Technology
- And Many More!
- Class Schedules
Students can take classes during the day, evening, or online to fit their schedules. In health science programs like nursing, phlebotomy, and EMS, students gain real-world skills through faculty-led clinical training. These practical sessions let students work alongside experienced professionals while putting their classroom knowledge into action.
Clinical hours can be scheduled across different shifts, making it simpler for students to balance their medical training with daily life.
Is It Legit?
Yes, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College holds full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Beyond this institutional accreditation, several individual programs have earned additional field-specific credentials.
You can review the complete list of program accreditations on their accreditation page.
Acceptance Rate
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College maintains an open enrollment policy with a 100% acceptance rate, making education accessible to all qualified applicants.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
As of the latest update, in-state students pay $76 per credit hour, up to a maximum of $1,216 per semester for 16 credit hours. Non-resident students are charged $268 per credit hour, with a maximum of $4,288 per semester.
However, tuition rates are determined by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges and the NC General Assembly, and are subject to change. For the most current information, please refer to the college’s official net price calculator.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Business
Criminal Justice & Law
- Public Safety
Healthcare
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Dental Assisting
- Healthcare Management Technology
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Practical Nursing
- Radiography
Professional Services
- Cosmetology
Skilled Trades
- Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering
- Automotive
- Construction, HVAC/R, & Electrical Systems
Technology
- Information Technology
Campus Locations
Salisbury 1333 Jake Alexander Blvd., S. Salisbury, N.C. 28146
Concord 1531 Trinity Church Rd. Concord, N.C. 28027
Concord 660 Concord Parkway, N. Concord, N.C. 28027
Kannapolis 399 Biotechnology Ln. Kannapolis, N.C. 28081
Kannapolis 489 N. Cannon Blvd. Kannapolis, N.C. 28083
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) presents a strongly divided picture: students who focus on the instruction and campus environment are very satisfied, but those who interact with administrative and advising staff report serious issues with competence and attitude.
Overall Score: 3.8/5 Stars
Common Praises
- Great Instructors and Learning Environment: Many students praise the teaching staff, describing them as “great,” “nice and helpful,” and “caring for their students.” The general academic experience is called “enjoyable,” and the curriculum is noted as manageable.
- Pleasant Campuses: The campuses are often described as “beautiful,” “clean,” and having an “artsy and unique” feel, providing a comfortable learning environment.
- Excellent Testing Center and TRIO Program: The testing center received specific praise for being “very nice” and having “super friendly” staff. The TRIO program and its advisors were also singled out as being “awesome.”
- Positive Social Environment: For students who were initially nervous about college, the atmosphere was a positive surprise, described as “nice and friendly,” with a diverse age group of people in classes.
Common Criticisms
- Advising and Administrative Incompetence/Attitude: This is the most significant and consistent area of negative feedback. Reviewers describe the academic advisors as “not very good,” “rude,” and actively trying to “get rid of you.” Complaints include:
- Program and Policy Instability: One recent complaint involved a student being registered and confirmed for an 8-hour course, only to later find their registration was apparently not valid, leading to frustration. Another former student described the entire management of the Art & Design department as being “without competence, professionalism and ethics.”
- Non-functional Website: Multiple reviewers, some dating back eight years, criticized the college’s website and quicklinks as being “ridiculously nonfunctional.”
- Subpar Support Services (Tutoring): One student had a negative experience at the tutoring center, where the staff person was unhelpful and told the student to simply “google it.”
Momentum
Recent reviews (within the last few months) still highlight major administrative issues, such as program enrollment errors and poor advising practices, which suggests that the core administrative problems noted in older reviews (7-11 years ago) remain a serious concern for the student body. The college owner has responded to one recent complaint, indicating an awareness of the issue and a commitment to follow up.