Do Students Succeed at Central Piedmont Community College?

Graduation rates, transfer data, and student outcome analysis for Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC.

Charlotte, NC

Student Success at Central Piedmont Community College at a Glance

Central Piedmont Community College is a public institution offering at least 2 but less than 4 years programs located in Charlotte, NC. Current enrollment is 20,375 students.

  • 30.9% overall graduation rate (IPEDS)
  • 24.5% of all entering students earn their award within 8 years
  • 43% of exiters from its largest program (Banking Services Certificate (Includes Notary Public)) were employed within 6 months — verified by the U.S. Department of Labor
  • DOL-verified median earnings of $1,731 per quarter after exiting Banking Services Certificate (Includes Notary Public)
  • 7,107 graduates across 163 programs in 2024
  • VA-approved for GI Bill benefits — 817 students used them here

Program-Level Results · Verified by the U.S. Department of Labor

Verified Program Outcomes

Completion and employment results reported to the U.S. Department of Labor for Central Piedmont Community College programs on the state Eligible Training Provider List. Missing values ("—") mean the state suppressed or did not report that metric — they never mean zero.

ProgramCompletion rateEmployed 6 mo after exitEmployed 1 yr after exitMedian quarterly earnings
Banking Services Certificate (Includes Notary Public)6%43%33%$1,731
Java API Development10%44%39%$2,472
Certified Financial Planner Education Program65%51%50%$12,844
Electrical Systems Technology Certificate Specialization in Electrician Assistant Level I20%77%82%$18,392
Professional Bookkeeper Certificate59%52%55%$12,211
Dental Assisting Diploma (D45240)66%86%80%$8,634
Emergency Medical Science31%81%80%$12,828
Early Childhood Education Certificate - Specialization in Beginnings in early Childhood Education35%66%57%$2,964
Paralegal Technology (A25380)34%64%69%$14,458
Audio Visual and Sound Engineering Certificate100%
Freight Broker/Agent Training62%69%70%$10,874
IT Support Specialist56%59%70%$9,352
Welding Technology Certificate with a Specialization in Entry-Level Welding Certificate - C50420-C2)50%68%67%$9,696
Project Management Plus Certificate Program92%82%82%$12,466
Human Resources Certificate Program83%82%82%$8,849
SQL Business Analytics69%74%86%$10,398
Nurse Aide I (CNA)50%78%87%$10,693
Basic Law Enforcement Training (Certificate)24%74%81%$9,920
CompTIA Network+59%70%76%$11,420
Human Resource SHRM-CP/SCPCertification Prep88%84%67%$6,675

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, WIOA participant outcomes (trainingproviderresults.gov), PY 2023.

College-Wide Statistics · IPEDS Federal Survey

What Are the Student Outcomes at Central Piedmont Community College?

Unlike the program-level results above, the figures below cover all students at Central Piedmont Community College, tracked over eight years by the federal IPEDS survey.

Overall Completion Rate

24.5%

Working Student Success

27.2%

Transfer Out Rate

32.9%

Still Enrolled Rate

0.9%

How Central Piedmont Community College Compares

25% completion is below the typical trade-college range, where 30%+ is more common. 33% transfer out and 1% remain enrolled; together these soften but don't erase the gap. Worth understanding what's driving the rate before committing.

What Happens After Students Enroll at Central Piedmont Community College?

Eight-Year Student Outcomes

Eight-year outcomes for students who entered Central Piedmont Community College. This shows what happened to students in their cohort by the end of the tracking period.

18.2%
25.2%
55.6%
Completed
18.2%
1,448 students
Still Enrolled
1.0%
80 students
Transferred Out
25.2%
1,999 students
No Award
55.6%
4,420 students

Understanding These Outcomes

Completed: Students who earned a certificate, diploma, or degree from this institution.

Still Enrolled: Students who remain enrolled at this institution after the tracking period.

Transferred Out: Students who transferred to another institution and may have completed there.

No Award: Students who left without earning a credential and are not enrolled elsewhere.

Combined completion and transfer rate of 43.4% indicates strong student success pathways.

These outcomes track what happened to students eight years after they first enrolled. Completion rates include certificates, diplomas, and degrees earned at this institution. Transfer rates show students who continued their education at other colleges. Understanding these pathways helps prospective students set realistic expectations and plan their educational journey.

What Are the Transfer and Continuation Patterns at Central Piedmont Community College?

Success Rates by Student Entry Pathway

Comparing completion rates across different student entry pathways helps understand which groups succeed and how transfer experience impacts outcomes.

First-Time Students(1,372 cohort size)
31.0%
31.0% completed
35.0% transferred to other institutions
Transfer-In Students(991 cohort size)
35.0%
35.0% completed
35.0% transferred again to other institutions
Continuing Students(1,761 cohort size)
16.0%
16.0% completed

Key Insights

First-time and transfer students achieve similar completion rates, indicating equitable support regardless of entry pathway.

Combined 35.0% transfer-out rate suggests this institution may serve as a stepping stone for students continuing their education elsewhere.

Cohort Composition

1,372
First-Time
991
Transfer-In
1,761
Continuing

Understanding Student Pathways

First-Time Students: Beginning postsecondary education for the first time at this institution.

Transfer-In Students: Previously attended another postsecondary institution before enrolling here.

Continuing Students: Returned to this institution after a break in enrollment.

Completion rates tracked over 8 years from initial entry.

Different student entry pathways lead to varying success rates. First-time students enter directly from high school or are starting college for the first time. Transfer students bring prior college experience and credits. Understanding these patterns helps you identify which pathway aligns best with your situation and predict your likelihood of success.

What Are the Completion Rates by Student Type at Central Piedmont Community College?

Full-time Students
21.8%
Part-time Students
27.2%
First-time Students
31.3%
Transfer Students
26%

What does this mean for you? These completion rates show how different types of students succeed at this institution. Notably, part-time students have a higher success rate here (27.2% vs 21.8% for full-time), which is great news if you plan to work while studying. This pattern is common at trade colleges where programs are designed to accommodate working adults. First-time students are those new to college, while transfer students have attended another institution before.

What Are the Cohort Outcomes Over Time at Central Piedmont Community College?

Tracking outcomes for the 2015-16 cohort of 5,868 students

After 4 Years

173
Certificates
1,007
Associate Degrees
1,180
Total Awards
20%
Completion Rate

After 6 Years

190
Certificates
1,176
Associate Degrees
1,366
Total Awards
23%
Completion Rate

After 8 Years (Final)

211
Certificates
1,237
Associate Degrees
1,448
Total Awards
0%
Completion Rate

Final Student Status

0%
Graduated
0%
Still Enrolled Here
0%
Enrolled Elsewhere
0%
Status Unknown

Completion Breakdown by Cohort

Part-time First-time Transfer Students

Cohort Size: 514
8-Year Rate: 39%

Part-time First-time Students

Cohort Size: 659
8-Year Rate: 35%

All First-time Transfer Students

Cohort Size: 991
8-Year Rate: 35%

All First-time Students

Cohort Size: 1,372
8-Year Rate: 31%

Full-time First-time Transfer Students

Cohort Size: 477
8-Year Rate: 30%

Full-time First-time Students

Cohort Size: 713
8-Year Rate: 28%

All Part-time Students

Cohort Size: 3,168
8-Year Rate: 25%

All Full-time Students

Cohort Size: 2,662
8-Year Rate: 21%

Time to Completion

Average time: 5 years
Median time: 5 years
Complete on time: 21%

About This Data

Outcome measures data tracks student cohorts over 4, 6, and 8-year periods. Data is sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) and reflects the most recent available reporting year.

0 of 3
+ Add school+ Add school+ Add school
Compare Now