Community Colleges in the Triangle of North Carolina

In the Triangle area of North Carolina, there are many colleges and universities to choose from, depending upon your personal goals and plans. Although there are a couple of additional community colleges in the area, this article focuses on the two most central community colleges in the Triangle area. Wake Technical Community College and Durham Technical Community College provide opportunities both in the classroom and via distance education for students to enhance their education or take less expensive classes during high school or between high school and a four year university. With a reciprocal agreement with the North Carolina state university system, getting an education can be quite easy in the Triangle area.

Wake Technical Community College is technically located in Raleigh, North Carolina, though the physical location is nearer to Garner. In addition, Wake Tech, as it is commonly called, offers satellite classrooms in a number of other locations around Raleigh. Course opportunities at these satellite locations are somewhat limited, but particular fields of study may have a number of classes offered at a particular satellite site, which makes finishing one's degree extremely easy. In particular, Wake Tech offers a Health Sciences satellite campus behind Wake Medical Center. Finally, Wake Tech Community College also offers distance options, with approximately 300 classes available each semester and 25 programs available nearly entirely online. The online programs are primarily in the computer sciences field (computer information technology and programming) but also include an associate in arts and criminal justice. There are 157 programs available total through this community college. Many of these allow for certification for a particular field of study that allows enhanced career opportunities (welding, early childhood, etc.). Wake Tech also offers nursing programs in conjunction with Wake Medical Center. The state legislature passed a reciprocal agreement between community colleges and state public universities, so a student who receives an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Sciences degree will find that it is much easier to transfer credits into the state public university of their choosing.

Cost for Wake Technical Community College is deliberately kept as low as possible, with many financial aid options. Recently, Wake Tech announced a plan to move towards an optional payment plan for tuition, making this community college even more affordable than before. Although books often cost as much as a 4 year university, instructors are aware that many students attending a community college have somewhat limited funds. Students taking 16 or more credit hours (each course typically constitutes between 2 and 4 credit hours, with 3 being the average) can expect to pay $672 per semester. Students taking 15 or fewer credit hours pay $42.00 per credit hour. Again, this does not include the cost of books. Some classes may not require any textbooks, whereas others may require a textbook costing upwards of $150. It depends on the class. Certain other fees may exist for particular classes, and students should see the website for details.

There are a number of financial aid options available. There are three main types of financial aid (not including work-study). These include grants, scholarships and loans. Grants and scholarships are both "free" money. Someone has put up a certain amount of money for use by a particular student or group of students. Loans will have to be paid back. By using the FAFSA, you have already applied to a number of need-based grants and loans. Other grants and scholarships will involve different forms, or a different type of application (essay, video, etc.) Financial aid officers at the community college are prepared to answer any questions you may have, and there is a bit of information at the financial aid website through Wake Tech. http://financialaid.waketech.edu/

Wake Tech is commonly known for their nursing program and their computer programs. Their other programs are quite good, but they have particular distinction in these two areas.

Durham Technical Community College is located off of the Durham Freeway in Durham, North Carolina. Like Wake Tech, there are a number of online programs and satellite campuses. Durham Tech has a number of continuing education classes in Chapel Hill and online. The cost of Durham Tech is identical to that of Wake Tech, though fees may vary. The Durham Tech website notes that a student may be dual enrolled at two community colleges at once, and that the student must pick a "home" campus. The two colleges will communicate the best way for fees to be paid, but, in general, the student should not have to pay additional fees to attend classes at two campuses.

Durham Tech is always adding new programs of study. In general, they do not have quite so many programs as Wake Tech, but are more geared towards the research and development side, with programs of studies including Clinical Trials Research Associate. A complete list of programs of study can be found on the website. Like all community colleges in North Carolina, Durham Tech has a reciprocal agreement with the state universities. Although students do not have any edge in admissions to a four year university, once accepted, a student's classes will all transfer, provided that student has finished his Associates. Otherwise, the university has the jurisdiction not to transfer any of the classes, or only transfer certain ones.

Community colleges are a great way to continue your education, provide a less expensive alternative to some four year university classes and to finish a certificate program for career development. Durham Tech and Wake Tech are two of many options in the Triangle area.