North Carolina's second-largest community college serving 52,000+ students across eight Mecklenburg County locations.
Central Piedmont offers nearly 300 for-credit programs of study organized across 14 career fields, including business and accounting, engineering, healthcare, information technology, construction and trades, design and architecture, education, and public safety. The college emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning with a 19:1 average student-to-faculty ratio. Programs range from associate degrees to certificates and diplomas, with over 55 professional pathways designed to prepare students for immediate workforce entry or transfer to four-year institutions. Hundreds of online and hybrid courses are available, and the college maintains partnerships with more than 800 companies for internships and apprenticeships.
Central Piedmont operates eight locations across Mecklenburg County: Central Campus (in the Elizabeth neighborhood, served by CityLynx Gold Line streetcar), Cato Campus (near Reedy Creek Nature Reserve, focused on horticulture), Harper Campus (southwest Charlotte, construction and trades focus), Levine Campus (Matthews, with Joe Hendrick Center for Automotive Technology), Merancas Campus (Huntersville, public safety and transportation systems), Harris Campus (near Charlotte-Douglas International Airport), City View Center, and online learning. The college hosts more than 70 student clubs and organizations, with over 900 middle and early college high school students attending across five campuses. Campus amenities include dining, bookstores, library services, and disability support.
Central Piedmont uses open admissions for most programs and offers multiple pathways: new students seeking degrees/diplomas/certificates, returning students, dual enrollment (Career and College Promise), veterans, continuing education, healthcare-specific tracks, international students (F-1 visa), ESL/high school completion, and visiting students. The application process involves residency determination, online orientation, transcript submission, and advisor meetings. The college guarantees admission to 18 four-year institutions including UNC Charlotte, Queens University, UNC Chapel Hill, and Appalachian State University.
Approximately 1,000 students transfer annually to UNC institutions. The college maintains guaranteed admission agreements with 18 four-year institutions, facilitating seamless transfer pathways. With over 800 employer partnerships, students gain real-world experience through internships and apprenticeships. The college emphasizes workforce readiness and has established training programs with major companies including Cummins and Tesla, positioning graduates for immediate employment or continued education.