About WPCC
Western Piedmont Community College was chartered by the North Carolina State Board of Education on April 2, 1964, as a member of the North Carolina Community College System. The Board of Trustees comprised of prominent citizens from Burke, McDowell, and Caldwell counties, assumed responsibility for the College and elected Dr. E. W. Phifer, Jr. as its first chair. From the very beginning, the citizens of Burke County demonstrated interest and strong support of their College by approving a state-required bond issue with an unprecedented margin of seventeen to one.
The College sits on approximately 300 acres of campus with rolling hills, lush foliage, a pond, and tennis court. It is home to the Senator Sam J. Ervin Library. Students have a wide variety of associate degree programs to choose from including seven transfer associate degrees in Science, Arts and Fine Arts. There are over 30 associate in applied science degrees in healthcare, industry, business, and education.
Approximately 2,200 students enroll each year to pursue college transfer degrees, two year associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. More than 2,700 students enroll in continuing education courses for professional development and personal enrichment. The College also serves over 200 students in programs for adults to complete high school and/or improve English skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Student Achievement
Western Piedmont Community College (WPCC) student achievement data is reported annually in the North Carolina Community College System’s Performance Measures for Student Success. Seven measures are evaluated with established baseline and excellence levels. Based on data compiled during the previous year, baseline levels are set two standard deviations below the system’s average index score and excellence levels are set one standard deviation above the system’s average index score. The average band is within 0.5 standard deviations above or below the average index score.
In the most recent report, WPCC students met or exceeded the excellence level on three measures, were below excellence but above the system average band maximum on one measure, and were within the system average band on three measures. WPCC strives for students to meet or exceed the excellence level on all measures.
- Basic Skills Student Progress
- Purpose: To ensure individuals with low literacy skills are progressing academically toward credential or employment.
- Description: Index score based on the percentage of Basic Skills periods of participation with at least one measurable skill gain.
- Data Sources: Benchmark Advansys, Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report, Continuing Education Registration Report, Diploma Sender, National Student Clearinghouse
Results: 2024-2025 Basic Skills Student Progress Excellence 1.236 Avg Band Max 1.139 Avg Band Min 0.943 Baseline 0.650 WPCC 1.255
2. Student Success Rate in College-Level English Courses
- Purpose: To ensure students are successfully completing a credit-bearing English course within their first three academic years.
- Description: Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall non-dually enrolled associate degree seeking students passing a credit-bearing English course with a “C” or better within three years.
- Data Sources: Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report, National Student Clearinghouse
2022 Fall Cohort Student Success Rate in College-Level English Courses Excellence 1.090 Avg Band Max 1.011 Avg Band Min 0.854 Baseline 0.618 WPCC 1.072
3. Student Success Rate in College-Level Math or Science Courses
- Purpose: To ensure students are successfully completing credit-bearing Math or Science courses within their first three academic years.
- Description: Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall non-dually enrolled associate degree seeking students passing a credit-bearing Math or Science course with a “C” or better within three years.
- Data Sources: Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report, National Student Clearinghouse
2022 Fall Cohort Student Success Rate in College-Level Math Courses Excellence 1.144 Avg Band Max 1.059 Avg Band Min 0.888 Baseline 0.631 WPCC 1.155
4. First Year Progression
- Purpose: To ensure first-year students are making progress toward credential completion.
- Description: Index score based on percentage of first-time fall credential-seeking curriculum students who graduated prior to or enrolled in postsecondary education the subsequent fall term
- Data Sources: Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report, Graduation Extract data file, National Student Clearinghouse
2024 Fall Cohort First Year Progression Excellence 1.056 Avg Band Max 1.030 Avg Band Min 0.977 Baseline 0.898 WPCC 0.984
5. Curriculum Completion
- Purpose: To ensure student completion and/or persistence toward a post-secondary credential in a timely manner.
- Description: Index score based on the percentage of first-time fall credential-seeking curriculum students who graduate, transfer, or are enrolled during the fourth academic year with 42 successfully completed non-developmental hours.
- Data Sources: Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report, Graduation Extract data file, National Student Clearinghouse
2021 Fall Cohort Curriculum Completion Excellence 1.056 Avg Band Max 1.010 Avg Band Min 0.919 Baseline 0.781 WPCC 1.000
6. Licensure and Certificate Passing Rate
- Purpose: To ensure programmatic coursework prepares students to competently practice in their chosen profession..
- Description: Index score based on the percentage of first‐time test‐takers passing licensure and certification exams within each exam. Exams included in this measure are state mandated exams which candidates must pass before becoming active practitioners.
- Data Sources: NC Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, NC Board of Nursing, NC Department of Health and Human Services, NC Department of Justice – Criminal Justice Standards Division, NC Department of Justice – Sheriff’s Training & Standards Division, and NC Office of Emergency Medical Services.
Results: 2024-2025 Licensure and Certification Passing Rate Excellence 1.078 Avg Band Max 1.028 Avg Band Min 0.929 Baseline 0.780 WPCC 1.166
7. College Transfer Performance
- Purpose: To ensure the successful transition of community college transfer program students to a four-year university or college.
- Description: Index score based on the percentage of community college graduating exiters with an AA/AS/AFA degree and non-graduating transfer program exiters completing 30 or more articulated transfer credits who enroll at a four-year university or college within two academic years following community college exit.
- Data Sources: Comprehensive Curriculum Student Report, Graduation Extract data file, National Student Clearinghouse
Results: 2022-2023 Community College Students College Transfer Performance Excellence 1.047 Avg Band Max 1.008 Avg Band Min 0.931 Baseline 0.814 WPCC 0.946
In addition to the measures listed above, WPCC monitors the six-year completion rate for students who started at the College. This data is provided by the National Student Clearinghouse and includes both full-time and part-time students who began their postsecondary studies at WPCC. The College’s goal by 2030 is to be 11% higher than the national benchmark. Note that the 2030 report will reflect the 2024 Fall Cohort.
Facts At A Glance
Additional data on Western Piedmont Community College is available through the North Carolina Community College System dashboards.