Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
College of the Albemarle — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$13,202Annual Cost
$33,234Grad Salary
18.8%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$4,751
Need-Based Aid
18.8% receive Pell
College of the Albemarle, established in 1960 in North Carolina, offers programs in marine technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.
COA is unranked but vital to northeastern North Carolina's coastal economy. Its programs support both maritime and healthcare sectors.
College of the Albemarle Acceptance Rate
College of the Albemarle runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
College of the Albemarle Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
College of the Albemarle follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
College of the Albemarle reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at College of the Albemarle
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on College of the Albemarle's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
College of the Albemarle Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if College of the Albemarle is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into College of the Albemarle Without SAT or ACT?
College of the Albemarle's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for College of the Albemarle
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
College of the Albemarle provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Plan off-campus housing independently - COA has none
COA is explicitly a commuter campus with no dormitories or housing facilities. A student from outside the seven-county service area needs to independently arrange off-campus housing, unlike some peer community colleges that do offer residence halls.
Ask about the Regional Aviation and Technical Training Center for aviation programs
This is a distinct, purpose-built facility tied to workforce development partnerships with regional employers - a genuine structural asset for a community college of COA's size, worth asking about specifically when planning an aviation systems technology track.
Apply for the Finish Line Grant once you've hit the 50% mark
This specific, real emergency-fund award (up to $1,000) is designed for students who've completed or registered for 50%+ of their program to help clear the final stretch rather than stopping short. Ask about it specifically if facing a late-program financial gap.
Confirm which specific programs are competitive before assuming open admission applies uniformly
Basic Law Enforcement Training, Cosmetology, Practical Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing, LPN-ADN mobility, and Nursing Assistant are all explicitly limited-enrollment, competitive programs layered on top of COA's general open admission.
Expert Insight:
COA's overall open admissions policy and high acceptance rate can create false confidence about competitive programs - Basic Law Enforcement Training, Cosmetology, and every nursing-track program explicitly have limited enrollment and competitive admission on top of general college acceptance. Confirm program-specific requirements and application timing well before assuming general admission secures a seat.
College of the Albemarle Profile
Full Name
College of the Albemarle
City
Elizabeth City
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
27906-2327
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a College of the Albemarle Degree Worth It?
Whether College of the Albemarle is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $45,100, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.22%.
How much does a degree from College of the Albemarle Cost?
The sticker price is $13,202/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $4,751.
18.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and % take federal loans at College of the Albemarle — file your FAFSA early and list College of the Albemarle as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a College of the Albemarle Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $33,234 — somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at College of the Albemarle
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About College of the Albemarle Admissions
Median earnings for College of the Albemarle graduates sit around $33,234 a year.
At about $13,202 a year, College of the Albemarle is on the more affordable end.
College of the Albemarle's Pell Grant rate of 18.8% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
College of the Albemarle follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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