Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Morehead City, North Carolina
Carteret Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$21,009Annual Cost
$33,357Grad Salary
37.7%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
$11,889
Need-Based Aid
37.7% receive Pell
Carteret Community College, founded in 1963 in North Carolina, specializes in marine technology, healthcare, and hospitality programs.
CCC is unranked but vital to North Carolina's Crystal Coast economy. Its waterfront location supports unique maritime programs.
Carteret Community College Acceptance Rate
Carteret Community College maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Carteret Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Carteret Community College'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.
Carteret Community College Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Carteret Community College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Carteret Community College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Carteret Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Carteret Community College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Sequence Anatomy & Physiology around the 5-year nursing clock
Nursing runs on a completely separate Selective Health Sciences Application - not general open-door admission - requiring a 2.5+ GPA with a "C" or better in all gen-ed prerequisites, a TEAS Nursing Entrance Exam composite score of at least 58.7% (max two attempts per cycle), current CPR certification (AHA Healthcare Provider course) uploaded with the application, AND Anatomy & Physiology (BIO 168/169) completed within the last five years of entering the program. Map this timeline out with students years ahead - an early dual-enrollment A&P credit can literally expire before they're ready to apply.
Name the Shellfish Farming Academy and Aquaculture Technology specifically
Carteret's Aquaculture Technology program pipes saltwater directly from Bogue Sound into the campus lab, and its 8-week Shellfish Farming Academy was co-developed with NOAA Sea Grant specifically for working adults entering the marine trades. For any student with genuine coastal, marine science, or environmental interest, referencing this program and academy by name signals real, researched fit - few schools anywhere offer hands-on mariculture training at this level.
Use the state's own "unique to Carteret" programs as a differentiation hook
The NC Community College System itself identifies Aquaculture, Boat Manufacturing & Service, Marine Propulsion Systems, and Photography as programs unique to Carteret CC statewide. A student's "why this school" answer should name one of these specifically rather than generic language about liking the coast - it's a verifiable, system-level fact, not marketing spin.
Request the placement test if the default GPA/GED placement undersells the student
Carteret places students by default using high school GPA or GED score rather than a placement test - but a student who feels that default placement doesn't reflect their actual skill level can request the College Placement Test to try to test directly into college-level (non-remedial) English or Math. This is worth doing proactively for students with a weaker transcript GPA but genuinely strong current skills.
Expert Insight:
Because Carteret markets a 100% open-door acceptance rate, students and families interested in Nursing sometimes assume it works the same rolling, low-stakes way. It doesn't - it's a fully gated Selective Health Sciences Application with hard prerequisite thresholds (GPA, TEAS score, a 5-year A&P expiration clock, current CPR) that must be sequenced years in advance, not assembled the semester before applying.
Carteret Community College Profile
Full Name
Carteret Community College
City
Morehead City
State
North Carolina
ZIP Code
28557
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Carteret Community College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Carteret Community College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Carteret Community College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Carteret Community College is $51,600 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.11%.
How much does a degree from Carteret Community College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Carteret Community College is $21,009. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Carteret Community College is $11,889.
37.7% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Carteret Community College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Carteret Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Carteret Community College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Carteret Community College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $33,357. An average Carteret Community College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Carteret Community College
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Carteret Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About Carteret Community College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $33,357 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $21,009 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
37.7% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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