Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
In a city that blends mountain-town craft with entrepreneurial energy, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College delivers practical, hands-on learning that sticks. The college is known for strong teaching across health and wellness, skilled trades, business, technology, and the culinary and creative arts. Students learn in labs, shops, studios, and teaching kitchens, anchored by a busy library and learning commons. Support runs deep with tutoring, advising, counseling, transfer guidance, and a career center that helps students map the next step.
Campus life feels active and welcoming. You'll find clubs, service projects, student-run events, and outdoor meetups that take advantage of nearby trails and rivers. The vibe is grounded and collaborative, with recent grads and working adults sharing the same classrooms. Career preparation sits front and center, from internships and clinicals to employer visits and skills fairs. Ties to Asheville's healthcare, hospitality, tech, and maker communities open doors, and the college has a reputation for public showcases where students put their work on display.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) offers 52 degree programs across 16 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,620 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (14 programs, 365 graduates), Liberal Arts (2 programs, 295 graduates), Business (4 programs, 163 graduates), Personal Services (5 programs, 158 graduates) and Computer & IT (2 programs, 139 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (14 programs, 365 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 75 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3801 |
| Mental and Social Health Services | 66 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.1599 |
| Medical Office Administration | 65 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0705 |
| Emergency Medical Technology | 35 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0904 |
| Dental Assisting | 25 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0601 |
| Phlebotomy Technician | 21 |
|
Other Award
|
51.1009 |
| Radiologic Technology | 19 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0911 |
| Dental Hygiene | 17 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0602 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | 11 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0803 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonography | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0910 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment Professions | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0999 |
| Surgical Technology | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0909 |
| Medical Assistant | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0801 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technician | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
51.1004 |
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 295 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 294 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
| General Studies | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
24.0102 |
Business (4 programs, 163 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office Management and Supervision | 56 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0204 |
| Business Administration and Management | 43 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting and Finance | 34 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0304 |
| Hospitality Management | 30 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0909 |
Personal Services (5 programs, 158 graduates)
Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Personal Care
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts and Chef Training | 56 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
12.0503 |
| Aesthetician and Skin Care Specialist | 44 |
|
Other Award
|
12.0409 |
| Cosmetology | 29 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
12.0401 |
| Baking and Pastry Arts | 19 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
12.0501 |
| Nail Technology and Manicuring | 10 |
|
Other Award
|
12.0410 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 139 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | 108 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0103 |
| Software and Media Applications | 31 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
11.0899 |
Eng. Technologies (8 programs, 109 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAD and CADD Drafting and Design Technology | 28 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.1302 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology | 19 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.0303 |
| Mechanical Engineering Technology | 18 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.0805 |
| Surveying Technology | 15 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.1102 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Technology | 11 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.0701 |
| Computer Engineering Technology | 10 |
|
Associate's
|
15.1201 |
| Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering Technology | 7 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.0407 |
| Civil Engineering Technology | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
15.0201 |
Mechanics (3 programs, 96 graduates)
Automotive Technology, Equipment Repair and Maintenance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Mechanics Technology | 59 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
47.0604 |
| Medium and Heavy Vehicle Technology | 22 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
47.0613 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology | 15 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
47.0201 |
Security & Safety (3 programs, 94 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 52 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
43.0104 |
| Criminal Justice and Police Science | 38 |
|
Other Award
|
43.0107 |
| Protective Services | 4 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
43.9999 |
Construction (2 programs, 76 graduates)
Building Trades, Construction Management and Skilled Crafts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 49 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
46.0302 |
| Property Maintenance | 27 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
46.0401 |
Production (2 programs, 55 graduates)
Manufacturing Technology, Quality Control and Industrial Arts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology | 46 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
48.0508 |
| CNC Machinist Technology | 9 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
48.0510 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
How much does it cost to attend Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)?
The annual tuition at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) is $2,882 for in-state students and $9,026 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $4,882 for in-state students and $11,026 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,000 (off-campus) and books and supplies $2,000.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College offer?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) offers 52 academic programs across 16 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (14 programs)
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (4 programs)
- Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Personal Care (5 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (2 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) provides financial aid to 6% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,565 and average loans of $5,090.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $6,061
- State/Local grants: $908
- Institutional grants: $1,422
- Federal loans: $5,090
The university supports 380 students with grants and 7 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College graduates?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech) graduates earn a median salary of $32,630 after 6 years and $36,048 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $17,505 (25th percentile) to $54,112 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $56,600 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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