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Northampton County Area Community College

Bethlehem, PA

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Quick Facts

Where are YOU going?

1967
Founded
Community college
Type
7,512
Total Students
$97M
Endowment
(2025)
$5K
Tuition (In-State)
$15K
Tuition (Out-State)
$11K
Avg Net Price
Associate's Colleges
Classification
President: David A. Ruth

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Northampton County Area Community College

Northampton: Affordable education, robust programs, and unique on-campus living.

Northampton County Area Community College stands as a vibrant hub of learning, committed to providing accessible and high-quality education. Since its founding in 1967, NCC has grown into a cornerstone of the Lehigh Valley, known for its extensive range of over 100 associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas across fields like arts, business, education, and allied health. It is particularly renowned as a major educator for critical regional professions, including registered nurses, emergency responders, radiologic technologists, chefs, and early childhood educators.

The college's origins trace back to the 1960s, when local leaders recognized the pressing need for a skilled workforce and affordable higher education. What began with 846 students in eight modular classrooms quickly blossomed, securing accreditation by 1970 and erecting its first permanent buildings in 1972. This rapid growth set the stage for decades of expansion, driven by dedicated leadership like Robert Kopecek, whose 26-year tenure saw significant program and facility development.

For prospective students and their families, Northampton Community College offers an engaging and supportive environment. It is a unique institution, being the only community college in Pennsylvania to provide on-campus housing, fostering a true collegiate experience. Beyond traditional academics, NCC is a leading force in workforce training, adult literacy programs, and non-credit classes, demonstrating its deep commitment to community development and lifelong learning. Choosing NCC means investing in a dynamic educational journey that prepares students not just for careers, but for impactful lives.

Key Highlights

  • Established in 1967, offering nearly six decades of educational excellence.
  • Serves 8,951 undergraduate students across multiple campuses and satellite locations.
  • Provides over 100 associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas.
  • Holds an endowment of $97.35 million as of 2025.
  • The only community college in Pennsylvania to offer on-campus housing.
  • A major educator of essential regional professionals, including nurses, emergency responders, and chefs.
  • One of the largest providers of workforce training and non-credit classes in a four-county region.

Timeline

1967
Northampton County Area Community College founded; credit classes begin on October 2.
1969
Earned accreditation from the Middle States Association (by 1970).
1972
Five permanent buildings (College Center, Penn Hall, Founders Hall, Richardson Hall, Kopecek Hall) completed.
1977
Funeral Service and Radiologic Technologies Building (now Commonwealth Hall) opened; Robert Kopecek became president.
1986
Began a renovation project that expanded classrooms and renamed South Campus buildings by 1988.
1992
Child Development Center (named after Sen. Jeanette Reibman) and Communications Hall built.
2003
Dr. Arthur Scott succeeded Robert Kopecek as president (Kopecek retired after 26 years).
Early 2000s
Opened a site on the south side of Bethlehem and broke ground for a new campus in Monroe County under President Scott.
🏛️
59 Years
of Excellence

Leadership

David A. Ruth
President

Data from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

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