Cabarrus College of Health Sciences has kicked off admissions for its fall 2026 semester with lots of momentum.

The college recently confirmed that Fall 2025 enrollment surpassed 1,000 for the first time in its 83-year history. The college has seen record enrollment each semester since 2019. It continues to grow its enrollment to meet the community’s increasing needs for nurses and health professionals in areas such as medical imaging, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, and surgical technology.

Candidates who apply for the fall 2026 semester by January 1, 2026, receive priority consideration for admission, financial aid, scholarships, and specific programs. After that, admissions will continue on a rolling basis until each program’s spots are filled.

“We strengthen communities by supporting individuals in building successful health care careers,” stated Christine Corsello, Dean of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Cabarrus College. “Whether you are a recent high school graduate, someone seeking a career change, or an experienced professional aiming for advancement, we are dedicated to supporting your journey toward success.”

The least expensive private college in North Carolina, Cabarrus College, offers a generous mix of scholarships and financial aid. Thanks to its affiliation with Atrium Health, this includes forgivable loans for some programs.

The college offers degree programs for first-time college students, transfer students, adult learners seeking to switch careers, and nurses and allied health workers looking to advance their careers by completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. College data show 97% of its students pass their certification licensure exams, and 96% are employed within 6 months of graduation.

First-time college students can earn associate degrees and begin working as registered nurses, occupational therapy assistants, medical assistants, or surgical technologists within two years of enrolling, or they can earn an associate’s degree and transition to one of the college’s four-year nursing or allied health programs.

That is what Perla Camacho did. After earning an associate’s degree in Surgical Technology, she enrolled in the college’s bachelor’s degree program for Biomedical Sciences.

“I wanted to deepen my knowledge, better understand the science behind patient care, and prepare for the next step in my journey,” says Camacho. “I’m now planning to pursue PA (physician assistant) school to continue growing in the medical field and make an even greater impact on patient care.”

The college’s traditional bachelor’s degrees prepare students to compete for admission to medical schools or become RNs. Its accelerated programs utilize online courses and flexible scheduling to help nurses, paramedics, and medical imaging technologists earn a bachelor’s degree while continuing to work.

Consider Miranda Webster, a paramedic who put her college education on hold because she couldn’t find a bachelor’s program that aligned with her goals, until she learned about the Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program for Community Paramedicine at Cabarrus College.

The program is designed for licensed paramedics with associate degrees who want to play a proactive role in promoting health in the community, including helping those with chronic illnesses manage their conditions so they can enjoy a better quality of life with fewer hospital and doctor visits.

“As a full-time working mom, returning to school was intimidating, but the instructors were incredibly supportive every step of the way,” said Webster, A.A., A.A.S., NRP, CP-C. “The courses reignited my drive to learn and gave me the knowledge, confidence, and clinical expertise to take my career to the next level, ultimately assisting me in earning a promotion to Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Coordinator at my fire department.”

Katie Bailes-Bailey is among Cabarrus College’s many repeat students. She has worked as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA/L) under the supervision of an occupational therapist since completing the two-year occupational therapy assistant program at the college in 2009. In 2024, after dedicating approximately 10 years of her career to helping pediatric patients, she enrolled in the college’s Master of Occupational Therapy program. Once she completes her education and becomes a licensed occupational therapist, she will be able to supervise COTAs/Ls.

“Learning how to help others achieve independence in their daily lives was definitely what I was born to do,” said Bailes-Bailey. “Ultimately? I know that I owe that foundation of understanding and love of OT to Cabarrus College.”

Those interested in learning more about how Cabarrus College helps build careers in healthcare can visit cabarruscollege.edu or register for an upcoming campus visit.