Isothermal Community College

About Isothermal Community College

Founded in 1964, Isothermal Community College serves Rutherford and Polk counties in the beautiful foothills of western North Carolina. Isothermal, so-named because of the region's steady climate, is a comprehensive, two-year public institution and is a part of the North Carolina Community College System. ICC’s mission is to "improve life through learning." The college offers 86 programs of study, including college transfer, vocational, and technical programs leading to a two-year associate degree, or one-year or less certificate or diploma. Isothermal also provides training for area business and industry, personal enrichment courses, adult basic education, adult high school programs and developmental courses. The institution is accredited to award associate degrees by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The main campus is on approximately 181 acres in Spindale. Perched on the shore of an 11-acre lake, the campus is home to The Foundation Center for the Performing Arts. The Rutherfordton Learning Center houses nursing, fire and emergency services programs along with several other continuing education offerings. The Polk Center in Columbus offers GED, massage therapy, equine studies, and driving safety classes on a regular basis as well as a variety of continuing education classes.