College of The Albemarle (COA) serves the Outer Banks with locations throughout northeastern North Carolina including a campus in Manteo, one in Elizabeth City, and a third in Edenton. COA is one of 58 member institutions of the North Carolina System of Community Colleges and is dedicated to its mission of providing accessible education, training, and retraining for better jobs and lives.

COA offers something for everyone-from young adults to retirees-programs are offered throughout the year to meet the lifelong learning needs of all citizens. A comprehensive community college, COA offers two-year degrees in college transfer and career programs, basic skills programs, continuing education classes for personal enrichment as well as credit, customized business and industry training, and cultural enrichment opportunities.

Credits earned at COA in curricula leading to the Associate in Arts degree and Associate in Science degree, and some of those leading to the Associate in Fine Arts degree, Associate in Applied Science degree and Associate in General Education degree are transferable to senior colleges and universities for a higher degree. Low in-state tuition rates make college education affordable for virtually every person and family on the Outer Banks. Even at out-of-state rates an education at COA is one of the best buys in higher education today. Private scholarships, federal financial aid and other forms of student assistance are readily available for those who apply by April 15th each year.

The college has two campuses on Roanoke Island located less than a mile apart: the Dare County Campus on Russell Twiford Rd, and the Roanoke Island Campus on Hwy 264.  They are easily accessible from the North Beaches, Hatteras Island, the mainland, and nearby Currituck communities. A satellite facility, the Driftwood Center, houses the college's state-of-the-art pottery studio. The Driftwood Center is located on Manteo's Driftwood Drive. Another satellite facility on Water Plant Road in Manteo presently houses the jewelry studio.

The 37,000 square foot Dare County campus features two buildings, seven classrooms, two computer labs, and an 80-seat Information Highway Room in which programs can be offered via satellite or two-way video and audio conference from locations throughout the state. Using this application, the instructor and students can see and talk with each other. This high-tech facility, the Diane Baum St. Clair Technology Education Center, is named after the late, local philanthropist who contributed significantly to the college. Additional funds came from Dare County and the 1993 bond referendum supported by community members throughout the state.

The college's state-of-the-art pottery studio at the Driftwood Center was opened in 2003 to support the Professional Crafts Clay program. Students may earn certificates or a two-year degree focusing on the art of pottery making as well as the business skills needed to help them establish a business from their craft if that is their goal. A second Professional Crafts program-injewelry-was recently added to COA's offerings. Students may earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in jewelry-making, design, and repair. The Professional Jewelry and Clay programs provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to build a business from their artisan talent. Each program combines technical knowledge and design skills with marketing and business essentials. These two programs are part of a greater vision for establishing a comprehensive arts and crafts offering at the Dare County Campus.