PCC was designated and chartered by the North Carolina State Board of Education as an industrial education center in March, 1961. The college began its operation as Pitt Industrial Education Center during the same year. The programs developed and extended. The school was designated a technical institute by the State Board of Education in 1964. The name was changed in July, 1964, to Pitt Technical Institute.

In 1979, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted a bill that changed Pitt Technical Institute to Pitt Community College. The change brought about the addition of the two-year University Transfer programs. In 1997, Pitt Community College converted from a quarter system to a semester system.

The mission of Pitt Community College is to educate and empower people for success through learning. Pitt Community College attempts to establish positive learning environments that encourage academic excellence for all students.

Pitt Community College stands out most compared to other schools. Many students focusing in, technician, medical assistant and medical administration, engineering and computer science and production trades. Also there are a large number of programs of study offered. The PCC has an enrollment of over 10,000 students. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate's Degrees. PCC first received school accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1969.

Today, PCC offers 44 associate degree programs, certificate programs, 22 diploma programs, and 18 University Transfer programs leading to bachelors' degrees at four-year institutions. Academic programs are divided into five categories: Health Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Construction and Industrial Technology, Business, and Legal Science and Public Services. The College offers 200 classes via the Internet, telecourses and community-based classes. Moreover, college offers online programs and students can earn their degrees without ever stepping foot on the PCC campus.