- Southwest Virginia Community College is a two-year institution of higher education established as a part of a state-wide system of community colleges serving primarily the residents of the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson (partial), Russell and Tazewell. The College operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Local College Board. The institution is financed primarily by State funds supplemented by contributions from the participating localities.
School Highlights
Southwest Virginia Community College serves 2,364 students (47% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 28:1 is lower than the state community college average of 37:1.
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 55%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Enrollment: 2,364 students
- In-state tuition: $3,594
- Out-state tuition: $7,996
- Student-teacher ratio: 28:1
- Minority enrollment: 11%
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Southwest Virginia Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
Affordability
School Overview
The teacher population of 83 teachers has grown by 22% over five years.
Southwest Virginia Community College
(VA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Private, non-profit
Year Founded
1967
Total Faculty
83 staff
39 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Southwest Virginia Community College has declined by 24% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 28:1 has decreased from 46:1 over five years.
The Southwest Virginia Community College diversity score of 0.21 is less than the state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has grown by 435% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,364 students
1,380 students
Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
28:1
37:1
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Full-Time Students
1,101 students
585 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Part-Time Students
1,263 students
795 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Enrollment Undergraduate
2,364 students
924 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,101 students
415 students
Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,263 students
795 students
% Asian
1%
8%
% Hispanic
2%
14%
% Black
3%
22%
Showing 2010–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% White
89%
45%
Showing 2010–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Two or more races
3%
5%
% Non Resident races
1%
2%
% Unknown races
1%
4%
Diversity Score
0.21
0.72
Showing 2011–2025. View full 19-year historical data
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
44%
42%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry (measured in 2022-2023, in 2024 dollars)
$38,796
$41,835
Points are in the dollars of their own College Scorecard release, and the colleges behind the state line differ by period. The lines do not show inflation-adjusted growth.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $3,594 is more than the state average of $3,581. The in-state tuition has declined by 23% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $7,996 is less than the state average of $8,577. The out-state tuition has declined by 25% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,594
$3,581
Out-State Tuition Fees
$7,996
$8,577
Tuition Notes
In-state tuition is $163.36 per credit hour. Out-of-state tuition is $363.46 per credit hour.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
94%
86%
Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Sports
Total Sports Offered
12 sports
Sports
ArcheryBaseball
BasketballCheering
Cross CountryDance
GolfSoccer
SoftballTennis
VolleyballWrestling
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
21 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Campus Crusade for ChristEpsilon Pi Tau
eSportsHelping Minds Club
Honors ClubIntervoice Club
Lambda Alpha EpsilonLatent Image Club
Phi Beta LambdaPhi Theta Kappa
Practical Nursing ClubProject Achieve
Red Cross ClubRegistered Nursing Club
Student Government Association (SGA)Student Occupational Therapy Assistant Club
Student Veterans' AssocationTake Action for the Benefit of Animals
The Game Room Club
Arts and Music Programs:
Music Club
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Southwest Adventure Team (Outdoor Club)
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Southwest is a part of the Virginia Community College System and is located in the southwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nestled at the foot of the majestic Clinch Mountains, SWCC has a campus of 100 acres of hills and rolling valleys. Southwest opened in 1968 and serves the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson (partial), Russell and Tazewell. SWCC is truly a comprehensive institution of higher education and offers more than 60 programs of study leading to the associate degree, diploma, certificate or career studies certificate. The College delivers programming to a wide range of business and industry needs through its off-campus sites, the continuing education division and instructional divisions of business and engineering technologies. Southwest Virginia Community College offers programs of traditional classroom instruction and technologically enhanced courses generally extending not more than two years beyond high school. Educational opportunities for adults and college-age youth include instruction in associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs, as well as in continuing education. Counseling services and other student development programs assist students with decisions on occupational, educational, and personal goals. The College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Southwest Virginia Community College cost?
Southwest Virginia Community College's tuition is approximately $3,594 for In-State students and $7,996 for Out-State students.
What sports does Southwest Virginia Community College offer?
Southwest Virginia Community College offers 12 interscholastic sports: Archery, Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball and Wrestling.
What is Southwest Virginia Community College's ranking?
Southwest Virginia Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Virginia for: Least expensive tuition.
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