The mission of Virginia Western Community College is to provide comprehensive higher education and workforce training programs and services of superior quality that are affordable and accessible and that meet individual, business, and community needs in the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas.Virginia Western endeavors to fulfill this mission by fostering the belief that all people should have an equal opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge, and values. The College promotes this concept by making quality higher education available through its open door admission policy, affordable tuition, financial assistance, and student support services.
School Highlights
Virginia Western Community College serves 5,738 students (29% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is same as the state community college average of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 20% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 48%.
Quick Stats (2023)
Enrollment: 5,738 students
In-state tuition: $4,174
Out-state tuition: $9,624
Student:teacher ratio: 17:1
Minority enrollment: 20%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
The student population of Virginia Western Community College has declined by 21% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 has decreased from 19:1 over five years.
The Virginia Western Community College diversity score of 0.35 is less than the state average of 0.66. The school's diversity has declined by 15% over five years.
Total Enrollment
5,738 students
2,086 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
17:1
# Full-Time Students
1,654 students
843 students
# Part-Time Students
4,084 students
1,243 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
354 students
232 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,654 students
802 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
169 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
n/a
1,243 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
20 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
476 students
% Asian
4%
7%
% Hispanic
4%
12%
% Black
8%
21%
% White
80%
52%
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
% Two or more races
3%
4%
% Non Resident races
n/a
2%
% Unknown races
1%
2%
Diversity Score
0.35
0.66
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
35%
38%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.19%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$31,400
$29,600
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $4,174 is more than the state average of $3,736. The in-state tuition has declined by 20% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $9,624 is more than the state average of $8,977. The out-state tuition has declined by 13% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,174
$3,736
Out-State Tuition Fees
$9,624
$8,977
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
84%
85%
Median Debt for Graduates
$11,000
$11,000
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
n/a
71%
Source: 2021 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
Virginia Western Community College is a two-year public institution
of higher education operating under a statewide system of community
colleges. The College operates under the policies established by
the State Board for Community Colleges and the Virginia Western
Community College Board. The service region of the College includes
Roanoke, Salem, Roanoke County, Craig County, southern Botetourt
County, and northern Franklin County. Day, evening, and weekend
classes are provided on a 70-acre campus located in Southwest
Roanoke. Classes are also offered at off-campus locations in the
area. The College was established in 1966 and has grown from an
initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current enrollment of over
9,000. Virginia Western provides an extensive schedule of course
offerings and programs to serve the diverse needs of students,
including Associate Degree programs to prepare individuals for
transfer as upper-division students to baccalaureate degree
programs in four-year colleges and universities, Associate Degree
programs to prepare individuals for careers as technical and
paraprofessional workers and Certificate and Career Studies
programs, which prepare individuals for careers as technicians,
skilled, and semi-skilled workers. Virginia Western Community
College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Virginia Western Community College cost?
Virginia Western Community College's tuition is approximately $4,174 for In-State students and $9,624 for Out-State students.
What is Virginia Western Community College's ranking?
Virginia Western Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Virginia for: Least expensive tuition.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Virginia Western Community College is American National University (4.6 miles away)
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Quick Stats (2023)
Enrollment: 5,738 students
In-state tuition: $4,174
Out-state tuition: $9,624
Student:teacher ratio: 17:1
Minority enrollment: 20%
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
For Virginia public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,736 per year for in-state students and $8,977 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $15,561 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.
