Public · Mostly certificates · Distant town

Mountain Empire Community College

Big Stone Gap, Virginia. 1,282 undergraduates.

56%Graduation rate15 pts below the national median for similar colleges (71%)
$7,931Average net price per year55% below the national median for similar colleges ($17,716)
$36,661Median earnings 10 years after startingAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
—Median debt at graduation

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$7,521
$30,000–$48,000$5,524
$48,001–$75,000$9,119
$75,001–$110,000$10,344
Over $110,000$14,831

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $5,154 in-state, $11,667 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate56%71%
Return for second year64%77%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$35,762$33,491
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$36,661$36,576
Median debt at graduation—$9,500

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly certificates).

Programs and what graduates earn

39 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Construction Trades, General0$59,787——
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants34$35,375$53,643—
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions—$31,417$45,239—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities114—$33,937—
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions104$31,588—$5,500
Natural Resources Conservation and Research12———
Computer and Information Sciences, General14———
Surveying Engineering2———
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians25———
Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians18———
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians12———
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians5———
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians4———
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services19———
Legal Support Services9———
Criminal Justice and Corrections15———
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers9———
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)26———
Energy Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians10———
Precision Metal Working51———
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions6———
Health and Medical Administrative Services26———
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions21———
Business Administration, Management and Operations14———
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services3———
Real Estate2———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Similar colleges in Virginia

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Mountain Empire Community College cost per year?
The average net price at Mountain Empire Community College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $7,931 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Mountain Empire Community College graduates earn?
Former Mountain Empire Community College students earn a median of $36,661 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Mountain Empire Community College?
56% of Mountain Empire Community College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.