Eastern Shore Community College: $4,938 Tuition

$4,938Tuition

433Students

36%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$32,418Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Eastern Shore Community College

Eastern Shore Community College serves 433 students in Virginia's rural Eastern Shore, where agriculture and seafood industries shape daily life. The college focuses on career training and transfer programs that match the region's economic needs, from healthcare to business administration. With a 19:1 student-faculty ratio, classes stay small enough for personal attention, which matters when you're starting your college journey or changing careers.

The financial picture works in students' favor here. In-state tuition costs $4,938, but the average student pays just $4,975 after aid, meaning financial support covers nearly all costs for many families. Graduates earn a median of $32,418 ten years out, which represents solid earning power for a two-year degree. The 36.63% of students who receive Pell Grants pay even less, with families earning under $30,000 paying about $4,821 annually.

The student body reflects the region's diversity, with 32.33% Black students, 36.49% White students, and 19.86% Hispanic students. Women make up 64.43% of enrollment, typical for community colleges where many students pursue healthcare and education programs. With an 85.7% employment rate and all students coming from Virginia, this college clearly serves its local community well, preparing graduates for jobs they can find close to home.

Academics & Faculty

Eastern Shore Community College serves students across Virginia's Eastern Shore with career-focused programs that reflect the region's agricultural and maritime economy. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay small enough for instructors to know each student personally, which matters since many students here are first-generation college attendees or working adults returning to school. Popular programs include nursing, business administration, and trades like welding and automotive technology that connect directly to local job markets. The 36% graduation rate reflects the reality that many students transfer to four-year schools before completing their associate degrees, while others pause their studies to work and support families before finishing their programs.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Full-Time Faculty: 43.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 36.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $32,418

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$15,182

View all 23 programs →

Campus Life

Eastern Shore Community College sits in Melfa, a small farming town on Virginia's Eastern Shore peninsula, about 150 miles from Virginia Beach and even farther from major cities like Richmond or Washington DC. This is rural America, where you'll see more farmland than shopping centers. The area gets humid summers that require plenty of sunscreen and mild winters where you'll need a light jacket but rarely heavy coats.

With just 433 students total, this feels more like an extension of high school than a traditional college campus. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and notice when you're absent. Since 100% of students come from Virginia and this is a commuter school with no dorms, most students drive to campus from nearby towns and head home after classes. The student body is 64% women and reflects the local community's diversity, with 36% white students, 32% Black students, and 20% Hispanic students. Weekend social life happens off campus, often involving trips to Virginia Beach or Norfolk when students want city amenities, though many work part-time jobs in the area's agricultural and tourism industries.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 30°–48°F
July Avg: 69°–87°F
Annual Precipitation: 47.2"
Annual Snowfall: 6.6"

Student Demographics

Eastern Shore Community College draws students from across Virginia's rural Eastern Shore peninsula, with all 433 students coming from in-state. The student body is 64% women, reflecting the college's strong programs in nursing, education, and health sciences that traditionally attract more female students. About 37% receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families from this agricultural and fishing region. The diverse racial mix, with 36% white, 32% Black, and 20% Hispanic students, mirrors the Eastern Shore's changing demographics as Latino families have moved here for agricultural work.

Men: 35.6%
Women: 64.4%
White: 36.5%
Black: 32.3%
Hispanic: 19.9%
Asian: 0.7%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 36.6%

Location

Eastern Shore Community College sits in Melfa, Virginia, a rural town on the Delmarva Peninsula about 200 miles southeast of Washington D.C. This is farming and fishing country, where students drive past chicken houses and cornfields to get to class. The college serves Virginia's Eastern Shore, a narrow strip of land between the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. With 100% in-state enrollment, all 433 students come from this tight-knit peninsula community. The nearest city of any size is Virginia Beach, over two hours away by car and ferry. Students here often work in agriculture, tourism, or the seafood industry while earning their degrees. Students considering colleges in Virginia may also compare Eastern Shore Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Melfa, Virginia 23410

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $32,418
Median Earnings (5 years): $33,288
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $23,300

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Eastern Shore Community College?

Eastern Shore Community College maintains open enrollment as a community college, welcoming all students who have completed high school or earned a GED. The school serves 433 students in Virginia's rural Eastern Shore region. As a community college, it focuses on providing accessible higher education to local residents seeking career training or transfer preparation.

How much does Eastern Shore Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $4,975 annually at Eastern Shore Community College. In-state tuition runs $4,938 while out-of-state students pay $10,941, though all current students are Virginia residents. About 37% of students receive financial aid, with those earning under $30,000 paying around $4,821 after aid.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Eastern Shore Community College?

Eastern Shore Community College maintains a 19:1 student-faculty ratio across its programs. The college operates on a semester calendar system and focuses heavily on workforce development for the rural Delmarva Peninsula. Students can expect smaller class sizes typical of community colleges serving rural areas.

What are typical earnings for Eastern Shore Community College graduates?

Graduates earn a median of $32,418 ten years after starting at Eastern Shore Community College. The college boasts an 85.7% employment rate, reflecting strong job placement in the region's healthcare, hospitality, and agricultural sectors. About 36% of students complete their programs within six years.

Where is Eastern Shore Community College located and what is campus life like?

Eastern Shore Community College sits in Melfa, Virginia, in a rural-remote setting on the Delmarva Peninsula. The student body of 433 is 64% female and diverse, with 36% White, 32% Black, and 20% Hispanic students. The small size creates a close-knit community atmosphere typical of rural community colleges.

Does Eastern Shore Community College offer federal student loans?

Eastern Shore Community College has a 0% federal loan rate, meaning students typically don't need to borrow money to attend. The low cost structure with average net prices under $5,000 makes the college accessible without debt. Only 11% of students receive institutional grants averaging $5,170, as most can afford the affordable tuition rates.