Rappahannock Community College: $4,958 Tuition

$4,958Tuition

1,318Students

40%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,121Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Rappahannock Community College

Rappahannock Community College serves the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula regions of Virginia with a focus on career preparation and workforce development. The college enrolls 1,318 students across multiple campuses in this rural coastal area. Students here often pursue nursing, business, and skilled trades programs that connect directly to local employment opportunities. The college has built strong partnerships with regional healthcare systems and maritime industries.

Students pay an average net price of $5,310 after financial aid, making this one of Virginia's more affordable higher education options. Graduates earn a median of $36,121 ten years after enrollment, which represents solid returns for a two-year investment. Only 24.89% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many come from working-class families who don't qualify for need-based aid but still benefit from low tuition costs. The 85.6% employment rate shows that most graduates find work quickly.

Women make up 67.30% of the student body, reflecting the college's strength in healthcare and education programs. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than at some community colleges, but the rural setting creates tight-knit campus communities. The 39.50% six-year graduation rate is typical for community colleges serving working adults and part-time students.

Academics & Faculty

Rappahannock Community College serves students across Virginia's Northern Neck with career-focused programs that connect directly to regional job markets. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes typical of community colleges, but faculty know the local economy well. With a 39.5% six-year graduation rate, the college serves many part-time and working students who take longer to complete degrees. The school emphasizes practical training in healthcare, trades, and business programs that prepare graduates for immediate employment. Many students transfer to four-year universities after completing general education requirements at lower costs than traditional colleges. The college's rural setting limits some program offerings but creates tight community connections.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 22:1
Full-Time Faculty: 21.3%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 39.5%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,121

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$20,140

View all 26 programs →

Campus Life

Campus life centers around a single main building in Virginia's rural Northern Neck, about 90 minutes from Richmond. With 67% women, the student body reflects the community college's strong nursing and healthcare programs that draw local residents. The 22:1 student-faculty ratio means classes stay personal despite limited resources.

Students commute from across the peninsula, with 100% in-state enrollment creating a tight-knit regional feel. The rural setting means long drives to entertainment, so most socializing happens between classes or at campus events. Virginia's humid subtropical climate requires both winter coats for January temperatures in the 40s and plenty of sunscreen for hot, sticky summers that stretch into September. Weekend activities center around nearby Chesapeake Bay recreation or trips to larger towns. The Gulls athletic programs provide some campus spirit, though most students balance coursework with jobs and family responsibilities. With an 85.6% employment rate after graduation, many students see this as a practical stepping stone rather than a traditional college experience.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1969

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 28°–49°F
July Avg: 68°–90°F
Annual Precipitation: 47.9"
Annual Snowfall: 9.6"

Student Demographics

The student body draws entirely from Virginia, reflecting the college's role as a regional workforce pipeline for the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Two-thirds of students are women, largely due to strong nursing and allied health programs that attract female learners. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families seeking affordable career training. The diverse racial composition mirrors the rural Virginia region, with the college providing accessible higher education to communities that might otherwise lack nearby options.

Men: 32.7%
Women: 67.3%
White: 60.6%
Black: 22.0%
Hispanic: 6.2%
Asian: 1.1%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 24.9%

Location

Glenns sits in Virginia's Northern Neck, about 90 miles southeast of Richmond. The campus serves a sparsely populated rural region where the Rappahannock River meets the Chesapeake Bay. This is working waterman country, where crab boats and oyster farms dot the shoreline. The college draws from small towns scattered across the peninsulas between major rivers. With 100% of students coming from in-state, RCC serves locals who want career training without leaving their tight-knit communities. The nearest Starbucks is probably an hour away. Think farmland, fishing villages, and long stretches of country roads connecting small settlements that have existed since colonial times. Students considering colleges in Virginia may also compare Rappahannock Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Glenns, Virginia 23149-2616

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,121
Median Earnings (5 years): $41,470
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,300

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Rappahannock Community College?

As a community college, Rappahannock Community College maintains an open enrollment policy for students with a high school diploma or GED. The school serves 1,318 students primarily from the Northern Neck region of Virginia. All enrolled students are Virginia residents, reflecting the college's role as a local access point for higher education.

How much does Rappahannock Community College cost after financial aid?

Students at Rappahannock Community College pay an average net price of $5,310 after aid. In-state tuition runs $4,958, making this one of Virginia's more affordable community colleges. Only 24.89% of students receive financial aid, suggesting many can afford the relatively low sticker price without assistance.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Rappahannock Community College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 22:1, which is typical for community colleges but higher than many four-year institutions. Classes focus heavily on career preparation and transfer pathways to four-year universities. The college operates on a semester calendar system to align with most Virginia transfer destinations.

What are employment outcomes like for Rappahannock Community College graduates?

Graduates achieve an 85.6% employment rate, demonstrating strong job market preparation. Median earnings reach $36,121 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the college's focus on practical workforce training. The 39.50% six-year graduation rate is standard for community colleges, where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees.

Where is Rappahannock Community College located and what is the campus like?

The main campus sits in Glenns, Virginia, in a rural setting that serves the sparsely populated Northern Neck peninsula. Founded in 1969, the college provides essential educational access in an area with limited higher education options. The Gulls athletic teams reflect the college's connection to the Chesapeake Bay region's maritime culture.

Does Rappahannock Community College have a diverse student body?

The student body is 67.30% women and 32.70% men, reflecting typical community college gender distributions. Racial diversity includes 60.62% white students, 22.00% Black students, and 6.22% Hispanic students. This demographic mix represents the broader population of Virginia's rural Northern Neck region.