Southside Virginia Community College: $4,848 Tuition

$4,848Tuition

1,835Students

35%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$32,371Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Southside Virginia Community College

Southside Virginia Community College serves 1,835 students in the heart of rural Alberta. The Panthers focus on workforce development and career training programs that directly connect to regional employment opportunities. This community college has built a reputation for practical education that gets students into the job market quickly. Two-thirds of students are women, reflecting strong enrollment in health sciences and human services programs.

Students pay an average net price of $6,194 after financial aid, making this one of Virginia's most affordable higher education options. Graduates earn a median of $32,371 ten years after enrollment. The 89.8% employment rate shows that despite modest earnings, most graduates find work in their fields. Only 34% of students receive Pell grants, suggesting many come from working families who still struggle with college costs but don't qualify for maximum aid.

The student body reflects the region's demographics, with 46% white students and 42% Black students creating a diverse learning environment. All students come from Virginia, giving the campus a tight-knit community feel. The 25:1 student-faculty ratio means classes can be large, but the semester system allows for intensive skill-building in career-focused programs.

Academics & Faculty

Southside Virginia Community College serves rural Virginia with practical career programs designed for local workforce needs. The 25:1 student-faculty ratio means larger classes than four-year colleges, but instructors focus on hands-on training rather than theoretical coursework. Students can pursue associate degrees in nursing, business administration, and various technical fields that connect directly to regional job opportunities. The 34.7% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students attend part-time while working or raising families. The college emphasizes certificate programs in welding, automotive technology, and healthcare that can be completed quickly. Women make up 66.6% of enrollment, largely driven by strong nursing and healthcare programs that prepare students for immediate employment in rural Virginia's medical facilities.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 25:1
Full-Time Faculty: 29.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 34.7%
Median Earnings (10 years): $32,371

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$50,105
Ground Transportation.	Certificate	$37,568
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$35,060
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$27,823
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies.	Certificate	$26,739
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions.	Certificate	$20,368
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions.	Associate	$20,140
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Associate	$19,358
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$16,598

View all 44 programs →

Campus Life

Southside Virginia serves students across a vast rural territory in southern Virginia, drawing from farming communities and small towns scattered throughout Brunswick, Mecklenburg, and Charlotte counties. With 66% of students being women, the campus reflects the regional trend of women pursuing healthcare and business certifications while men often enter trades directly. Alberta sits about 90 minutes south of Richmond, surrounded by tobacco fields and pine forests where winter temperatures regularly dip into the 20s.

The 25:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than most community colleges, but professors know the challenges facing rural students. Nearly 42% of students are Black, reflecting the area's demographics and the school's role as an educational bridge in underserved communities. Students commute from as far as 45 minutes away since no campus housing exists. Weekend life revolves around family obligations, part-time jobs, and community events rather than campus activities. The Panthers compete in intramural sports, but most students balance coursework with work schedules that help support their families.

Setting: Rural-Remote
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1970

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 27°–49°F
July Avg: 67°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 47.4"
Annual Snowfall: 9.6"

Student Demographics

Southside Virginia serves its local rural community with students who are two-thirds women, reflecting strong nursing and healthcare programs that draw from surrounding counties. The student body is nearly evenly split between white and Black students, mirroring the demographics of south-central Virginia. One in three students receives Pell Grants, showing the college's role in providing affordable education to working-class families. All students come from Virginia, demonstrating deep roots in the region. The college attracts career-focused students seeking practical training close to home rather than traditional four-year degrees.

Men: 33.4%
Women: 66.6%
White: 46.3%
Black: 41.6%
Hispanic: 5.0%
Asian: 0.7%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 34.2%

Location

Alberta sits in rural southside Virginia, about 60 miles south of Richmond and 30 miles north of the North Carolina border. The town has fewer than 400 residents and serves as the county seat for Brunswick County. This tobacco and farming region defines rural America, with wide open fields and small communities scattered across the countryside. The campus draws students from across Virginia's rural southern counties. All students come from in-state, reflecting the college's role serving local communities where agricultural traditions run deep. Students considering colleges in Virginia may also compare Southside Virginia Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Alberta, Virginia 23821

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $32,371
Median Earnings (5 years): $36,766
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $22,900

Frequently Asked Questions

How competitive is admission to Southside Virginia Community College?

Community colleges typically have open enrollment policies that welcome all students regardless of academic background. The college draws exclusively from Virginia residents, with 100% in-state enrollment. This rural institution serves as an accessible entry point to higher education for students across southern Virginia.

What does Southside Virginia Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $6,194 annually, making it one of the most affordable college options available. About 34% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating significant financial need among the student body. The low cost structure helps working adults and first-generation college students access career training and transfer programs.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Southside Virginia Community College?

The college maintains a 25:1 student-faculty ratio, which is higher than many four-year institutions but typical for community colleges. Classes focus on practical skills and workforce preparation rather than research. The faculty emphasizes hands-on learning that prepares students for immediate employment or transfer to four-year universities.

How successful are graduates from Southside Virginia Community College?

The college achieves an impressive 89.8% employment rate among its graduates, demonstrating strong workforce connections. However, only 34.7% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the challenges many working adults face in balancing education with other responsibilities. Graduates earn a median salary of $32,371 ten years after enrollment, which aligns with regional economic opportunities.

Where is Southside Virginia Community College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in Alberta, Virginia, a rural-remote community that reflects the agricultural heritage of southern Virginia. With just 1,835 students spread across a small campus, the Panthers create a tight-knit community atmosphere. The rural setting means limited campus housing and nightlife, but students appreciate the personal attention and close relationships with faculty.

What makes Southside Virginia Community College unique in terms of student demographics?

Women comprise 66.59% of the student body, reflecting national trends in community college enrollment where working mothers often return to education. The student population is diverse for rural Virginia, with 46.32% White students and 41.58% Black students creating a balanced racial composition. This demographic mix reflects the college's role in serving underrepresented communities throughout the region.