Southwest Virginia Community College: $4,901 Tuition

$4,901Tuition

1,600Students

44%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$34,221Earnings

Public2-yearNAIAData: 2023-24

About Southwest Virginia Community College

The Flying Eagles serve Appalachian Virginia with practical programs that prepare students for immediate employment. Southwest Virginia Community College enrolls 1,600 students in this rural mountain community, focusing on career training and workforce development. The college emphasizes hands-on learning in fields like nursing, welding, and information technology that match regional job opportunities.

Students pay an average of $8,838 after financial aid, making this one of the more affordable paths to career training in Virginia. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's mission to serve working-class families. Graduates earn a median of $34,221 within ten years, which represents solid returns for many technical programs. The 91.5% employment rate shows employers value the practical skills students develop here.

Women make up 64% of the student body, typical for community colleges with strong health science programs. The college fields 13 varsity sports with 125 student-athletes competing in NAIA divisions. Nearly 93% of students come from Virginia, creating a tight-knit community where classmates often become long-term professional networks. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio allows for personalized attention in both academic and career guidance.

Academics & Faculty

Southwest Virginia Community College serves rural Appalachian communities with practical career-focused programs. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to instructors in this small-town setting. Nearly half of students graduate within six years at 43.8%, which reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing work and family obligations. The college emphasizes workforce development programs that prepare students for local industries like healthcare, business, and trades. Students benefit from affordable education with 45% receiving Pell grants. The semester calendar system allows flexibility for working adults. Programs focus on transferable credits and career certifications that connect directly to employment opportunities in Southwest Virginia's economy.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Full-Time Faculty: 38.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 43.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $34,221

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$55,151
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$41,937
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$38,289
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$28,792
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions.	Certificate	$20,596
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$16,345

View all 55 programs →

Campus Life

Cedar Bluff sits in the heart of Appalachian coal country, about 90 miles southwest of Roanoke. The campus serves a largely local population, with 92.89% of students coming from Virginia. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, so pack a heavy coat for January walks between buildings. The rural setting means most entertainment happens on campus or requires a drive to nearby towns.

Women make up 64.19% of the student body, creating a female-majority environment. As a commuter school, most students drive home after classes rather than gathering for weekend activities. The Flying Eagles compete in 13 varsity sports with 125 total athletes, giving the small campus some athletic energy. Students often work part-time jobs while taking classes, preparing for careers in healthcare, business, and technical fields that serve the region's economy. The 19:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know their students personally. Campus life revolves around academics and career preparation rather than traditional college social scenes.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1968

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 22°–44°F
July Avg: 61°–83°F
Annual Precipitation: 44.6"
Annual Snowfall: 17.6"

Student Demographics

Nearly 93% of students come from Virginia, reflecting Southwest Virginia Community College's role as an educational anchor for Appalachian communities. Women make up almost two-thirds of the student body, drawn to the college's strong nursing and healthcare programs that serve regional medical needs. The student population is overwhelmingly white, mirroring the demographics of rural southwest Virginia. Nearly half of all students receive Pell Grants, demonstrating the college's mission to provide affordable higher education to working-class families in coal country and surrounding mountain towns.

Men: 35.8%
Women: 64.2%
White: 90.2%
Black: 3.1%
Hispanic: 1.9%
Asian: 0.4%
In-State Students: 92.9%
Pell Grant Recipients: 45.1%

Location

Southwest Virginia Community College sits in Cedar Bluff, a small town in the Appalachian Mountains about 90 miles southwest of Roanoke. The campus serves a predominantly rural region where 93% of students come from in-state. Cedar Bluff lies in the heart of coal country, surrounded by forested hills and mining communities that have shaped the area's economy for generations. The college draws from across southwestern Virginia's tight-knit mountain communities. With just 1,600 students spread across a sparsely populated region, the Flying Eagles compete in 13 NAIA sports that often travel significant distances for games. Students considering colleges in Virginia may also compare Southwest Virginia Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Cedar Bluff, Virginia 24609

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $34,221
Median Earnings (5 years): $39,624
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,900

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Southwest Virginia Community College?

Southwest Virginia Community College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges. The school enrolls 1,600 students and serves as an accessible entry point to higher education in rural Appalachian Virginia.

How much does Southwest Virginia Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $8,838 annually at Southwest Virginia Community College. Nearly half of students (45.08%) receive Pell Grants, reflecting the college's role serving lower-income families in rural southwest Virginia.

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

Southwest Virginia Community College maintains a 19:1 student-faculty ratio across its programs. The college focuses on career and technical education alongside traditional transfer preparation for students in the coal mining region.

What do graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College typically earn?

Graduates earn a median of $34,221 ten years after starting at Southwest Virginia Community College. The 91.5% employment rate reflects strong job placement in healthcare, mining technology, and other regional industries.

Where is Southwest Virginia Community College located?

Southwest Virginia Community College sits in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, in a rural mountain setting. The campus draws 92.89% of its 1,600 students from in-state, primarily serving the Appalachian communities of southwest Virginia.

Does Southwest Virginia Community College have athletics programs?

Southwest Virginia Community College fields 13 varsity sports with 125 total athletes competing as the Flying Eagles in NAIA competition. The college awards $350,078 in athletic scholarships, providing opportunities for student-athletes in this rural region.