Virginia Western Community College: $5,256 Tuition

$5,256Tuition

3,777Students

41%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$38,787Earnings

Public2-yearData: 2023-24

About Virginia Western Community College

Virginia Western Community College serves the Roanoke Valley as a stepping stone for career advancement and university transfer. The college enrolls 3,777 students in programs designed to connect directly to local employment opportunities or prepare students for four-year institutions. Nearly all students (99.80%) come from Virginia, reflecting the college's deep roots in the community it serves.

Students pay an average net price of $5,618 after financial aid, making it an accessible option for working families. Graduates earn a median of $38,787 ten years after starting, while carrying manageable debt loads of $11,000. Monthly loan payments average just $117, and the college maintains a strong 94.0% employment rate for graduates. For students from lower-income families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to $4,735.

The student body is 58.75% women and 66.35% white, with significant Black (13.37%) and Hispanic (7.81%) representation. Classes average 23 students per faculty member, providing more personal attention than many larger institutions. While the six-year graduation rate sits at 40.60%, this reflects the reality that many community college students attend part-time while working or transfer before completing their associate degrees.

Academics & Faculty

Virginia Western focuses on career preparation and transfer education for the Roanoke Valley. The college offers strong programs in nursing, allied health, and skilled trades that connect directly to local job markets. Students can also complete their first two years before transferring to four-year universities like Virginia Tech or Radford. With a 23:1 student-faculty ratio, classes tend to be larger than typical community colleges, which means less individual attention from professors. The 40.6% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students attend part-time while working or take longer to complete their programs. Career-focused students find solid preparation for immediate employment in healthcare and technical fields.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 23:1
Full-Time Faculty: 30.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 40.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $38,787

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Associate	$61,350
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$53,537
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$48,823
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$37,568
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$35,060
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Associate	$33,993
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions.	Certificate	$29,685
Legal Support Services.	Associate	$28,019
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services.	Associate	$26,933
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Certificate	$26,585

View all 66 programs →

Campus Life

Virginia Western sits in the heart of Roanoke, a small city nestled in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains about 250 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. With 99.80% of students coming from in-state, you'll find a tight-knit community of locals pursuing everything from nursing to automotive technology. The campus buzzes during the day but empties by evening since there's no student housing. Students often grab coffee between classes at the student center or study in small groups given the 23:1 student-faculty ratio.

Roanoke's four-season climate means you'll need both winter coats for January snow and shorts for humid summers. The surrounding mountains offer hiking trails and scenic drives that many students explore on weekends. With 58.75% of students being women and a median age higher than traditional colleges, the social scene revolves more around study groups and community connections than campus parties. Students often work part-time jobs in Roanoke's healthcare and manufacturing sectors, which aligns with the college's career-focused programs that lead to a 94.0% employment rate after graduation.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1966

Campus Safety (2023)

4 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Noncampus
Stalking	2	0
Dating Violence	1	0
Motor Vehicle Theft	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 28°–47°F
July Avg: 67°–88°F
Annual Precipitation: 42.8"
Annual Snowfall: 14.8"

Student Demographics

Virginia Western draws primarily local students, with nearly all enrollment coming from within Virginia. The student body skews female at 59%, reflecting strong programs in healthcare, education, and human services that traditionally attract more women. About 30% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the college serves many working-class families in the Roanoke Valley. The diverse mix includes two-thirds white students alongside significant Black and Hispanic populations. This demographic makeup mirrors the broader Roanoke community, positioning Virginia Western as an accessible stepping stone for local residents seeking career training or university transfer preparation.

Men: 41.3%
Women: 58.8%
White: 66.4%
Black: 13.4%
Hispanic: 7.8%
Asian: 3.5%
In-State Students: 99.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 29.7%

Location

Virginia Western Community College sits in Roanoke, Virginia, a city of about 100,000 people in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Roanoke lies roughly 240 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. and 190 miles west of Richmond. The area blends Appalachian culture with modern amenities, earning Roanoke the nickname "Star City of the South." Students benefit from the outdoor recreation opportunities in the surrounding mountains and valleys. The 99.80% in-state enrollment reflects the college's strong local ties to the Roanoke Valley community. The region offers internships and job opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation sectors. Students considering colleges in Virginia may also compare Virginia Western Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Roanoke, Virginia 24015

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $38,787
Median Earnings (5 years): $43,625
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $27,400
Loan Repayment Rate: 36.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $117/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $11,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Virginia Western Community College?

Virginia Western has an open-door admission policy typical of community colleges, accepting virtually all applicants who apply. The college serves 3,777 students primarily from the Roanoke Valley, with 99.80% coming from Virginia. Founded in 1966, it focuses on providing accessible higher education and workforce training to the local community.

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

Students pay an average net price of $5,618 annually, making it one of the most affordable college options in Virginia. In-state tuition runs $5,256 while out-of-state students pay $11,259. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,735 net price, reflecting the college's commitment to affordability.

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

The student-faculty ratio stands at 23:1, which is higher than many four-year institutions but typical for community colleges. Virginia Western is known for its career-focused programs and strong transfer pathways to universities. The college operates on a semester system and maintains strong connections with local employers in the Roanoke Valley.

What are the job prospects for Virginia Western Community College graduates?

Graduates achieve a 94.0% employment rate, demonstrating strong workforce preparation. The median earnings reach $38,787 ten years after graduation, reflecting the college's emphasis on practical, career-oriented training. Virginia Western has built a reputation for producing work-ready graduates in high-demand fields across the Roanoke Valley region.

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

The college sits in Roanoke, Virginia, a small city setting that provides urban amenities while maintaining a close-knit community feel. With 58.75% women and 41.25% men, the student body reflects the college's appeal across diverse populations. The campus serves as a center for students from throughout the Roanoke Valley seeking accessible higher education close to home.

How many Virginia Western Community College students complete their programs?

The six-year graduation rate reaches 40.60%, which is competitive for community colleges where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. Students who do borrow graduate with a median debt of just $11,000, keeping financial burden low. The college's focus on both career preparation and university transfer options gives students multiple pathways to success.