Mountain Empire Community College Tuition & Completion
Mountain Empire Community College is a public community college in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, enrolling about 1,282 students. The college offers associate degrees, career certificates, and transfer pathways to four-year universities. Typical net price after grant aid is about $8,852 for students who receive it, compared with published tuition near $5,007. Student demographics in federal data include White (91.8%) and Black or African American (2.5%) among the largest enrollment groups.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $5,007
- 2024 Average Net Price: $8,852 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,282 56.4% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 48.00%
- Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical-High Nontraditional
- First-Generation Students: 57.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 2.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 28.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 23.9%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,723
- Room & Board: $6,030 annual estimate
Mountain Empire Community College: what the data shows
Common questions about Mountain Empire Community College, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Mountain Empire Community College?
Mountain Empire Community College is located in Big Stone Gap, VA (ZIP 24219).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is Mountain Empire Community College public or private?
Mountain Empire Community College is a Public institution.
How much does Mountain Empire Community College cost?
Published tuition: $5,007 in-state, $11,445 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $8,852.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $8,148 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $8,064 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $10,770 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $11,741 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $20,028.
How big is Mountain Empire Community College?
Total enrollment: 1,282 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,723 students.
About 56% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Mountain Empire Community College?
150%-time completion rate: 48.00%.
First-year retention: 64.3%.
What do graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn?
Median earnings: $30,368 six years after entry; $32,622 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
43.37% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Mountain Empire Community College known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (126 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other (114 completions)
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other (91 completions)
- Welding Technology/Welder (51 completions)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (42 completions)
- Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians, Other (39 completions)
- Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training (34 completions)
- Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician (32 completions)
- Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (26 completions)
- Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (26 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Mountain Empire Community College a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 48.00%; median earnings $32,622 at 10 years; net price $8,852. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$5,007
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Mountain Empire Community College was $5,007.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$8,852
2024 Value
In 2024 Mountain Empire Community College had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $8,852.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$35,408 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$8,852 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$20,028 4-Year In-State Tuition
$45,780 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$6,030 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$1,780 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$12,817 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$51,268 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Mountain Empire Community College.
Financial Aid by Income Level
43.37% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
0.00% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Mountain Empire Community College was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Mountain Empire Community College in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $3,192 | $7,862 | $4,609 |
| 2014 | $3,336 | $8,006 | $4,593 |
| 2015 | $4,365 | $10,203 | $6,129 |
| 2016 | $4,478 | $10,376 | $5,981 |
| 2017 | $4,598 | $10,526 | $6,411 |
| 2018 | $4,710 | $10,638 | $6,344 |
| 2019 | $4,710 | $10,713 | $6,062 |
| 2020 | $4,710 | $10,713 | $5,401 |
| 2021 | $4,710 | $10,713 | $8,339 |
| 2022 | $4,725 | $10,728 | $5,612 |
| 2023 | $4,863 | $10,866 | $7,226 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Mountain Empire Community College reported total enrollment of about 1,282 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 39% male and 61% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (91.8%), Black or African American (2.5%), and Hispanic or Latino (2.3%). About 43.37% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 57.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
56.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Mountain Empire Community College in 2024 is 1,282 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,723 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
64.3%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 91.8%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
35.56% 100% Completion Time
48.00% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 35.56% of students graduating from Mountain Empire Community College completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 38% male / 62% female
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other: 38% male / 62% female
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other: 13% male / 87% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Mountain Empire Community College.
Return on Investment
$32,622 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
821.32% Return on Investment
Financial value analysis for Mountain Empire Community College.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 33 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 126 completions
2. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other: 114 completions
3. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other: 91 completions
4. Welding Technology/Welder: 51 completions
5. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 42 completions
6. Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians, Other: 39 completions
7. Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training: 34 completions
8. Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician: 32 completions
9. Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration: 26 completions
Most popular programs at Mountain Empire Community College.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Mountain Empire Community College graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Mountain Empire Community College from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 23.9%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,595
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $8,461
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Mountain Empire Community College is a public institution located in Big Stone Gap, VA, classified as Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical-High Nontraditional. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other, Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. Enrollment is approximately 1,282 students. Student body composition includes White (91.8%), Black or African American (2.5%), Hispanic or Latino (2.3%). The 150%-time completion rate is 48.00%. Approximately 43.37% of students receive Pell Grants. About 57.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Vocational & Technical-High Nontraditional
Location
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Mountain Empire Community College provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mountain Empire Community College located?
Mountain Empire Community College is located in Big Stone Gap, VA.
How much does Mountain Empire Community College cost?
Reported tuition is $5,007 and average net price is $8,852 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $6,030 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Mountain Empire Community College?
Mountain Empire Community College reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,723 students, White (91.8%), Black or African American (2.5%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Mountain Empire Community College?
About 57.1% of students at Mountain Empire Community College are first-generation college students.
What do graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn?
Median earnings are $30,368 six years after entry and $32,622 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Mountain Empire Community College?
The 150%-time completion rate is 48.0% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
Is Mountain Empire Community College public or private?
Mountain Empire Community College is a public institution located in Big Stone Gap, VA.
Is Mountain Empire Community College an HBCU?
No. Mountain Empire Community College is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Mountain Empire Community College a tribal college?
No. Mountain Empire Community College is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Mountain Empire Community College a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
Using a 25% Hispanic enrollment threshold on College Scorecard demographics, Mountain Empire Community College does not meet that proxy (reported share 2.3%).
Is Mountain Empire Community College religiously affiliated?
No religious affiliation is reported for Mountain Empire Community College in IPEDS institutional characteristics.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Virginia college costs
- Virginia colleges by ROI
- Virginia trade schools profile
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Virginia
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.