Best Community Colleges in Virginia 2024

Badge for BEST IN VIRGINIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Virginia offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.

10 Best Community Colleges in Virginia

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  1. Northern Virginia Community College
  2. Danville Community College
  3. Tidewater Community College
  4. Virginia Peninsula Community College
  5. Richard Bland College
  6. Germanna Community College
  7. Piedmont Virginia Community College
  8. Virginia Western Community College
  9. Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
  10. Patrick & Henry Community College
  1. Columbia College
  2. Northern Virginia Community College
  3. Tidewater Community College
  4. Richard Bland College
  5. Danville Community College
  6. Brightpoint Community College
  7. Piedmont Virginia Community College
  8. Virginia Highlands Community College
  9. Virginia Western Community College
  10. Central Virginia Community College
  1. Richard Bland College 79%
  1. New River Community College 28 to 1
  2. Northern Virginia Community College 28 to 1
  3. Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale 28 to 1
  4. Richard Bland College 27 to 1
  5. Laurel Ridge Community College 25 to 1
  6. Southside Virginia Community College 24 to 1
  7. Virginia Western Community College 23 to 1
  8. Wytheville Community College 23 to 1
  9. Germanna Community College 23 to 1
  10. Rappahannock Community College 22 to 1
  1. Columbia College $8,820
  2. Richard Bland College $6,030
  3. Northern Virginia Community College $5,412
  4. Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale $5,412
  5. J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College $4,743
  6. Tidewater Community College $4,680
  7. Virginia Western Community College $4,680
  8. Virginia Peninsula Community College $4,680
  9. Piedmont Virginia Community College $4,650
  10. Brightpoint Community College $4,650
    1. Eastern Shore Community College
    2. Brightpoint Community College
    3. Laurel Ridge Community College
    4. Columbia College
    5. Mountain Gateway Community College
    6. Blue Ridge Community College
    7. Paul D. Camp Community College
    8. Wytheville Community College
    9. Mountain Empire Community College
    10. J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
    1. Eastern Shore Community College
    2. Blue Ridge Community College
    3. Mountain Gateway Community College
    4. Wytheville Community College
    5. Mountain Empire Community College
    6. Southside Virginia Community College
    7. Virginia Peninsula Community College
    8. Patrick & Henry Community College
    9. Rappahannock Community College
    10. Southwest Virginia Community College
    1. Richard Bland College 79%
    1. Columbia College 12 to 1
    2. Eastern Shore Community College 16 to 1
    3. Mountain Gateway Community College 16 to 1
    4. Virginia Highlands Community College 17 to 1
    5. Patrick & Henry Community College 18 to 1
    6. Central Virginia Community College 18 to 1
    7. Mountain Empire Community College 18 to 1
    8. Paul D. Camp Community College 19 to 1
    9. Piedmont Virginia Community College 19 to 1
    10. Southwest Virginia Community College 19 to 1
    1. Wytheville Community College $4,620
    2. Patrick & Henry Community College $4,620
    3. Central Virginia Community College $4,620
    4. New River Community College $4,620
    5. Paul D. Camp Community College $4,620
    6. Virginia Highlands Community College $4,620
    7. Danville Community College $4,620
    8. Rappahannock Community College $4,620
    9. Eastern Shore Community College $4,620
    10. Southside Virginia Community College $4,620

      Colleges and Universities in Virginia

      Liberty University, a private Christian school in Lynchburg, is the largest school in Virginia, serving over 60,000 students. The largest public university, Virginia Tech, has a student population of about half that but offers many in-person degree programs as well as eight master’s programs and 19 certificate programs online. Students who attend Virginia Tech can pursue fields like engineering, criminal justice, education, and business.

      Find college admissions consultants in your state.

      The majority of Virginia’s universities and colleges could be considered small schools, serving populations of less than 5,000 students. Included on this list are public schools, like Christopher Newport University in Newport News, and private schools, like Hampton University, a historically black university in Hampton. Though most of its higher education institutes charge tuition fees above the national average, Virginia offers several loan forgiveness programs for qualifying attorneys and medical, dental, behavioral health, and pharmaceutical professionals.

      Virginia is perhaps most famous for its rich history - but the state is also home to many unique museums and famous landmarks. For example, those who love the classics can visit the Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Richmond. Those who harbor romantic dreams of espionage and intrigue might visit the CIA Museum in McLean. And, if you like your attractions random, you could check out Virginia’s 300-yard-long natural tunnel or its 29-ton spinning granite ball. While you’re here, you might consider attending one of the 78 colleges located in the state.

      Learn more about Virginia’s higher education opportunities by checking out the state’s many colleges and universities.


      What are Virginia’s Colleges & Universities?

      Virginia’s Best Overall

      Virginia's Best Community Colleges Badge
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      We’ve identified 26 community colleges in Virginia. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Virginia.

      Best Community Colleges in Virginia

      1. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        43%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Danville Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,725
        Starting Salary: $29,400
        What is Danville Community College known for?

        Danville Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      2. Tuition + fees

        $6K

        Graduation

        28%

        Student body

        24K

        Career Outlook for degree at Tidewater Community College

        Cost of Degree: $5,561
        Starting Salary: $35,300
        What is Tidewater Community College known for?

        Tidewater Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      3. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        31%

        Student body

        9K

        Career Outlook for degree at Virginia Peninsula Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,806
        Starting Salary: $33,200
        What is Virginia Peninsula Community College known for?

        Virginia Peninsula Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      4. #5

        Richard Bland College

        South Prince George , VA

        Tuition + fees

        $8K

        Acceptance

        79%

        Graduation

        28%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Richard Bland College

        Cost of Degree: $8,250
        Expenses: $14,803
        Starting Salary: $36,800
        Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
        Paid back at 15% of annual salary
        What is Richard Bland College known for?

        Richard Bland College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      5. #6

        Germanna Community College

        Locust Grove , VA

        Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        41%

        Student body

        10K

        Career Outlook for degree at Germanna Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,913
        Starting Salary: $35,100
        What is Germanna Community College known for?

        Germanna Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      6. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        32%

        Student body

        7K

        Career Outlook for degree at Piedmont Virginia Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,790
        Starting Salary: $33,500
        What is Piedmont Virginia Community College known for?

        Piedmont Virginia Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      7. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        33%

        Student body

        8K

        Career Outlook for degree at Virginia Western Community College

        Cost of Degree: $5,103
        Starting Salary: $33,800
        What is Virginia Western Community College known for?

        Virginia Western Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      8. Tuition + fees

        $6K

        Graduation

        35%

        Student body

        69K

        Career Outlook for degree at Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale

        Cost of Degree: $5,565
        Starting Salary: $47,200
        What is Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale known for?

        Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      9. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        42%

        Student body

        2K

        Career Outlook for degree at Patrick & Henry Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,720
        Starting Salary: $27,900
        What is Patrick & Henry Community College known for?

        Patrick & Henry Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      10. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        44%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Virginia Highlands Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,725
        Starting Salary: $28,600
        What is Virginia Highlands Community College known for?

        Virginia Highlands Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      11. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        47%

        Student body

        5K

        Career Outlook for degree at New River Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,697
        Starting Salary: $35,700
        What is New River Community College known for?

        New River Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      12. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        44%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Southwest Virginia Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,733
        Starting Salary: $30,000
        What is Southwest Virginia Community College known for?

        Southwest Virginia Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      13. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        28%

        Student body

        5K

        Career Outlook for degree at Central Virginia Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,853
        Starting Salary: $30,300
        What is Central Virginia Community College known for?

        Central Virginia Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      14. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        45%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Rappahannock Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,820
        Starting Salary: $30,900
        What is Rappahannock Community College known for?

        Rappahannock Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      15. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        34%

        Student body

        4K

        Career Outlook for degree at Southside Virginia Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,695
        Starting Salary: $27,200
        What is Southside Virginia Community College known for?

        Southside Virginia Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      16. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        26%

        Student body

        11K

        Career Outlook for degree at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,998
        Starting Salary: $34,400
        What is J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College known for?

        J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      17. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        40%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Mountain Empire Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,725
        Starting Salary: $28,300
        What is Mountain Empire Community College known for?

        Mountain Empire Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      18. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        45%

        Student body

        3K

        Career Outlook for degree at Wytheville Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,725
        Starting Salary: $30,100
        What is Wytheville Community College known for?

        Wytheville Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      19. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        27%

        Student body

        2K

        Career Outlook for degree at Paul D. Camp Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,730
        Starting Salary: $27,400
        What is Paul D. Camp Community College known for?

        Paul D. Camp Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      20. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        34%

        Student body

        5K

        Career Outlook for degree at Blue Ridge Community College

        Cost of Degree: $5,364
        Starting Salary: $36,300
        What is Blue Ridge Community College known for?

        Blue Ridge Community College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      21. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        42%

        Student body

        1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Mountain Gateway Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,740
        Starting Salary: $31,500
        What is Mountain Gateway Community College known for?

        Mountain Gateway Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      22. #23

        Columbia College

        Vienna , VA

        Tuition + fees

        $9K

        Graduation

        61%

        Student body

        <1K

      23. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        41%

        Student body

        8K

        Career Outlook for degree at Laurel Ridge Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,739
        Starting Salary: $34,000
        What is Laurel Ridge Community College known for?

        Laurel Ridge Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

        Most Influential Alumni

      24. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        32%

        Student body

        11K

        Career Outlook for degree at Brightpoint Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,800
        Starting Salary: $36,800
        What is Brightpoint Community College known for?

        Brightpoint Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      25. Tuition + fees

        $5K

        Graduation

        27%

        Student body

        <1K

        Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Shore Community College

        Cost of Degree: $4,800
        Starting Salary: $28,000
        What is Eastern Shore Community College known for?

        Eastern Shore Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      2021 Ranking Archive

      Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

      1. Paul D. Camp Community College
      2. Rappahannock Community College
      3. Richard Bland College
      4. Piedmont Virginia Community College
      5. Southwest Virginia Community College
      6. Danville Community College
      7. Patrick & Henry Community College
      8. Tidewater Community College
      9. Virginia Western Community College
      10. Central Virginia Community College
      11. Mountain Gateway Community College
      12. Brightpoint Community College
      13. New River Community College
      14. Northern Virginia Community College
      15. Mountain Empire Community College
      16. Virginia Highlands Community College
      17. Wytheville Community College
      18. Blue Ridge Community College
      19. Southside Virginia Community College
      20. Virginia Peninsula Community College
      21. Germanna Community College
      22. J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
      23. Eastern Shore Community College
      24. Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale
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