Mountain Empire Community College
A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. a public school with 1,240 students.
About This School
Mountain Empire Community College is a public institution located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia with approximately 1,240 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $7,226 per year. Typical graduates earn $28,300 within 10 years of enrollment.
Mountain Empire Community College is a public community college in unincorporated Wise County, Virginia, near Big Stone Gap. It is one of the 23 schools in the Virginia Community College System. The college serves residents of Dickenson, Lee, Scott, and Wise counties, as well as the City of Norton. The first classes were offered in the Fall of 1972. Dr. Kristen Westover became the college's seventh president in July 2017.
This is a solid, affordable option for students in Southwest Virginia looking to minimize debt, with a net price of just $7,226 per year — well below the national average for community colleges. However, the median earnings of $28,300 a decade after enrollment are modest, so it's worth thinking carefully about which program you choose and whether it leads to a credential with strong local or regional demand. Best suited for students pursuing vocational, technical, or transfer pathways who plan to stay in the region or move to a four-year school to boost long-term earning potential.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,240 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Address
Mountain Empire Community College
3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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