Central Virginia Community College

3506 Wards Rd
Lynchburg, VA 24502
Top Ranked (2025): View Rankings
  • Central Virginia Community College, a two-year institution established as a member of the Virginia Community College System, provides State-supported educational facilities beyond the high school level for the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell. The curricula and programs of the College serve more than 228,000 people within this geographical jurisdiction.

School Highlights

Central Virginia Community College serves 4,434 students (26% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is lower than the state community college average of 23:1.
Minority enrollment is 36% of the student body (majority Black), which is less than the state average of 53%.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 4,434 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,248
  • Out-state tuition: $10,068
  • Student:teacher ratio: 19:1
  • Minority enrollment: 36%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Central Virginia Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

The teacher population of 234 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Central Virginia Community College
(VA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: High Transfer-High Nontraditional
Associate's--Private For-profit
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Private, non-profit
Total Faculty
234 staff
129 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Central Virginia Community College and community college average number of faculty in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Central Virginia Community College has grown by 16% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 has increased from 14:1 over five years.
The Central Virginia Community College diversity score of 0.55 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has grown by 15% over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,434 students
1,350 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Central Virginia Community College and community college average number of enrollment of Virginia by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
23:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Central Virginia Community College and community college average student staff ratio of Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
1,150 students
637 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Central Virginia Community College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Virginia by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
3,284 students
971 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Central Virginia Community College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Virginia by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Central Virginia Community College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Virginia.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
443 students
314 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,150 students
611 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Central Virginia Community College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Virginia by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
158 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,284 students
971 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
61 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
476 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Central Virginia Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
% Asian
2%
8%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Central Virginia Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
5%
13%
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Central Virginia Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2021-22 school year data.
% Black
18%
21%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Central Virginia Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
64%
47%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Central Virginia Community College and the percentage of White community college students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in Central Virginia Community College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
% Two or more races
6%
5%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Central Virginia Community College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Non Resident races
1%
2%
% Unknown races
2%
4%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Central Virginia Community College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Virginia.
Diversity Score
0.55
0.71
This chart displays the diversity score of Central Virginia Community College and the community college average diversity score of Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.2835%
0.4094%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Central Virginia Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Virginia by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.264%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$29,400
$29,600
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Central Virginia Community College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Virginia by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $4,248 is more than the state average of $3,748. The in-state tuition has declined by 12% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $10,068 is more than the state average of $8,977. The out-state tuition has declined by 7% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,248
$3,748
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Central Virginia Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of Virginia by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,068
$8,977
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Central Virginia Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Virginia by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
74%
78%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Central Virginia Community College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$8,515
$10,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Central Virginia Community College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,200
$5,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Central Virginia Community College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Virginia by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
59%
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Early in 1965, a local committee was formed to investigate the needs and feasibility of a community college for the Central Virginia region; and in July, 1966, the State Board for Community Colleges selected Central Virginia as a community college location to serve the cities of Lynchburg and Bedford and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell. The site selected, where Central Virginia Community College presently stands, was approved by the State and Local Boards because of its geographic center to the service area's population and accessibility to all major highways in the area. With academic excellence its aim in all areas, the College offers various programs to meet the diverse needs of the region it serves. Its two-year college transfer programs in arts and sciences and in certain pre-professional areas lead to associate degrees and offer courses generally acceptable for transfer to four-year institutions. Its occupational and technical programs lead to diplomas, certificates, or associate of applied science degrees and are designed to prepare individuals for certain professions. Its other programs, including developmental work, special training for industry, and community service, offer instruction commensurate with the needs of individuals, groups or the area at large.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Central Virginia Community College cost?
Central Virginia Community College's tuition is approximately $4,248 for In-State students and $10,068 for Out-State students.
What is Central Virginia Community College's ranking?
Central Virginia Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Virginia for: Least debt for graduating students.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 4,434 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,248
  • Out-state tuition: $10,068
  • Student:teacher ratio: 19:1
  • Minority enrollment: 36%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Virginia public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,748 per year for in-state students and $8,977 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $15,590 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Virginia is 63%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Virginia community colleges have a diversity score of 0.71, which is higher than the national average of 0.00. The most diverse community college in Virginia is Columbia College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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