Eastern Shore Community College

29316 Lankford Hwy
Melfa, VA 23410
Top-Ranked (2026-27): View Rankings
  • Eastern Shore Community College believes that all individuals should be provided a continuing opportunity to develop and extend their skills and knowledge and to cultivate an awareness of their roles and responsibilities in society. The college is committed to providing leadership in identifying and addressing both the needs of individuals and economic needs, including workforce development needs, in Accomack and Northampton counties.

School Highlights

Eastern Shore Community College serves 859 students (31% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 41:1 is higher than the state community college average of 37:1.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 55%.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 859 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,145
  • Out-state tuition: $10,185
  • Student-teacher ratio: 41:1
  • Minority enrollment: 60%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

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

Category
Attribute

School Overview

The teacher population of 21 teachers has declined by 68% over five years.
Eastern Shore Community College
(VA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
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
21 staff
39 staff
School Calendar

Student Body

The student population of Eastern Shore Community College has grown by 26% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 41:1 has increased from 9:1 over five years.
The Eastern Shore Community College diversity score of 0.72 is equal to the state average of 0.72. The school's diversity has grown by 13% over five years.
Total Enrollment
859 students
1,380 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
41:1
37:1
# Full-Time Students
266 students
585 students
# Part-Time Students
593 students
795 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
859 students
924 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
266 students
415 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
593 students
795 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
n/a
% Asian
1%
8%
% Hispanic
19%
14%
% Black
29%
22%
% White
40%
45%
% Two or more races
4%
5%
% Non Resident races
2%
2%
% Unknown races
3%
4%
Diversity Score
0.72
0.72
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
27%
42%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$26,000
$29,700

Tuition & Financial Aid

The public in-state tuition of $4,145 is more than the state average of $3,581. The in-state tuition has declined by 13% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $10,185 is more than the state average of $8,577. The out-state tuition has declined by 5% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,145
$3,581
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,185
$8,577
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
87%
86%
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators

School Notes

  • Eastern Shore Community College is a member of the Virginia Community College System and serves the residents of Accomack County and Northampton County as a two-year institution of higher learning. Operating under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Eastern Shore Community College Board, the college is financed primarily with state funds, supplemented by contributions from the two counties and the Eastern Shore Community College Foundation. ESCC occupies a 115-acre site on U.S. Route 13, south of Melfa on the southern end of the Delmarva Peninsula. The modern facility, which is accessible to the disabled, includes classrooms, laboratories, a bookstore, a lecture hall, administrative offices, occupational trade areas, a student lounge, and a Learning Resources Center. ESCC provides many low cost high quality higher educational programs. The Associate in Applied Science degree, in several technical areas, along with the Associate in Arts and Sciences degree for students who wish to transfer to a university to complete their baccalaureate degree are available at ESCC. In addition, the college also offers certificate programs, continuing education and workforce development training to area business and industry. For prospective students who find it difficult to balance full-time jobs and family responsibilities along with college coursework, ESCC has distance education courses which allow students to earn college credit from home. Eastern Shore Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. The college provides associate degree programs approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. It is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges and the Southern Association of Junior Colleges.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Eastern Shore Community College cost?
Eastern Shore Community College's tuition is approximately $4,145 for In-State students and $10,185 for Out-State students.
What is Eastern Shore Community College's ranking?
Eastern Shore Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Virginia for: Diversity in US community colleges.

Recent Articles

Can Your Two-Year Degree Really Be Finished in Four Semesters?
Can Your Two-Year Degree Really Be Finished in Four Semesters?
Learn how to test whether a two-year community college degree can actually be completed in four semesters by checking prerequisites, course rotations, availability, sequencing, and hidden scheduling barriers.
Program Seat Test: Are You Really Admitted to Your Major?
Program Seat Test: Are You Really Admitted to Your Major?
Learn how to determine whether community college acceptance includes admission to your intended major, and evaluate selective programs, prerequisites, seat limits, deadlines, waitlists, and backup options before enrolling.
Build Your Community College First-Semester Stress Test
Build Your Community College First-Semester Stress Test
Build a realistic first-semester stress test before registration by checking course load, work hours, commuting, finances, family duties, study time, and support systems before your schedule becomes unmanageable later.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Enrollment: 859 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,145
  • Out-state tuition: $10,185
  • Student-teacher ratio: 41:1
  • Minority enrollment: 60%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Virginia public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $3,581 per year for in-state students and $8,577 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $15,536 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Virginia is 71%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Virginia community colleges have a diversity score of 0.72, which is lower than the national average of 0.74. The most diverse community college in Virginia is Northern Virginia Community College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

Quick Links