- Virginia Highlands Community College promotes lifelong learning by providing quality, affordable higher education including workforce training programs that enable community members to succeed in today's world.
School Highlights
Virginia Highlands Community College serves 2,451 students (39% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 16:1 is lower than the state community college average of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is more than the state average of 93%.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Enrollment: 2,451 students
- In-state tuition: $4,170
- Out-state tuition: $10,008
- Student:teacher ratio: 16:1
- Minority enrollment: 98%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Virginia Highlands Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
School Overview
The teacher population of 151 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Virginia Highlands Community College
(VA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
151 staff
129 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Virginia Highlands Community College has grown by 7% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 16:1 has increased from 15:1 over five years.
The Virginia Highlands Community College diversity score of 0.15 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,451 students
1,544 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
16:1
17:1
# Full-Time Students
955 students
599 students
# Part-Time Students
1,496 students
945 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
145 students
232 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
955 students
471 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
89 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,496 students
945 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
40 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
476 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
7%
% Asian
2%
19%
% Hispanic
n/a
1%
% Black
2%
13%
% White
2%
7%
% Hawaiian
92%
48%
% Two or more races
1%
4%
% Unknown races
n/a
1%
Diversity Score
0.15
0.71
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.4069%
0.4069%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.3478%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$26,700
$29,600
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $4,170 is more than the state average of $3,748. The in-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $10,008 is more than the state average of $8,977. The out-state tuition has declined by 5% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,170
$3,748
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,008
$8,977
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
77%
78%
Median Debt for Graduates
n/a
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
n/a
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
n/a
59%
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Virginia Highlands Community College was established on November 30, 1967 by action of the State Board for Community Colleges, and assigned a service region of Washington County, the western portion of Smyth County, and the city of Bristol, Virginia. Today it is one of 23 community colleges within the Virginia Community College System. During its first academic year, 1969-1970, VHCC began delivering the occupational-technical programs that formerly were offered by the Washington County Technical School. More than 300 students enrolled in the first Virginia Highlands classes, which were offered at night in the technical school's facilities. The College moved to its permanent 100-acre campus during the summer of 1970 and, in response to the community's needs, expanded its course offerings to include both occupational-technical programs and baccalaureate-transfer programs. The college buildings are located on a 100 acre campus occupied for the first time in the 1970 summer session. These modern buildings include laboratories, shops, classrooms, offices and a library. In the fall of 1986 the college opened a new 40,000 square feet Learning Resources Center/Business Technologies Building which added dramatically to the educational services available to the region. In the summer of 1994, students, faculty, staff, and administration began using a new 22,000 square feet OccupationalTechnical Center building. There are labs for the air conditioning, heating, general engineering technologies and police science curricula plus a number of offices for faculty and administrators. Virginia Highlands Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate Degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Virginia Highlands Community College cost?
Virginia Highlands Community College's tuition is approximately $4,170 for In-State students and $10,008 for Out-State students.
What is Virginia Highlands Community College's ranking?
Virginia Highlands Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Virginia for: Average community college minority breakdown.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Virginia Highlands Community College is Southwest Virginia Community College (24.0 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Students
369 College Road US Rt. 19, 6 Miles S. Claypool Hill
Cedar Bluff, VA 24609
(276) 964-2555
Cedar Bluff, VA 24609
(276) 964-2555
24.0 miles
| 2,135 students
426 Highway 91
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 543-0070
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 543-0070
25.0 miles
| 457 students
2425 Hwy 75
Blountville, TN 37617
(423) 323-3191
Blountville, TN 37617
(423) 323-3191
27.1 miles
| 5,205 students
3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-2400
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-2400
43.3 miles
| 2,079 students
200 Mayland Drive
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 765-7351
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 765-7351
52.8 miles
| 863 students
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