Mountain Empire Community College

Comprehensive information about programs, admissions, costs, and enrollment

Also known as: MECC, Mountain Empire

Big Stone Gap, VA
(276) 523-2400
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✓ GI Bill approved · 60 GI Bill students

What Are the Key Stats for Mountain Empire Community College?

Annual Tuition & Fees (In-State)

$5,007

Total Enrollment

2,116

Graduation Rate

48%

6-year graduation rate

Program Completions

900

Last reported year

How Mountain Empire Community College Compares

Mountain Empire Community College sits in the middle range for trade-college enrollment with 2,116 students. Tuition: $5,007. Net price: $9,210. Graduation: 48%. Retention: 64%. These metrics behave as expected for a school of this size — useful as a baseline against more specialized competitors.

Where is Mountain Empire Community College?

Virtual Campus Tour of Mountain Empire Community College

Walk up to the campus in Google Street View — look around, move along the street.

Street-level imagery © Google. Views show the public street nearest the campus address.

What are the Most Popular Programs at Mountain Empire Community College

121 graduates Class of 2025 CIP 24.0101
120 graduates Class of 2025 CIP 24.0199
78 graduates Class of 2025 CIP 51.0999
51 graduates Class of 2025 CIP 48.0508
43 graduates Class of 2025 CIP 15.0599

Verified Program Outcomes

Completion and employment results reported to the U.S. Department of Labor for Mountain Empire Community College programs on the state Eligible Training Provider List. Missing values ("—") mean the state suppressed or did not report that metric — they never mean zero.

In the Power Lineman Program program at Mountain Empire Community College, 64% of students were employed within 6 months of exit, and 95% completed the program, and median earnings in the second quarter after exit were $12,339 (U.S. Department of Labor, PY 2023).

ProgramCompletion rateEmployed 6 mo after exitEmployed 1 yr after exitMedian quarterly earnings
Power Lineman Program95%64%79%$12,339
Registered Nursing100%50%91%$15,092
Practical Nursing100%20%60%$8,358
EMT and Paramedic94%50%$18,371
Phlebotomy100%24%56%$5,155

All 13 verified program outcomes for Mountain Empire Community College →

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, WIOA participant outcomes (trainingproviderresults.gov), PY 2023.

Explore Mountain Empire Community College

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Enrollment

Mountain Empire Community College enrolls 2,116 students. The student body is 61.3% women, with diverse representation across programs. The college maintains a 64% retention rate, reflecting student satisfaction and academic support.

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Academics

Mountain Empire Community College maintains a 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio, providing strong opportunities for personalized instruction and academic support. The college maintains a good 64% retention rate for full-time students, reflecting student satisfaction and effective academic programs. The college accommodates diverse student needs with flexible enrollment options for part-time and working students.

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Faculty & Staff

Mountain Empire Community College employs 45 instructional staff members dedicated to student success. The 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio provides strong opportunities for personalized attention and mentoring. With 13.3% of faculty holding tenure, students benefit from experienced educators committed to teaching excellence.

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Programs

Mountain Empire Community College offers programs in 15 different fields of study. The most popular programs include Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other, and Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. In 2025, the college awarded 900 degrees and certificates across all programs.

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Financial Aid

Annual tuition and fees at Mountain Empire Community College is $5,007 for in-state students and $11,445 for out-of-state students. After financial aid, the average net price is $9,210. Students can use the net price calculator to estimate their individual costs and potential aid.

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Student Outcomes

Mountain Empire Community College achieves a 36.9% overall completion rate for students who complete their programs. Students typically complete their programs in 5 years, balancing academic rigor with timely graduation. The college supports working students with a 45% success rate for this population.

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Institution Details

Sector PUBLIC 2 YEAR
Control PUBLIC
Level AT LEAST 2 BUT LESS THAN 4 YEARS
Degree Granting Yes

Contact Information

Address
3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap, VA, 24219
Administrator
Kristen Westover
President

Cost Information

In-State Tuition and Fees $5,007
Out-of-State Tuition and Fees $11,445
Average Net Price $9,210

Federal Identifiers

OPE ID: 00962900
EIN: 541268294
IPEDS ID: 232788
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