Blue Ridge Community College
- Graduation Rate
- 44% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $36,324 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $5,756 A
- 66% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 1,758
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 36.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $36.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $36.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $825,986.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 44% — 23% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $36.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Blue Ridge Community College
Blue Ridge Community College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 1,758
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Business & Marketing, Precision Production, Health Professions
Why students choose Blue Ridge Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $5,756 a year after grants and scholarships — 66% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $36,324 ten years after enrolling — 11% below the typical college, against $12,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Mobility and social-capital data are limited for this school — see what's reported below.
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 1,758 students, Blue Ridge Community College is a solid choice for those seeking practical, career-focused education in scenic Flat Rock, North Carolina. Here, students dive into programs like Humanities, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and various technical fields including Precision Production and Mechanic & Repair Tech. This school suits individuals looking for hands-on learning and pathways into reliable careers.
Looking at what happens after graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $36,324 a decade out. That’s a figure that can help frame their future, especially for those who are mindful of where they want to go next. While the graduation rate is 44%, many who do complete their programs find themselves equipped to step into the workforce with skills that are in demand.
The financial picture is also quite approachable. After financial aid, the net price for attending Blue Ridge is about $5,756, and the median debt for graduates sits at $12,000. This means students can often leave with manageable debt and a clear path ahead. Those who thrive here tend to be students who appreciate a strong community feel and are ready to engage actively in their learning—whether they’re pursuing a degree or a certificate.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Blue Ridge Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Blue Ridge Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Flat Rock, North Carolina, Blue Ridge Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
- Retention Rate
- 70%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 30%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,420
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.48
- First-Gen Students
- 46%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Blue Ridge Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Blue Ridge Community College is $8,804, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $5,756. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,723 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $2,660
- Out-of-State
- $8,804
- Avg Net Price
- $5,756
- Median Debt
- $12,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 4%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,723
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,646
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $6,581
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Blue Ridge Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Blue Ridge Community College report median earnings of $36,324, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $31,807
- 8 Years
- $32,900
- 10 Years
- $36,324
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.33x
- Earning > $25K
- 34%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (53)
- 31%
- 100% (53)
- 31%
- 100% (53)
- 31%
- 100% (53)
- 31%
How Blue Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Blue Ridge Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Blue Ridge Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $5,756/year ($23,024 total). Graduates earn $36,324 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $849,010 in total earnings — a net gain of $825,986 (36.9× your investment). The median debt is $12,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 44% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $23,024
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $849,010
- Net Return
- $825,986
- ROI Multiple
- 36.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $5,756
- Median Debt
- $12,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Blue Ridge Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Blue Ridge Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.00%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 22600% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 0.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.00%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 0.5%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 22600.0%
- Share of students
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $3,656
Top Programs
The fields Blue Ridge Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 20%
- Business & Marketing 16%
- Precision Production 14%
- Health Professions 11%
- Culinary & Personal Services 8%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 7%
- Education 5%
- Computer Science & IT 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Blue Ridge Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Blue Ridge Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Flat Rock, North Carolina, Blue Ridge Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 44%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Blue Ridge Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Blue Ridge Community College is $8,804, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $5,756. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,723 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $12,000 in federal student loans.
Is Blue Ridge Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Blue Ridge Community College report median earnings of $36,324, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Blue Ridge Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Blue Ridge Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.00%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 22600% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 0.5% go on to reach the top of the income ladder.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Blue Ridge Community College.
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- Ashland Community and Technical CollegeAshland, KY · Close peer55% grad $34,504 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Cowley County Community CollegeArkansas City, KS · Close peer46% grad $37,723 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Owensboro Community and Technical CollegeOwensboro, KY · Close peer52% grad $35,798 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Gateway Community and Technical CollegeFlorence, KY · Close peer53% grad $36,147 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
