# Mountain Empire Community College

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mountain-empire-community-college

## Overview

- **Location:** Big Stone Gap, VA
- **Type:** Public
- **Setting:** Town
- **Region:** Southeast
- **Enrollment:** 1,282
- **Predominant Degree:** Certificate

Mountain Empire Community College is a solid choice for students seeking a close-knit environment where they can pursue practical skills and academic growth. With an enrollment of 1,282, it’s perfect for those who thrive in smaller classes and want to connect with their peers and professors. Popular areas of study include Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Mechanic & Repair Tech, all designed to prepare students for in-demand careers.

After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $32,622 within ten years. This figure gives a glimpse into the potential return on investment for those who choose to study here. Many graduates find employment in their fields, which speaks to the effectiveness of the programs. The affordability of attending Mountain Empire is another plus, making it accessible for a wide range of students, especially those receiving Pell Grants, which make up 43% of the student body.

When considering the practical aspects, the net price after aid is about $8,852, which is manageable for many families. While we don’t have specific data on median debt, students typically benefit from lower costs compared to larger institutions. Those who thrive here are often individuals looking for a hands-on education that leads directly to employment opportunities in their chosen fields.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| SAT Average | N/A |
| ACT Midpoint | N/A |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $5,007 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $11,445 |
| Average Net Price | $8,852 |
| Median Debt | N/A |
| Pell Grant Rate | 43% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 0% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $8,148 |
| $30K-$48K | $8,064 |
| $48K-$75K | $10,770 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | N/A |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 51% |
| Retention Rate | 64% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $30,368 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $29,658 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $32,622 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | N/A |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 136.00% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 510.6% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 2663.4% |
| Parent Median Income | $43,000 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 0.82 |
| Friending Bias | -0.06 |
| Volunteering Rate | 8.6% |
| Support Ratio | 1.00 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Health Professions | 30% |
| Humanities | 29% |
| Precision Production | 6% |
| Business & Marketing | 4% |
| Mechanic & Repair Tech | 4% |
| Criminal Justice | 4% |
| Computer Science & IT | 2% |
| Legal Studies | 1% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 1 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #25 in [Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-virginia)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Mountain Empire Community College — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mountain-empire-community-college