Mountain Gateway Community College
#8 Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 42% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,293 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $4,861 A
- 72% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 425
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 41.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $41.3 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $41.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $783,220.
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 42% — 27% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $41.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Mountain Gateway Community College
Mountain Gateway 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
- 425
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Construction Trades, Mechanic & Repair Tech
Why students choose Mountain Gateway 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 $4,861 a year after grants and scholarships — 72% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,293 ten years after enrolling — 16% below the typical college, against $9,182 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
Mountain Gateway Community College is an excellent choice for students seeking a close-knit community and practical programs. With an enrollment of just 425, it’s ideal for those who thrive in smaller settings. Students can dive into studies in fields like Humanities, Health Professions, and various trades, including Construction and Mechanic & Repair Tech. This personalized environment can lead to meaningful connections with peers and faculty, enhancing the overall educational experience.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni after ten years is around $34,293. This figure reflects the potential return on investment for students. With a graduation rate of 42%, many graduates find opportunities in their chosen fields, which can lead to upward mobility in their careers. It’s important to consider affordability, too, as the net price after aid is about $4,861. This cost makes it more accessible for those who might be concerned about finances.
When it comes to the practical aspects of attending Mountain Gateway, students can expect a manageable median debt of $9,182. This is relatively low compared to many institutions, allowing graduates to focus on building their careers rather than being weighed down by heavy loans. Those who tend to thrive here are often those looking for hands-on education and a supportive community, ready to take advantage of the opportunities available in their chosen fields.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Mountain Gateway 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 Mountain Gateway Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Clifton Forge, Virginia, Mountain Gateway Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
- Retention Rate
- 60%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 28%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,860
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.36
- First-Gen Students
- 49%
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 Mountain Gateway Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mountain Gateway Community College is $11,460, 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 $4,861. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,393 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,182 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,022
- Out-of-State
- $11,460
- Avg Net Price
- $4,861
- Median Debt
- $9,182
- Pell Grant Rate
- 27%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 5%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,393
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,057
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $5,590
- Family Income $110K+
- $7,152
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Mountain Gateway Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mountain Gateway Community College report median earnings of $34,293, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $29,997
- 8 Years
- $34,362
- 10 Years
- $34,293
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.27x
- Earning > $25K
- 45%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (50)
- 34%
- 100% (50)
- 34%
- 100% (50)
- 34%
- 100% (50)
- 34%
How Mountain 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 Mountain Gateway Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Mountain Gateway Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $4,861/year ($19,444 total). Graduates earn $34,293 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $802,664 in total earnings — a net gain of $783,220 (41.3× your investment). The median debt is $9,182, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 42% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $19,444
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $802,664
- Net Return
- $783,220
- ROI Multiple
- 41.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $4,861
- Median Debt
- $9,182
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 42%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $8,421,678
- Federal Grants
- $1,261,795
- Investment Income
- $1,254
Top Programs
The fields Mountain Gateway 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 38%
- Health Professions 16%
- Construction Trades 10%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 7%
- Business & Marketing 6%
- Computer Science & IT 3%
- Criminal Justice 3%
- Precision Production 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Mountain Gateway 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 Mountain Gateway Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Clifton Forge, Virginia, Mountain Gateway Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 42%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mountain Gateway Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mountain Gateway Community College is $11,460, 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 $4,861. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,393 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,182 in federal student loans.
Is Mountain Gateway Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mountain Gateway Community College report median earnings of $34,293, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
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