Piedmont Virginia Community College
#5 Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 37% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,752 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $5,963 A
- 65% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 3,045
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 42.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $42.7 over 20 years. Ranked #5 in Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $42.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $994,844.
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 37% — 36% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $42.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Piedmont Virginia Community College Matters
Piedmont Virginia Community College is a public community college in Charlottesville, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 3,045
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Humanities, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Piedmont Virginia 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 $5,963 a year after grants and scholarships — 65% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,752 ten years after enrolling — 0% above the typical college, against $8,750 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.0% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 75% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.29 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Piedmont Virginia Community College is a welcoming choice for students seeking a practical and affordable education. With around 3,045 students, this community college is a great fit for those interested in fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Computer Science. The focus here is on hands-on learning and skills that translate directly into the workforce, making it a solid option for motivated individuals looking to start their careers or advance their education.
When it comes to outcomes, graduates earn an average of $40,752 after ten years, which is a reasonable return on investment for those who choose this path. The college’s affordability is significant too, with a net price of just $5,963 after aid. About 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating that financial support is available for those who need it, helping to ease the burden of costs.
Looking at the practical aspects, students tend to thrive here if they are dedicated and ready to take advantage of the resources available. The median debt of $8,750 is manageable, especially considering the earnings potential. For those who are willing to engage with their studies and the community, Piedmont Virginia Community College can be a stepping stone to a more fulfilling career and a solid foundation for future academic pursuits.
Rankings
- #5 Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia
- #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia
- #14 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Virginia
- #15 Best Community Colleges for Nursing
- #16 Best Online Colleges in Virginia
- #16 Best Online Education Programs in Virginia
- #17 Best Computer Science Colleges in Virginia
- #17 Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Piedmont Virginia 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 Piedmont Virginia Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, Piedmont Virginia Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
- Retention Rate
- 68%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 36%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,347
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.66
- First-Gen Students
- 45%
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 Piedmont Virginia Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Piedmont Virginia Community College is $11,510, 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 $5,963. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,491 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,750 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,072
- Out-of-State
- $11,510
- Avg Net Price
- $5,963
- Median Debt
- $8,750
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 3%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,491
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $3,785
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,311
- Family Income $110K+
- $12,454
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Piedmont Virginia Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Piedmont Virginia Community College report median earnings of $40,752, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,000
- 8 Years
- $36,775
- 10 Years
- $40,752
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.21x
- Earning > $25K
- 53%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (66)
- 19%
- 100% (66)
- 19%
- 100% (66)
- 19%
- 100% (66)
- 19%
How Piedmont Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Piedmont Virginia Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Piedmont Virginia Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $5,963/year ($23,852 total). Graduates earn $40,752 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,018,696 in total earnings — a net gain of $994,844 (42.7× your investment). The median debt is $8,750, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 37% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $23,852
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,018,696
- Net Return
- $994,844
- ROI Multiple
- 42.7×
- Cost Per Year
- $5,963
- Median Debt
- $8,750
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 37%
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 Piedmont Virginia Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Piedmont Virginia 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 1.01%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.4% 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 9.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $70,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.01%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.4%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $70,400
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $2,012,749
- Investment Income
- $3,397
Top Programs
The fields Piedmont Virginia 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.
- Health Professions 37%
- Humanities 35%
- Business & Marketing 8%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Engineering 2%
- Criminal Justice 2%
- Education 2%
- Visual & Performing Arts 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Piedmont Virginia 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 Piedmont Virginia Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, Piedmont Virginia Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 37%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Piedmont Virginia Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Piedmont Virginia Community College is $11,510, 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 $5,963. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,491 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,750 in federal student loans.
Is Piedmont Virginia Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Piedmont Virginia Community College report median earnings of $40,752, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Piedmont Virginia Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Piedmont Virginia 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 1.01%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.4% 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 9.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $70,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Piedmont Virginia Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.29, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Piedmont Virginia Community College.
- Hagerstown Community CollegeHagerstown, MD · Close peer38% grad $41,615 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Niagara County Community CollegeSanborn, NY · Close peer31% grad $42,285 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Leeward Community CollegePearl City, HI · Close peer33% grad $39,899 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Central Maine Community CollegeAuburn, ME · Close peer29% grad $42,448 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Woodland Community CollegeWoodland, CA · Close peer40% grad $40,042 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Jefferson CollegeHillsboro, MO · Close peer35% grad $40,782 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Piedmont Virginia Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.29, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note