- Virginia Highlands Community College promotes lifelong learning by providing quality, affordable higher education including workforce training programs that enable community members to succeed in today's world.
School Highlights
Virginia Highlands Community College serves 2,082 students (33% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 31:1 is lower than the state community college average of 37:1.
Minority enrollment is 13% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is less than the state average of 55%.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Enrollment: 2,082 students
- In-state tuition: $4,170
- Out-state tuition: $10,008
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Student-teacher ratio: 31:1
- Minority enrollment: 13%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 68 teachers has declined by 54% over five years.
Virginia Highlands Community College
(VA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Private, non-profit
Total Faculty
68 staff
39 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Virginia Highlands Community College has declined by 32% over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 31:1 has increased from 15:1 over five years.
The Virginia Highlands Community College diversity score of 0.24 is more than the state average of 0.00. The school's diversity has grown by 16% over five years.
Total Enrollment
2,082 students
1,380 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
31:1
37:1
# Full-Time Students
677 students
585 students
# Part-Time Students
1,405 students
795 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
128 students
297 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
677 students
415 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,405 students
795 students
% Asian
1%
8%
% Hispanic
4%
14%
% Black
3%
22%
% White
87%
45%
% Two or more races
3%
5%
% Unknown races
1%
4%
Diversity Score
0.24
0.00
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
44%
42%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$26,700
$27,300
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $4,170 is more than the state average of $3,581. The in-state tuition has declined by 11% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $10,008 is more than the state average of $8,577. The out-state tuition has declined by 6% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,170
$3,581
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,008
$8,577
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
87%
86%
Acceptance Rate
80%
75%
Source: 2025 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- Virginia Highlands Community College was established on November 30, 1967 by action of the State Board for Community Colleges, and assigned a service region of Washington County, the western portion of Smyth County, and the city of Bristol, Virginia. Today it is one of 23 community colleges within the Virginia Community College System. During its first academic year, 1969-1970, VHCC began delivering the occupational-technical programs that formerly were offered by the Washington County Technical School. More than 300 students enrolled in the first Virginia Highlands classes, which were offered at night in the technical school's facilities. The College moved to its permanent 100-acre campus during the summer of 1970 and, in response to the community's needs, expanded its course offerings to include both occupational-technical programs and baccalaureate-transfer programs. The college buildings are located on a 100 acre campus occupied for the first time in the 1970 summer session. These modern buildings include laboratories, shops, classrooms, offices and a library. In the fall of 1986 the college opened a new 40,000 square feet Learning Resources Center/Business Technologies Building which added dramatically to the educational services available to the region. In the summer of 1994, students, faculty, staff, and administration began using a new 22,000 square feet OccupationalTechnical Center building. There are labs for the air conditioning, heating, general engineering technologies and police science curricula plus a number of offices for faculty and administrators. Virginia Highlands Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate Degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Virginia Highlands Community College cost?
Virginia Highlands Community College's tuition is approximately $4,170 for In-State students and $10,008 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of Virginia Highlands Community College?
The acceptance rate of Virginia Highlands Community College is 80%, which is higher than the state average of 75%.
Nearby Schools
The nearest community college to Virginia Highlands Community College is Southwest Virginia Community College (24.0 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
369 College Road US Rt. 19, 6 Miles S. Claypool Hill
Cedar Bluff, VA 24609
(276) 964-2555
Cedar Bluff, VA 24609
(276) 964-2555
24.0 miles
Enrollment: 2,364 students Student-teacher ratio: 28:1 In-state tuition: $3,594 Out-state tuition: $7,996 Minority enrollment: 11%
426 Highway 91
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 543-0070
Elizabethton, TN 37643
(423) 543-0070
25.0 miles
Enrollment: 1,850 students Minority enrollment: 19%
2425 Hwy 75
Blountville, TN 37617
(423) 323-3191
Blountville, TN 37617
(423) 323-3191
27.1 miles
Enrollment: 5,757 students Student-teacher ratio: 31:1 In-state tuition: $3,816 Out-state tuition: $15,168 Minority enrollment: 14%
3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-2400
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
(276) 523-2400
43.3 miles
Enrollment: 2,116 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Acceptance rate: 96% In-state tuition: $3,336 Out-state tuition: $8,006 Minority enrollment: 8%
Mayland Community College
Public
200 Mayland Drive
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 765-7351
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
(828) 765-7351
52.8 miles
Enrollment: 850 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Acceptance rate: 100% In-state tuition: $2,561 Out-state tuition: $8,584 Minority enrollment: 14%
Recent Articles
As Four-Year Colleges Enter Short-Term Training, Should You Still Choose a Community College?
As universities expand short-term workforce certificates, learn how community colleges compare on cost, flexibility, employer partnerships, and career outcomes.
What New Federal Aid Rules Mean for Short-Term Training Choices
Learn how new federal financial aid rules affect short-term workforce training programs and what prospective community college students should consider before enrolling.
Childcare, Transportation, and Food Support: Services That Drive Community College Completion
Learn how childcare, transportation, food assistance, and other basic needs services help community college students stay enrolled and graduate.
