# Mountain Empire Community College

> Mountain Empire Community College is a public college in Big Stone Gap, VA, with 1,282 students. In the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, the average net price after grants was $7,931 a year. The six-year graduation rate is 44%, and median earnings ten years after entry are $36,661.

Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Federal source years are listed with each table.

- Profile: https://www.collegesref.com/college/mountain-empire-community-college-1798
- Location: Big Stone Gap, VA, United States
- Setting: Distant town
- Control: Public
- Classification: Community college
- Official website: https://www.mecc.edu/
- IPEDS Unit ID: 232788
- Last verified by CollegesRef: 2026-11-03

## Cost

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| In-state tuition | $5,154 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,667 |
| Average net price (per year, after grants) | $7,931 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 44.4% |

## Outcomes

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Graduation rate (within six years) | 44% |
| First-year retention rate | 68% |
| Median earnings (10 years after entry) | $36,661 |

## Enrollment

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Total students | 1,282 |

## Frequently asked questions

### How much is Mountain Empire Community College tuition?

In-state tuition at Mountain Empire Community College is $5,154 and out-of-state tuition is $11,667 a year before financial aid in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. The average net price after grants is $7,931 a year.

### What is the average net price at Mountain Empire Community College?

The average net price at Mountain Empire Community College, what first-time, full-time students paid after grants and scholarships, was $7,931 a year in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Your own price depends on family income; the college's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.

### What is the graduation rate at Mountain Empire Community College?

44% of first-time, full-time students at Mountain Empire Community College graduate within six years (150% of normal time), according to the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.

### What colleges are similar to Mountain Empire Community College?

The closest matches are Danville Community College, Virginia Highlands Community College, and New River Community College, based on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile.

## Related pages

- [Mountain Empire Community College Tuition 2026](https://www.collegesref.com/college/mountain-empire-community-college-1798/financial)
- [Mountain Empire Community College Outcomes](https://www.collegesref.com/college/mountain-empire-community-college-1798/outcomes)
- [Colleges similar to Mountain Empire Community College](https://www.collegesref.com/collegesref/mountain-empire-community-college-1798)
- [Compare Mountain Empire Community College with other colleges](https://www.collegesref.com/compare?slugs=mountain-empire-community-college-1798)
- [College Scorecard entry](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?232788)
- [College Navigator entry](https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=232788)

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Source: CollegesRef, https://www.collegesref.com/college/mountain-empire-community-college-1798. Figures are federal reports (IPEDS and the U.S. College Scorecard); cite the data year shown with each table. Blank measures were not reported and are left out rather than estimated.