Best Community Colleges in Virginia

Southwest Virginia Community College serves an area encompassing Buchanan, Rusell, Tazewell, and Dickenson counties. In addition to providing world-class education opportunities, SVCC enriches the local community through a small-business development center, the Appalachian Arts Center, a community chorus, and the annual Festival of the Arts.

Students enrolled at SVCC can choose from 35 transfer- and career-ready associate degrees and 48 one-year and short-term certificates. Transferable degree options include a general studies associate in Appalachian studies and a business associate in outdoor leadership. With available online learning options and traditional classroom courses into the evening hours, SVCC provides flexibility to students with a range of scheduling needs.

Prospective learners can complete a free application online. General enrollment requires high school transcripts. Some health technologies programs require additional documentation or prerequisites.

New River Community College educates more than 4,000 undergraduate students each year. The 100-acre main campus in Dublin encompasses four buildings. Learners can also access select general education courses and academic services at a state-of-the-art instructional site at the New River Valley Mall in Christiansburg.

NRCC offers 10 transfer degrees, 19 career-focused associate degrees, eight one-year certificates, and 32 short-term career studies certificates. Students preparing for university transfer can pursue flexible general studies degrees or select a focus option, choosing among business administration, education, engineering, liberal arts, and science. Learners can even pursue a bachelor's or master's degree on-site at NRCC through distance learning options provided by Old Dominion University.

Applications can be completed online or through the mail. First-time college students applying to NRCC must complete English and math placement tests unless exempt.

Founded in 1962, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College bears the name of a prominent Virginia educator and longtime resident of the local community. The school encompasses a service area of eight surrounding counties and cities, welcoming approximately 1,400 credit and noncredit students to the Clifton Forge campus and Rockbridge Regional Center each year.

DLCC offers a total of 12 degrees -- including three specialization options -- and 36 one-year and short-term certificates. Transferable degree majors include business administration, education, general studies, and science. Career-focused associate programs and certificates offer diverse focus areas like forest management technology, industrial/structural welding, nonprofit management, and private security service. Beyond academics, students can participate in clubs, organizations, student government, and the campus newspaper.

DLCC accepts applications from high school graduates and nongraduates. Depending on status, prospective students may need to provide official transcripts and ACT/SAT test scores and/or complete placement testing.

Situated in Weyers Cave, the campus of Blue Ridge Community College encompasses various academic buildings, a fine arts center, a rec center, and a workforce center, which offers space for local businesses, organizations, and private groups to rent for meetings and events. Clubs and cultural activities provide opportunities for students to engage in a thriving campus community.

BRCC offers programs of study in more than 20 subject areas including aviation, human services, nursing, and early childhood development. Learners can also pursue programs in radiologic technology and culinary arts/management through partnerships with other Virginia institutions. Students who require scheduling flexibility can complete their education through online and hybrid learning. Four programs -- three in aviation and one in veterinary technology -- are available entirely online.

Both high school graduates and nongraduates can apply for general admission to BRCC. Some programs practice selective admissions and may require that prospective students meet additional qualifications.

Danville Community College is one of the oldest community colleges in Virginia. Originally established in 1963 as Danville Textile School, DCC predates the formation of a statewide body for junior colleges. Today, the two-year institution serves several thousand students each year from an 86-acre campus just south of downtown Danville.

Students can choose from more than 100 programs designed to meet requirements for university transfer, career training, general education, or customized business and industry needs. DCC's seven transferable associate degrees -- in business, engineering, science, and the liberal arts -- offer guaranteed admission to more than 30 Virginia colleges and universities for students who maintain a qualifying minimum GPA. A variety of courses feature online completion options. Campus involvement opportunities include honor societies, student government, clubs, and activities.

Prospective students can access applications for free online. Applicants must show readiness for college-level coursework by providing proof of high school graduation and/or completing a placement test.

Paul D. Camp Community College is named after local education advocate Paul D. Camp. The main PDCCC campus in Franklin sits on land donated by Camp's daughters nearly 50 years after his death. A second campus in Suffolk and a learning center in Smithfield expand PDCCC academics and services throughout the region.

Approximately 1,500 credit-seeking students attend PDCCC each year. More than 61 short-term, one-year, and two-year programs are available in seven areas of study: health sciences, administrative/office support, education, business and management, industrial technology and trades, and public safety. Several academic areas offer "stackable" credentials, meaning students can apply credits earned in a certificate program to an associate degree in the same field. Online course options offer additional flexibility.

As an open-admissions school, PDCCC accepts both high school graduates and nongraduates who meet the criteria. Prospective students must complete an application and schedule a placement test unless exempt.

Virginia Highlands Community College has been a dynamic leader in education within the state's southwest region for more than half a century. Approximately 3,000 credit and noncredit students enroll each year. The Abingdon campus offers a variety of major events and activities including intramural sports and an annual comic-con.

VHCC offers more than 70 programs of study, including career- and transfer-ready associate degrees and one-year certificates. Transfer degrees offer a diverse set of specialization options including art education, theater arts education, engineering science, and horticulture science. The school delivers credit and noncredit distance learning courses in a variety of subjects, taught by the same instructors who lead on-campus classes.

Prospective students can fill out an online application for free. Placement testing may be required. Acceptance to VHCC does not guarantee enrollment in select healthcare programs.

Virginia Western Community College is the third-largest community college in Virginia, with a current annual enrollment exceeding 9,000 credit students and 1,400 noncredit students. Located in southwest Roanoke, the 70-acre campus encourages student involvement through an assortment of social, cultural, and recreational activities and events, including art exhibitions, music performances, and lectures.

Students at VWCC can choose from 15 transferable associate degrees; 26 career-focused associate of applied science degrees; two one-year certificates; and 37 short-term, career studies certificates. Many courses offer several completion methods, including dual-enrollment high school classes, traditional day classes, evening classes, and online learning. Business students can expedite their learning through VWCC's fast-track programs.

VWCC's general admissions policy welcomes applications from high school graduates and eligible nongraduates, as determined by assessment scores. Select health programs may feature additional criteria.

Established in 1967, John Tyler Community College is named for the 10th U.S. president, a Virginia native. The school serves more than 14,000 students each year, making it one of the largest community colleges in Virginia. JTCC operates two major campus locations in Chester and Midlothian and serves residents of 10 surrounding counties.

JTCC offers nearly 80 in-demand academic, career, and technical programs, with short-term, one-year, and two-year timelines available. Students can complete twelve programs entirely online. The JTCC catalog features a diverse field of academic disciplines, including law and public safety, arts and communication, and advanced manufacturing. Students who complete a transferable associate degree with a qualifying GPA can receive guaranteed admission at more than 35 four-year institutions across the state and country.

Eligible applicants to JTCC include individuals with a high school education or the ability to benefit from college instruction, as demonstrated by placement testing.

Located near Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia Community College is the largest community college in Virginia and the second-largest community college in the U.S. More than 75,000 students attend classes on NOVA's six campuses, located in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, Springfield, and Woodbridge.

The school delivers more than 160 degrees and certificates in ten major areas of interest, including business and hospitality management; fine arts, digital media, and design; and physical and life sciences. NOVA's dedicated online campus offers various individual courses, 18 complete associate degrees, and 12 career studies certificates through e-learning technology. Outside of class, students can get involved in sports and intramurals, clubs, organizations, and diverse campus programs and events.

NOVA accepts high school graduates -- and nongraduates who meet minimum placement criteria -- into its credit programs. The college encourages early applications and admits on a first-come, first-served basis. Class enrollment limitations may apply.