Location: Big Stone Gap, VA•In-State Tuition: $4,863•Out-of-State Tuition: $10,866
Median Earnings (1yr)
$16,029
5th percentile
10th percentile in Virginia
Est. Median Debt
$9,125
Est. from VA median (16 programs)
Sample: 24 graduates Limited data

Where Mountain Empire Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities certificate's programs nationally

Mountain Empire Community College (estimated ±10%)Other liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Mountain Empire Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Mountain Empire Community College earns $16k — 5th percentile among liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities certificate's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (24 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Mountain Empire Community CollegeBig Stone Gap$4,863$16,029—$9,125*—
Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk$5,714$31,688—$14,942*0.47
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeHampton$4,944$31,228$34,831$10,375*0.33
Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeCharlottesville$4,928$28,910$30,790$9,250*0.32
Germanna Community CollegeLocust Grove$5,066$26,037$40,605$8,187*0.31
New River Community CollegeDublin$4,835$25,798——*—
National Median—$27,024—$9,375*0.35
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates

Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

All postsecondary teachers not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Mountain Empire Community College, approximately 41% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.