Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Mountain Empire Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Earnings Distribution
How Mountain Empire Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Mountain Empire Community College graduates earn $36k, placing them in the 20th percentile of all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (37 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Empire Community College | $35,693 | $33,775 | $11,604* | — |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | $61,566 | — | —* | — |
| Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing | $56,355 | $64,351 | $14,750* | 0.26 |
| ECPI University | $51,209 | $46,276 | $25,250* | 0.49 |
| Fortis College-Norfolk | $50,451 | $49,631 | $20,455* | 0.41 |
| Fortis College-Richmond | $50,451 | $49,631 | $20,455* | 0.41 |
| National Median | $44,134 | — | $14,803* | 0.34 |
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Programs in Virginia
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Virginia schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont Virginia Community College Charlottesville | $4,928 | $61,566 | — |
| Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing Falls Church | — | $56,355 | $14,750 |
| ECPI University Virginia Beach | $18,484 | $51,209 | $25,250 |
| Fortis College-Norfolk Norfolk | $14,083 | $50,451 | $20,455 |
| Fortis College-Richmond Richmond | $14,986 | $50,451 | $20,455 |
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.
Sample Size: Based on 27 graduates with reported earnings and 14 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.