Home › Virginia › Welding schools › Mountain Empire Community College
Big Stone Gap, Virginia · public · mainly awards certificates · 1,282 students · WeldingMachining & CNCHVACDental AssistingPractical Nursing (LPN/LVN)EMT & ParamedicRadiologic Technology
Mountain Empire Community College is a public school in Big Stone Gap, VA that mainly awards certificates to local students. With an average annual net price of $8,852 after aid, it offers training in trades like HVAC and nursing. The school serves 1,282 students and offers 33 programs beyond the core trades listed.
The school reports a 42% completion rate, which includes transfer-outs from its public community college status. Median student debt at completion is not reported, but the median earnings 10 years after entry are $32,622. You should compare this long-term earning potential against the annual cost rather than total debt.
Net price is 61% above the Virginia median ($5,490) for schools offering these programs. Reported median earnings are 15% below the national median ($38,354) for comparable schools.
43.4% of students here receive federal Pell Grants. Get aid deadlines and program matches for Welding programs in Virginia.
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| Program | Credential | Median earnings 2 yrs after completion |
|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | associate degree | $36,166 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | undergraduate certificate | $30,771 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Program | Credential | Median earnings (2 yr after completion) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | associate degree | $50,161 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | associate degree | $35,600 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | associate degree | $20,824 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | associate degree | $20,140 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | undergraduate certificate | $19,508 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | associate degree | $15,964 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | associate degree | not reported |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Surveying Engineering | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | associate degree | not reported |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians | associate degree | not reported |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians | associate degree | not reported |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Legal Support Services | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Legal Support Services | associate degree | not reported |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Physical Science Technologies/Technicians | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Construction Trades, General | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | associate degree | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | associate degree | not reported |
| Accounting and Related Services | associate degree | not reported |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
| Real Estate | undergraduate certificate | not reported |
Registered apprenticeships are an alternative to paying for school — sponsors pay wages from day one. In Virginia:
| School | City | Net price / yr | Completion | Earnings (10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Technology Institute | Virginia Beach | $16,358 | 76.6% | $46,342 |
| Central Virginia Community College | Lynchburg | $6,928 | 30% | $36,627 |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Clifton Forge | $4,861 | 41.7% | $34,293 |
| Danville Community College | Danville | $6,669 | 33.8% | $31,664 |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Melfa | $2,495 | 35.2% | $32,418 |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond | $5,168 | 22.2% | $39,529 |