College statistics
- Address:
- 3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap, VA
24219 - Sector Group:
- Public 2-Year
- Official Website:
- www.mecc.edu/
- Setting:
- Town
- Annual In-State Tuition:
- $4,902
- Annual Out-of-State Tuition:
- $10,560
- Endowment (End of Year):
- $13,312,806
- Research Activity Tier:
- No research designation
- Economic Mobility Index:
- Higher Access, Medium Earnings
- Primary Undergraduate Major:
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Mountain Empire Community College is a public two-year institution in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, serving the southwestern Appalachian region. The college offers general studies and liberal arts coursework in a town setting, drawing students from the surrounding area who seek affordable pathways into higher education or direct entry to the workforce.
In-state tuition runs $4,902 annually, with out-of-state tuition at $10,560. The college enrolls approximately 2,015 students. These costs cover tuition only and do not include living expenses or other educational costs beyond direct instruction.
Mountain Empire functions as both a transfer pathway to four-year institutions and a bridge to employment. Students should clarify their intended outcome—whether they plan to earn an associate degree and transfer, complete a certificate program, or pursue workforce training—and ask about articulation agreements with four-year universities in Virginia. For more information, visit www.mecc.edu/.