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Cheapest community colleges in Virginia

Community colleges in Virginia ranked by published in-state tuition, lowest first. Published tuition is the sticker price; the price you actually pay is typically much lower after federal Pell grants and state aid. Use this list as a starting point, then file the FAFSA to see your real cost.

  1. Patrick & Henry Community CollegeMartinsville, VA$5,002
  2. Paul D Camp Community CollegeFranklin, VA$5,012
  3. Piedmont Virginia Community CollegeCharlottesville, VA$5,072
  4. Brightpoint Community CollegeChester, VA$5,082
  5. Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeHampton, VA$5,088
  6. J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeRichmond, VA$5,280
  7. Tidewater Community CollegeNorfolk, VA$5,588
  8. Northern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale, VA$5,891
  9. Richard Bland CollegeSouth Prince George, VA$9,090
  10. American National UniversitySalem, VA$10,961
  11. Virginia University of LynchburgLynchburg, VA$11,360
  12. Centra CollegeLynchburg, VA$12,983
  13. Galen Health Institutes-RichmondRichmond, VA$16,364
  14. Galen Health Institutes-RoanokeRoanoke, VA$16,364
  15. Riverside College of Health CareersNewport News, VA$17,250
  16. ECPI UniversityVirginia Beach, VA$18,484
  17. Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia BeachVirginia Beach, VA$18,489

Reading the list

The figures above are the published in-state tuition rates each Virginia community college reports to the U.S. Department of Education. These are the rates posted to the institution's tuition schedule before any aid is applied. For most Virginia community-college students, federal Pell grants alone cover a substantial share of tuition, and state aid programs in Virginia often cover the remainder for residents who qualify. Out-of-state tuition is typically higher; check the individual college profile for both rates.

Tuition alone is not the right comparison for a complete cost picture. The College Scorecard also reports total annual cost of attendance — tuition plus required fees, books, room and board (if applicable), and other expenses — which is the more meaningful number when you are budgeting for a year of school. Each college's full profile lists cost of attendance alongside tuition. For students who can live at home and avoid room-and-board costs, the gap between tuition and cost of attendance shrinks substantially.

If your goal is the lowest possible total cost, the cheapest tuition isn't always the right pick. A slightly more expensive program with a higher transfer rate or stronger articulation agreement with a four-year university may produce a lower total degree cost overall, because lost credit on transfer can erase the savings of a low community-college tuition.