News and Events

Who We Are

Virginia’s Community Colleges are a network of open-access institutions, which offer academic as well as workforce training programs. Our small classes, hands-on instructors, multiple campuses, and affordable tuition ensure a smooth transition for students no matter where they are in their education journey.

Our comprehensive curriculum is designed to not only educate the learner, but prepare them for the demands of today’s ever-changing, technology-driven workplace.

Academic Programs

Students interested in pursuing an associate degree can choose from a variety of majors, from general studies to nuclear technology. Those interested in transferring to four-year institutions can rely on our expert advisors to help them navigate the process, offering the tools and guidance necessary for them to continue their academic journey seamlessly.

Additionally, our two-Year College Transfer Grant Program (CTG) allows qualifying students who complete their associate degree at any one of our colleges and then transfer to a Virginia four-year college or university where admission is guaranteed can receive a stipend annually. Thirty of Virginia’s public colleges and universities are participants in our Statewide Guaranteed Admissions Agreement.

Workforce Training

On the workforce side, students can enroll in affordable short-term training programs like Fast Forward and earn credentials in weeks, not years. Our “Get A Skill, Get A Job, Get Ahead” program, also known as G3, positions our students for rewarding careers in high-demand industries. Qualifying students pay little or nothing out-of-pocket for their tuition.

Our workforce programs are aligned with the needs of Virginia’s business community, making us the premier workforce training provider in the Commonwealth.

Strategically positioned around the state, our 23 colleges can be accessed from any location in Virginia within a 30-minute drive and serve nearly 200,000 students each year. Virginia’s Community Colleges are the smart choice for obtaining an affordable, high-quality education.

Who We Serve

Virginia’s Community Colleges have a diverse student population. The majority of our learners are looking to upskill or develop an entirely new skill.

Females, students of color, and military veterans – which consist of active military, retired service members, or their family members – comprise a sizeable number of our student population.

Many of our learners are high school Dual Enrollment students and graduate from high school with associate degrees, giving them a significant head start over their contemporaries who opt to begin their higher ed journey after graduation. These students also save tens of thousands of dollars in tuition costs, an important consideration given so many would-be students nowadays feel the cost of a college education is beyond their means.

The majority of our students are enrolled on a part-time basis. Most are working at least one job but a sizeable contingent is working two or more jobs. For these learners, time is an extremely valuable commodity; being present for traditional in-person classroom instruction just isn’t practical. To accommodate their needs, Virginia’s Community Colleges maintain a robust distance learning alternative. In fact, the majority of our students are remote learners.

Statistics and Demographics

Learn more about VCCS statistics and demographics.