State Budget Agreement Allows Virginia’s Community Colleges to Continue Providing Affordable Access to Higher Education
~ Community Colleges are the Lowest-Funded Higher Education Institutions in Virginia ~
RICHMOND, Va. – Recognizing the additional funding approved by the governor and Virginia General Assembly, the State Board for Community Colleges voted today to limit base tuition increases to three percent for in-state students. A $4.79 per credit hour tuition increase for instate students (3%) will go into effect in the fall semester for the 2024-2025 academic year.
“We are committed to providing affordable access to high quality programs for Virginians,” said Peggy Layne, chair of the State Board of Virginia’s Community Colleges. “We’re not immune from rising costs, but we are proud that we have been able to maintain tuition rates at about one-third of the average comparable tuition at Virginia’s public four-year universities.”
The new in-state rate is $163.40 per credit hour, or $2,451.00 for a 15 credit-hour semester. The tuition increase only applies to the tuition and education and general (E&G) fee which covers general operating costs. Note that some colleges have tuition differentials and other mandatory fees covering student activities and auxiliary operations and these vary at the community college level. Check with individual colleges for locally relevant information.
Virginia’s Community Colleges remain Virginia’s most affordable and accessible pathway to better jobs. Yet, community colleges remain the lowest-funded higher education institutions in Virginia, receiving less than 57 cents for every one dollar that goes to support a full-time equivalent student at a public Virginia university. Additionally, expenditures per full-time student at Virginia’s Community Colleges are in the 23rd percentile in the nation, meaning 77% of community colleges across the country spend more per student.
“Many of our learners have limited financial resources, and inflationary pressures only serve to exacerbate their situation,” said Dr. David Doré, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System. “But our colleges can and do provide programs that afford life-changing benefits to our learners, such as FastForward, which incentivizes them to complete short-term credential training programs for Virginia’s most in-demand jobs at a fraction of the cost they might otherwise incur. And our G3 tuition-assistance program has proven quite effective in removing many of the financial challenges that Virginia’s learners routinely encounter.”
Prior to July 2023, Virginia’s Community Colleges had held the same tuition rate for five consecutive years.
About Virginia’s Community Colleges
Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills, so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve approximately 230,000 students each year across 23 schools. For more information, please visit www.vccs.edu.