BRCC vs. Virginia Western Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, VA with Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Western Community College is larger than BRCC based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 3,790 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blue Ridge Community College is located in Weyers Cave, VA (Distant Rural setting); Virginia Western Community College is in Roanoke, VA (Small City setting).
• Blue Ridge Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Virginia Western Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blue Ridge Community College 21:1; Virginia Western Community College 23:1.

BRCC vs. Virginia Western Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BRCC or Virginia Western Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Virginia Western Community College than BRCC ($5,492 vs. $14,191).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Western Community College are 25.9% lower than at Blue Ridge Community College ($6,936 vs. $9,366).
• Blue Ridge Community College is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Western Community College (about $246 more per year; $5,646.00 vs. $5,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at BRCC than at Virginia Western Community College (about $246 more per year; $12,084.00 vs. $11,838.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Western Community College than at Blue Ridge Community College (77% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blue Ridge Community College students is 8.9% larger than aid received by Virginia Western Community College students ($6,552 vs. $6,017).

BRCC vs. Virginia Western Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BRCC or Virginia Western Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Virginia Western Community College and BRCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BRCC - Open admission; Virginia Western Community College - Open admission.

BRCC vs. Virginia Western Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BRCC and Virginia Western Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Blue Ridge Community College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Virginia Western Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,800 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blue Ridge Community College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than Virginia Western Community College graduates ($8,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, BRCC graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Western Community College graduates ($87 vs. $124).
• More BRCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Western Community College students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 37%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.