Central Virginia Community College vs. Laurel Ridge Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, VA with Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Laurel Ridge Community College is larger than Central Virginia Community College based on total student enrollment (5,902 students vs. 3,481 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Virginia Community College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Laurel Ridge Community College is in Middletown, VA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Laurel Ridge Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Virginia Community College 18:1; Laurel Ridge Community College 28:1.

Central Virginia Community College vs. Laurel Ridge Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Virginia Community College or Laurel Ridge 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 Laurel Ridge Community College than Central Virginia Community College ($6,411 vs. $6,827).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Laurel Ridge Community College are 17.2% lower than at Central Virginia Community College ($9,970 vs. $12,039).
• Central Virginia Community College is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Laurel Ridge Community College (about $85 more per year; $5,157.00 vs. $5,072.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Central Virginia Community College than at Laurel Ridge Community College (about $85 more per year; $11,595.00 vs. $11,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Virginia Community College than at Laurel Ridge Community College (72% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Central Virginia Community College students is 1.2% larger than aid received by Laurel Ridge Community College students ($5,628 vs. $5,563).

Central Virginia Community College vs. Laurel Ridge Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Virginia Community College or Laurel Ridge 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 Laurel Ridge Community College and Central Virginia Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Virginia Community College - Open admission; Laurel Ridge Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Virginia Community College Jul 30, 2027; Laurel Ridge Community College Jul 27, 2027.

Central Virginia Community College vs. Laurel Ridge Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Virginia Community College and Laurel Ridge 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 Laurel Ridge Community College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Central Virginia Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,600 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Virginia Community College graduates have a $2,053 lower median loan debt than Laurel Ridge Community College graduates ($5,572 vs. $7,625).
• Among borrowers, Central Virginia Community College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Laurel Ridge Community College graduates ($57 vs. $78).
• More Central Virginia Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Laurel Ridge Community College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 43%)

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.