DSLCC vs. Laurel Ridge Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Mountain Gateway Community College in Clifton Forge, 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 DSLCC based on total student enrollment (5,902 students vs. 989 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Mountain Gateway Community College is located in Clifton Forge, VA (Rural Fringe setting); Laurel Ridge Community College is in Middletown, VA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Mountain Gateway 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: Mountain Gateway Community College 17:1; Laurel Ridge Community College 28:1.

DSLCC vs. Laurel Ridge Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DSLCC 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 Mountain Gateway Community College than Laurel Ridge Community College ($5,728 vs. $6,411).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mountain Gateway Community College are 16.8% lower than at Laurel Ridge Community College ($8,300 vs. $9,970).
• Laurel Ridge Community College is 1% more expensive for in-state tuition than DSLCC (about $50 more per year; $5,072.00 vs. $5,022.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Laurel Ridge Community College than at Mountain Gateway Community College (about $50 more per year; $11,510.00 vs. $11,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mountain Gateway Community College than at Laurel Ridge Community College (88% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mountain Gateway Community College students is 16.6% larger than aid received by Laurel Ridge Community College students ($6,487 vs. $5,563).

DSLCC vs. Laurel Ridge Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DSLCC 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 DSLCC.

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

DSLCC vs. Laurel Ridge Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DSLCC 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 $4,600 more per year than DSLCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,600 vs. $30,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Laurel Ridge Community College graduates have a $1,259 lower median loan debt than DSLCC graduates ($7,625 vs. $8,884).
• Among borrowers, Laurel Ridge Community College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DSLCC graduates ($78 vs. $91).
• More DSLCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Laurel Ridge Community College students, three years after graduation. (50% 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.