About Mountain Empire Community College (MECC)
Type
Public
2 Years
Student Population
2,506
Website
www.mecc.eduAccreditation
SACSCOC
Religious Affiliation
Not applicable
On Campus Housing
No
Mountain Empire Community College(MECC) is a public community college in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. Mountain Empire Community College is a two-year college that serves the residents of Scott, Lee, Wise, and Dickenson Counties, and the City of Norton. The College operates under recommendations established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Local Advisory Board. Mountain Empire Community College is 1 of 23 colleges in the Virginia Community College System. The College is chiefly financed with state funds and accompanied by contributions from the local jurisdictions.
In 1966, A system of robust community colleges was established statewide when the Virginia Assembly passed a landmark legislation. The enactment of this legislation resulted in bringing most post-high school education into one system. This helped to broaden higher education in Virginia. The primary aspiration of Community Colleges being to serve all sections of society. The local governing bodies of Scott, Lee, Wise, and Dickenson Counties and the City of Norton in Southwest Virginia composed a committee for the purpose of establishing a community college.Dr. George B. Vaughan became the first president of Mountain Empire Community College in the year 1971. The first classes at Mountain Empire Community College(MECC) were offered in the fall of 1972.
Through its notable principles and measures, MECC has earned the trust of students and particularly the community it serves. The principles that guide MECC are proper accreditation, balanced and non-discriminatory standards. Programs at Mountain Empire Community College fall under the academic divisions of Applied Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Health Sciences, and Business and Information Technology.
Mountain Empire Community College’s Accreditation
The College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges for its associate degree. Assessing individual program accreditations, the Respiratory Therapy program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, the Nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing, the Emergency Medical Services Technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs, The Computer-Aided Drafting & Design Technology, Technical Studies, Computer Manufacturing Technology, and Computer Manufacturing Technology are accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE).
Rankings
To tackle the tough decision of choosing the right university, the ranking of a particular college helps the student in clearing their doubts regarding where they want to apply. When it comes to the ranking of a college or any educational institution, the more information a student has, the better. The ranking of a college helps a student in many ways. It helps them overcome the confusion of which university/college is good for them and also other prospects. Before taking admission, a student assesses their chosen college on various factors like research excellence, the performance of its students after graduation, and their experience, among others. Notably, for the rankings, the two publications, US News and Forbes, are trusted everywhere. However, it is to be noted that Mountain Empire Community College does not feature in the list of top colleges, according to the latest ranking by these two publications.
Admissions
Application Deadline
FALSE
Acceptance Rate
N/A
SAT Range
N/A
ACT Range
N/A
Application Fee
FALSE$
SAT/ACT
Considered but not required
High School GPA
N/A
Accept Common App
FALSE
Mountain Empire Community College follows a firm policy to promote equal educational opportunities regardless of a person’s age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, impairment.
How do I get into Mountain Empire Community College(MECC)?
- Step 1- Apply for admission by completing the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) online application.
- Step 2- Apply for Financial aid. Financial aid may come in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study positions.
- Step 3- Meet with a college admission advisor, take the placement test, and submit transcripts.
- Step 4- Register and pay for classes through the college’s system “MyMECC”.
Annual Cost to Attend
Net Price
$6,411
Average Annual Cost
$4,490
Books And Supplies
$1,500
Room And Board
$2,600
Budget For Other Expenses
$1,300
Total One Year Cost
$14,110
Can I afford to attend Mountain Empire Community College?
The annual cost to attend Mountain Empire Community college totals $14,110 before the incorporation of financial aid. This price includes charges of Tuition which costs $4490, Books which costs $1500, Room and Board which costs $2600, Transport which costs $4,000, and personal expenses which are roughly $1,300. After the acknowledgment of financial aid options, the effective cost sums up to approximately $6,411.
Academics
Highest Degree Offered
Associate degree
Student:Faculty Ratio
20:1
Full-Time Retention Rate
60%
Part-Time Retention Rate
28%
Academic Calendar
Semester
Research Funding per Student
N/A
Faculty Overview
Male Professors
Female Professors
Non-traditional Learning
Evening Degree Programs
Teacher Certification
Distance Education
Study Abroad
Majors
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General...
192 Graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervent...
144 Graduates
Registered Nursing, Administration,...
52 Graduates
Industrial Production Technologies/...
34 Graduates
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science...
32 Graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
29 Graduates
Business Operations Support and Ass...
25 Graduates
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursi...
22 Graduates
Computer and Information Sciences,...
21 Graduates
Precision Metal Working
19 Graduates
Health and Medical Administrative S...
18 Graduates
Electrical Engineering Technologies...
17 Graduates
Human Development, Family Studies,...
15 Graduates
Business Administration, Management...
11 Graduates
Ventilation and Refrigeration Maint...
10 Graduates
Drafting/Design Engineering Technol...
8 Graduates
Environmental Control Technologies/...
8 Graduates
Legal Support Services
7 Graduates
Surveying Engineering
6 Graduates
Natural Resources Conservation and...
5 Graduates
Funeral Service and Mortuary Scienc...
3 Graduates
Accounting and Related Services
2 Graduates
Design and Applied Arts
1 Graduates
Physical Science Technologies/Techn...
1 Graduates
Visual and Performing Arts, General
1 Graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,506
Socio-Economic Diversity
42%
Part-time
62%
Students Gender
LGBTQIA STUDENT RESOURCE GROUPS
ON CAMPUS WOMEN'S CENTER
Race/Ethnicity
Geographic Density
Geographic Density
High
Unknown Location
Out Of State
In State
Foreign
Economic Diversity
36% percentage of students who recieved an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.
Median Household Income
$35,559 per year
Campus Life
Housing
The institution does not provide on-campus housing facilities for students.
On Campus Housing Available
No
Freshmen Required to Live on Campus
No
Freshmen Live on Campus
N/A
Undergrads in College Housing
N/A
Averege Housing Cost
N/A
Campus Food
The institution does not provide any meal plan options.
Meal Plan Available
No
Average Meal Plan Available
N/A
Athletes
Division Sports Nickname
N/A
School Colors
N/A
Varsity Athletics Association
N/A
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable
Total Male Athletes
N/A
Total Female Athletes
N/A
Intramural Sports
N/A
Sports Club
N/A
Campus Safety
24-Hour Security Patrol
Yes
Campus Emergency Phones
Yes
24-Hour Escort Safety rides
No
Mobile Campus Emergency Alert
No
Since the campus life of the students assumes an imperative part of their development and advancement, students at MECC invest a lot of their time learning from the faculty members. Additionally, the students have an incredible breadth to learn and turn into a change-maker. To ensure the safety and security of students, the college has a number of campus safety and security measures in place. Some of these features include 24-hr security patrol and campus emergency phones. The college has enrolled around 38% male and 62% female students.
After Graduation
Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$20,100/year
Median Earnings 10 Years After Graduation
$24,400/year
Typical Monthly Loan Payment
N/A - N/A
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Gift Aid
Average Aid Per Year
$5,169
Students Receiving Federal Grants
Average Aid Per Year
$4,533
Students Receiving State Aid
Average Aid Per Year
$1,015
Students Receiving Institutional Grants
Average Aid Per Year
$1,926
Average Grant & Scholarship by Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30K
$5,881
$30K - $48K
$5,931
$48K - $75K
$4,232
$75K - $110K
$4,870
Financial Aid aid at Mountain Empire Community College is applicable to Credit Classes, not for Audited Classes. Financial aid for students can come in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, and part-time jobs. The first step for students would be to fill the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). According to MECC, it is best to complete the FAFSA by 1st May of the year a student plans to attend the college. Students should try to complete the FAFSA at least 2 weeks prior to the commencement of their classes at MECC. Students and parents can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. The MECC school code is 009629.