There are numerous reasons to consider community colleges, especially ones in Virginia Beach. Whether you are a high school student unsure of which colleges to apply to or an adult considering returning to school, community colleges may be a good choice.
Nearly 30% of undergraduates in the United States attend public, two-year colleges. The colleges provide benefits such as open enrollment and flexible scheduling.
In addition, community college can be an inexpensive way to get your feet wet in higher education before transferring to a four-year program. If you are looking for colleges in Virginia Beach, this article is for you.
Table of contents
- Why should you go to Community College in Virginia Beach?
- Who is Eligible for Free Community College in Virginia Beach?
- What is the Most Affordable Community College in Virginia Beach?
- What is the Cost of Community College in Virginia Beach?
- What is the Requirement for Community College in Virginia Beach?
- 10 Best Community Colleges in Virginia Beach?
- #1. Advanced Technology Institute
- #2. Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chesapeake
- #3. Blue Ridge Community College
- #4. Centura College-Virginia Beach
- #5. Virginia Western Community College
- #6. Germanna Community College
- #7. Heritage Institute-Manassas
- #8. Bright Point Community College
- #9. MedSpa Careers Institute
- #10. Northern Virginia Community College
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
Why should you go to Community College in Virginia Beach?
It would be best if you considered attending community colleges in Virginia Beach for several reasons. Most of them are-
You save money
At community colleges in Virginia Beach, students can earn an associate’s degree while paying low tuition. They can then transfer to a university to finish the two additional years of college required for a bachelor’s degree.
Community colleges are very affordable, which is why many students choose to complete their general education requirements there. Sometimes, you can take a class at a community college for a tenth of the cost of a university class. (matchkicks.com)
The admission process is quite simple
Some colleges have extremely competitive first-year admissions but are less competitive for transfer admissions. In other words, a prospective first-year student must compete with thousands of other students to gain admission to a traditional four-year college or university.
Furthermore, while most universities require TOEFL scores as part of the admissions process for international students, many community colleges do not. Instead, community colleges allow students to take an on-site assessment to determine their level of English proficiency, after which they can enroll in English as a second language classes to improve their English speaking, reading, and writing skills, if necessary.
Additional Benefits
Starting at the community college level and earning a high-grade point average (GPA) can show to college admissions staff that an international student can handle a university’s academic rigors.
It is especially beneficial for students who still need a high GPA before enrolling in community college. At community colleges in Virginia Beach, it is common to have only fifteen or twenty other students in your class.
This smaller class size allows you more access to your instructor and forms close relationships with other students.
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Who is Eligible for Free Community College in Virginia Beach?
Those whose total household income is less than or equal to 400% of the federal poverty line are eligible for a free community college in Virginia Beach. For a family of four, this equates to around $100,000.
Following that, students must apply for a certain number of classes to receive funding.
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What is the Most Affordable Community College in Virginia Beach?
Some of the community colleges in Virginia Beach are cheaper than others. They are-
- Mountain Empire Community College
- Central Virginia Community College
- Wytheville Community College
- Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
- Eastern Shore Community College.
What is the Cost of Community College in Virginia Beach?
For the 2021-22 school year, public community colleges in Virginia Beach charge about $5,155 per year for in-state and out-of-state students, $8,835 per year. The average annual tuition for private community colleges is approximately $15,477.
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What is the Requirement for Community College in Virginia Beach?
Minimum Age Requirements
Students must be 18 years old to attend most community colleges in Virginia beach. Exceptions are made for applicants who show advanced academic ability.
Some colleges offer opportunities for students as young as 16 who want to take specific college classes or gain a college education part-time.
Requirement for academic credit
Most community colleges in Virginia Beach require a high school diploma or equivalent certificate to show your academic performance. A GED, SAT, or ACT are some popular alternative certificates.
Specific educational requirements, such as a high GPA, are required by some community colleges. Poor grades that result in a grade point average of less than 2.0 may impact your application.
Requirement for Transfer Students
Students from any language school, college, or university in the United States who want to earn an associate degree or continue their academic career at a community college will most likely need to submit official transcripts from their previous schools. Most colleges offer admissions advisors to assist with the application process.
Requirement for Trade Students
Apprentices needing a high school diploma or equivalent certificate should contact the admissions office to arrange placement testing and other admissions criteria.
Placement tests can assess applicants’ competence if they do not meet specific admissions requirements. These students usually apply to technical schools.
Requirement for International Students
Applicants from outside the United States who want to earn college credit at a community college may need to submit IELTS, TOEFL, or Cambridge certificates and a school transcript.
Some schools also require international applicants to provide F-1 visa information before registering.
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10 Best Community Colleges in Virginia Beach?
Many traditional universities have agreements or partnerships with community colleges that allow community college graduates to be automatically admitted into the university program of their choice, assuming the student meets all other admission requirements.
Since each community college is unique, the type of partnership or agreement you’ll find will differ from one to the next.
The ten best community colleges in Virginia Beach are:
#1. Advanced Technology Institute
- 5700 Southern Blvd Ste 100
- Virginia Beach, VA 23462
- (757) 490-1241
Advanced Technology Institute is one of the best community colleges in Virginia Beach. Automotive Technology, Heavy Vehicle, Commercial Driving, HVAC/Refrigeration, and Maritime Welding are among the hands-on programs available at Advanced Technology Institute. Other programs they offer are-
- Automotive Technology
- Diesel Mechanic Training – Degree Program
- Diesel Mechanic Training – Diploma Program
- Associate in Occupational Science Trades Leadership with a Specialization in Heavy Vehicle Technology
- HVAC/Refrigeration
- Associate in Occupational Science Trades Leadership with Specialization in HVAC Technology
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#2. Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chesapeake
- 2211 S Military Hwy
- Chesapeake, VA 23320
- (757) 363-2121
The Aviation Institute of Maintenance trains tomorrow’s technicians. The demand for skilled technicians in aviation, manufacturing, welding, energy, and other industries is outstripping the supply.
The country requires men and women to learn technical trade skills for today and the future. It is one of the best community colleges in Virginia Beach.
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#3. Blue Ridge Community College
- Weyers Cave, VA 24486
- (540) 234-9261
Blue Ridge Community College is a two-year college in North Carolina founded in 1969 by the state. It has campuses in Henderson County in Flat Rock, North Carolina, and Transylvania County in Brevard, North Carolina.
#4. Centura College-Virginia Beach
- 2697 Dean Dr. Ste 100
- Virginia Beach, VA 23452
- (757) 340-2121
Centura College Virginia Beach has medical assisting careers that can lead to opportunities to work alongside doctors and nurses in various healthcare settings. Some people concentrate their education on the clinical side of the industry to have a more direct hands-on approach with patients.
Others work in office management, where their management, administration, and technological skills allow them to excel.
#5. Virginia Western Community College
- 3094 Colonial Ave
- Roanoke, VA 24015
- (540) 857-8922
Virginia Western Community College is one of the best community colleges in Virginia Beach. The VCCS has guaranteed admissions agreements with over 30 public and private colleges in Virginia.
86% of VWCC graduates reported full-time employment, with an average annual salary of $43,744.
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#6. Germanna Community College
- 2130 Germanna Hwy
- Locust Grove, VA 22508
- (540) 423-9030
Germanna Community College is a Virginia community college located in Locust Grove, Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Culpeper.
It was named after Germanna, a settlement founded by Governor Alexander Spotswood for a group of German miners near the Rapidan River at Germanna Ford.
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#7. Heritage Institute-Manassas
- 8255 Shopper’s Square
- Manassas, VA 20111
- (703) 334-2501
Heritage is in Manassas, Virginia (a large suburb). The school is a for-profit, private institution. The Associate’s degree is Heritage’s highest degree level.
The school is well-known for its therapy and counseling programs and beauty and cosmetology programs.
Heritage is an open-enrollment school. Many applicants come from out of state, showing the school’s high quality or unique character. In 2007, Heritage had 255 students enrolled. The school has a large proportion of students.
#8. Bright Point Community College
- 13101 Jefferson Davis Hwy
- Chester, VA 23831
- (804) 796-4000
Brightpoint Community College is a public community college in Chester, Virginia, formerly known as John Tyler Community College.
During the academic year 2010-2011, the college served over 14,500 students. Through the Community College Workforce Alliance, the institution also serves 15,000 non-credit students and over 1,000 businesses and government agencies each year.
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#9. MedSpa Careers Institute
- 800 Moorefield Park Drive
- Richmond, VA 23236
- (804) 521-0400
MedSpa Careers Institute has ten students (all of whom are full-time). The student: teacher ratio at the college is 10:1, which is lower than the state community college average of 18:1.
Minority enrollment is at 100% (majority Black and Hispanic), which is lower than the state average of 49%. It is one of the best community colleges in Virginia Beach.
#10. Northern Virginia Community College
- 4001 Wakefield Chapel Rd
- Annandale, VA 22003
- (703) 323-3000
This Community College is a public community college with six campuses and four centers in the Washington, D.C., suburbs of Northern Virginia.
Northern Virginia Community College is the third-largest multi-campus community college in the United States and the state’s largest educational institution.
The Virginia Community College System includes the college. Since January 13, 2020, Anne M. Kress has served as its president. Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun County, Manassas, Springfield, and Woodbridge are all home to NOVA campuses.
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Frequently Asked Questions
23 universities. Virginia’s Community Colleges, which have 23 colleges on 40 campuses, provide various educational opportunities.
Virginia legislation establishing a tuition-free community college program became law in January.
Averett University Nontraditional Programs, accepting 9% of high school applicants, tops the list.
Community College of Oxnard
Central Wyoming Community College
Bristol Community College
The Lehman College.
Community College of South Texas
Although some community colleges in the United States provide free tuition, the vast majority do not. As of 2022, 20 states offer tuition-free community college, so if you live in that state and meet specific requirements, you can attend classes for free.
Conclusion
There are many economic, social, and practical reasons students should attend a community college in Virginia Beach rather than a traditional university.
The quality of education at a community college is on par with that of a traditional four-year university; a community college is an excellent place to begin if you want to earn a bachelor’s degree eventually, and here are a few reasons.
References
- communitycollegereview.com– Virginia Beach community colleges
- vbgov.com– V.B. community colleges and trade schools
- yelp.com– Community colleges in Virginia Beach
