June is not too early to take the first step toward a brighter future, and it’s always the right time to recognize the vital role Southwest Virginia’s community colleges play in empowering individuals and uplifting our region. These institutions are more than places of learning; they are dynamic engines of economic opportunity, workforce innovation and community growth. Their impact is undeniable, and with the right support, they can do even more. By championing equitable state investment, we can help ensure our community colleges continue to thrive and drive our region toward an even brighter future.
At Mountain Empire Community College, New River Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College, Virginia Highlands Community College and Wytheville Community College, our mission is rooted in opportunity. Every day, our colleges prepare our region’s students to earn credentials that open doors to local careers, strong wages and upward mobility. In industries such as health care, advanced manufacturing, information technology, education and skilled trades, our graduates fill in-demand positions and drive the region forward.
Our colleges awarded thousands of degrees, certificates and workforce credentials in the past year, each representing a step toward greater earning power. For example, students who complete an associate degree at one of our colleges, on average, earn $7,600 more per year than their peers with only a high school diploma. That adds up to more than $319,000 in lifetime earnings. For those completing short-term industry certifications, the benefits come quickly and without the burden of long-term debt.
We offer flexible schedules, robust online and in-person options, and programs designed to meet students where they are, with supports that ensure they have the resources required for success. Whether a current high school student engaged in dual-enrollment opportunities, a recent high school graduate seeking a career in cybersecurity, a working parent training to become a nurse or an industry worker pursuing a new trade, our community colleges are structured to serve everyone at every stage of life.
That service pays off, not just for individuals, but for our entire region. Over 80% of our graduates stay and work in the region. Last year alone, our five colleges generated $560.4 million in economic impact, an amount equal to 5.4% of Southwest Virginia’s entire gross regional product. Our operations, student spending and, most powerfully, our alumni working in the region supported 8,424 jobs. That equates to one in every 14 jobs in the region. These are not abstract numbers; they represent families supported, communities sustained and local businesses strengthened.
An investment in Southwest Virginia’s community colleges is also one of the soundest you can make. For every dollar students invest in their education, they receive $5.30 in higher future earnings. Taxpayers also benefit from receiving $1.70 in return for every public dollar invested in our colleges. These returns reflect reduced reliance on public services, healthier communities and higher local tax revenues.
We achieve remarkable outcomes with modest resources and an unwavering commitment to our mission. Our tuition and fee rates remain among the most affordable in the nation, less than a third of the comparable cost to attend Virginia’s four-year universities, helping to ensure that higher education and workforce training are within reach for all Virginians. Yet, a significant funding gap persists between community colleges and other educational institutions in the commonwealth.
A 2022 report published by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia revealed that community colleges receive nearly half of the state funding per full-time equivalent (FTE) student compared to state universities in Virginia, and only about 33% of what public K–12 schools receive per FTE.
This FTE-based funding comparison doesn’t reflect the unique realities of community colleges, where more than two-thirds of students attend part-time while balancing work, family and other life responsibilities. The result is that the limited resources available for services to students are spread over many more individuals, and the actual number of students served by community colleges is vastly undercounted when funding decisions are made. Despite serving a broad and diverse student population with complex support needs, community colleges continue to do more with less, receiving disproportionately lower funding than both K–12 schools and public universities in Virginia.
This substantial funding gap highlights the need for greater investment in community colleges. Despite receiving less than a third of the funding per student compared to Virginia’s universities, our community colleges continue to deliver high-quality education and training that directly benefits the local economy and workforce. Investing in community colleges is not just about fairness to our local communities and citizens; it is about maximizing the return on investment for taxpayers.
By addressing this funding disparity, we can ensure that community colleges have the resources needed to continue providing accessible, high-quality education to all students, regardless of their background. This investment will enable us to build innovative programming, expand partnerships with local employers and adapt quickly to the changing demands of today’s job market.
We encourage you to look around. Look at the nurses in your hospitals, the line workers delivering your electricity, the technicians at your manufacturing plant, the IT specialists solving complex problems and the educators shaping the next generation. Chances are, they were trained at one of our colleges. We stand alongside our students, business partners and communities, working toward a brighter, more resilient Southwest Virginia. When we invest in community colleges, we are not just supporting institutions; we are building futures.
To make an investment in the future of Southwest Virginia, please navigate to https://vfcce.org/.
The writers are the presidents of New River Community College, Virginia Highlands Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College, Wytheville Community College and Mountain Empire Community College.
