Mountain Empire Community College

In 2019, tuition for full-time students at MECC was $3,780 a year for in-state students and $8,582 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams seem daunting, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Mountain Empire Community College meets 98% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Mountain Empire Community College is around $5,856 a year.

Mountain Empire Community College: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

Mountain Empire Community College is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $3,780 for in-state students who attend full-time.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a college where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save on the total cost of attending college. Be sure to check your state's eligibility criteria for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other Virginia colleges

Is Mountain Empire Community College's Tuition Different for International Students?

Mountain Empire Community College has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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Mountain Empire Community College Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Mountain Empire Community College.

House and Food Costs at Mountain Empire Community College

Mountain Empire Community College does not offer on-campus housing for students, so there is no cost for housing, however students should consider other housing costs when evaluating the actual cost of various schools

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Mountain Empire Community College?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have ways so that those with financial need to get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city may be costly, but there may be more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Mountain Empire Community Collegeis in a rural area in Virginia.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to factor in the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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Financial Breakdown for Mountain Empire Community College

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Mountain Empire Community College.

How Much Does Mountain Empire Community College Cost?

What will the cost of attending Mountain Empire Community College be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$3,780
Out-of-State Tuition	$8,582

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Mountain Empire Community College

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In 2023, 698 of the 2,924 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Mountain Empire Community College meets 98% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $5,856 a year.

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Mountain Empire Community College financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Mountain Empire Community College

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Mountain Empire Community College awarded 695 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $5.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $740,000 in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Mountain Empire Community College

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Mountain Empire Community College students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Mountain Empire Community College was $5,856 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Mountain Empire Community College seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-7,932
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-2,076
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$2,726.4

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Mountain Empire Community College really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Mountain Empire Community College's net cost calculator on their website.

Mountain Empire Community College Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Mountain Empire Community College offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

MECC Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Mountain Empire Community College's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Mountain Empire Community College's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Mountain Empire Community College

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