Laurel Ridge Community College vs. MECC

Laurel Ridge Community College and Mountain Empire Community College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Laurel Ridge Community College
Mountain Empire Community College

At a glance

  • Cheaper after aid: Laurel Ridge Community College. Average net price is $6,411 vs $9,210 at MECC.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Laurel Ridge Community College $34,600 vs MECC $27,300 (median).
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Key differences

Laurel Ridge Community College Mountain Empire Community College
Acceptance rate
Laurel Ridge Community College-
MECC-
SAT range (middle 50%)
Laurel Ridge Community College-
MECC-
Average net price
Laurel Ridge Community College $2,799 less
Laurel Ridge Community College$6,411
MECC$9,210
In-state tuition
MECC $65 less
Laurel Ridge Community College$5,072
MECC$5,007
Out-of-state tuition
MECC $65 less
Laurel Ridge Community College$11,510
MECC$11,445
Graduation rate
Laurel Ridge Community College-
MECC-
Median earnings (10 years)
Laurel Ridge Community College +$7,300
Laurel Ridge Community College$34,600
MECC$27,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Laurel Ridge Community College -
  • MECC -
  • Admitted
  • Laurel Ridge Community College -
  • MECC -
  • Acceptance rate
  • Laurel Ridge Community College Open
  • MECC Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Laurel Ridge Community College Open
  • MECC Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • Laurel Ridge Community College
  • MECC
  • Typical ACT score
  • Laurel Ridge Community College
  • MECC
  • Average high school GPA
  • Laurel Ridge Community College -
  • MECC -
  • Typical high school grades
  • Laurel Ridge Community College -
  • MECC -
  • Admissions standards
  • Laurel Ridge Community College Unavailable
  • MECC Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • Laurel Ridge Community College
  • MECC
  • SAT range
  • Laurel Ridge Community College
  • MECC
  • ACT range
  • Laurel Ridge Community College
  • MECC
  • Submit test scores
  • Laurel Ridge Community College Open admission
  • MECC Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • Laurel Ridge Community College Jul 27, 2027
  • MECC
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Laurel Ridge Community College $5,072
  • MECC $5,007
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Laurel Ridge Community College $11,510
  • MECC $11,445
  • Room & board
  • Laurel Ridge Community College $9,970
  • MECC $6,030
  • Average net price
  • Laurel Ridge Community College $6,411
  • MECC $9,210
  • Average grant aid
  • Laurel Ridge Community College $5,563
  • MECC $6,096
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Laurel Ridge Community College 48%
  • MECC 93%
  • Graduation rate
  • Laurel Ridge Community College -
  • MECC -
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Laurel Ridge Community College $34,600
  • MECC $27,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Laurel Ridge Community College 43%
  • MECC -
  • Median student loan debt
  • Laurel Ridge Community College $7,625
  • MECC N/A
  • Median loan payment
  • Laurel Ridge Community College $78
  • MECC N/A
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Laurel Ridge Community College 28:1
  • MECC 22:1
  • Popular majors
  • Laurel Ridge Community College
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (68%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Business (6%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (2%)
    • Engineering Technology (2%)
  • MECC
    • Health Professions (47%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (16%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (3%)
  • Location
  • Laurel Ridge Community College Middletown, VA
  • MECC Big Stone Gap, VA
  • Setting
  • Laurel Ridge Community College Rural Fringe
  • MECC Rural Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • Laurel Ridge Community College 5,902
  • MECC 2,116
  • Type
  • Laurel Ridge Community College Public 2 Year
  • MECC Public 2 Year
  • National ranking
  • Laurel Ridge Community College
  • MECC

Comparable Facts

Compare Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown, VA with Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Laurel Ridge Community College is larger than MECC based on total student enrollment (5,902 students vs. 2,116 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Laurel Ridge Community College is located in Middletown, VA (Rural Fringe setting); Mountain Empire Community College is in Big Stone Gap, VA (Rural Fringe setting).
  • Laurel Ridge Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Mountain Empire Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Laurel Ridge Community College 28:1; Mountain Empire Community College 22:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mountain Empire Community College are 39.5% lower than at Laurel Ridge Community College ($6,030 vs. $9,970).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Laurel Ridge Community College than at Mountain Empire Community College (about $65 more per year; $11,510 vs. $11,445).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mountain Empire Community College than at Laurel Ridge Community College (93% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Mountain Empire Community College students is 9.6% larger than aid received by Laurel Ridge Community College students ($6,096 vs. $5,563).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are open admission at both Laurel Ridge Community College and MECC.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Laurel Ridge Community College Jul 27, 2027.

Loans and repayment

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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