Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Big Stone Gap, Virginia
Mountain Empire Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$14,516Annual Cost
$32,622Grad Salary
41.5%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$7,226
Need-Based Aid
41.5% receive Pell
Mountain Empire Community College, founded in 1972 in Virginia, specializes in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology.
MECC is unranked but essential to southwest Virginia's economy. Its programs address regional workforce demands in healthcare and technology sectors.
Mountain Empire Community College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Mountain Empire Community College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Mountain Empire Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mountain Empire Community College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
MECC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at MECC
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Mountain Empire Community College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at MECC — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into MECC Without SAT or ACT?
MECC's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for MECC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
MECC provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Consider the Coal Mine EMT certification if you're in the regional coal industry
MECC offers a certification specifically authorizing emergency care provision in the coal mining industry as required by Virginia Coal Mine Safety Laws, alongside MSHA-required surface and underground coal miner certifications and diesel engine maintenance recertification for underground mines - genuinely niche, regionally-specific workforce credentials tied to Southwest Virginia's coal economy. If you or a family member works in or near the coal industry, these certifications represent a direct, region-specific employment pathway most students researching MECC generically would never encounter.
Check VCEDA funding eligibility if you live in the Coalfield Region
The Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) will pay the first third of approved classes for Virginia residents (domiciled 12+ months) living in Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan, Russell, or Tazewell counties or the City of Norton - a real, named regional funding source layered on top of standard financial aid. If you live in one of these specific counties, contact MECC's workforce solutions office about VCEDA funding before assuming your only options are FAFSA-based aid.
Choose your nursing track based on your background, not a single generic application
MECC offers multiple nursing entry tracks - a traditional two-year AAS (Track 1), an Advanced Placement option for LPN Transition (Track 2), and a part-time evening/weekend LPN-to-RN Bridge (Track 4) - each with its own eligibility path. If you're a working LPN needing a flexible schedule, apply specifically to Track 4 rather than the traditional Track 1, since the part-time structure is built for exactly that situation.
Target the TEAS National Percentile Rank specifically - it's not a raw score
MECC's nursing ranking uses your ATI TEAS National Percentile Rank (minimum 45, within the past 5 years) rather than a raw or composite score threshold - a distinction that matters because your percentile reflects how you compare to a national test-taking population, not a fixed point total. Confirm your percentile rank specifically (not just your raw score) meets or exceeds 45 before applying, and note that ranking for actual admission is also based on this percentile, so higher percentiles meaningfully improve your competitive position.
Expert Insight:
A specific and easy-to-miss detail in MECC's nursing program is the two-attempt limit on first-semester nursing (NSG) courses - a student who is unsuccessful twice in the first-semester coursework becomes ineligible for admission consideration unless they obtain special permission from the nursing program coordinator, making early academic support in that first semester critical rather than something to address only if problems arise.
MECC Profile
Full Name
Mountain Empire Community College (MECC)
City
Big Stone Gap
State
Virginia
ZIP Code
24219
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a MECC Degree Worth It?
At $14,516/year against a $32,622 median graduate salary, MECC is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $35,600, and graduates see a 3.54% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from MECC Cost?
Listed tuition runs $14,516/year at MECC; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $7,226.
At MECC, 41.5% receive a Pell Grant and % carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming MECC on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a MECC Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, MECC graduates report a median income of $32,622, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at MECC
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About MECC Admissions
Mountain Empire Community College graduates earn a lower median salary of $32,622/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Mountain Empire Community College is relatively affordable, around $14,516/year.
41.5% of Mountain Empire Community College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Mountain Empire Community College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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