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Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, Virginia · Public community college
Address: 3094 Colonial Ave, Roanoke, VA 24015 · Phone: (540) 857-8922 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Virginia Western Community College is a public trade/career school in Roanoke, VA offering radiology & sonography, dental hygiene, and HVAC programs, accredited by SACS and program-specific bodies.
Virginia Western Community College has a 40.1% completion rate, below the state average of 57.1%, with median graduate debt of $11,000 and median earnings of $38,787 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Virginia Western Community College; the school participates in Title IV federal aid, and 30.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $60,000 | $80,670 | $95,870 |
| Dental hygienists | $86,730 | $102,950 | $119,690 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $39,760 | $59,730 | $73,440 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $42,520 | $59,180 | $65,400 |
| Electricians | $40,780 | $62,900 | $78,190 |
| Medical records specialists | $37,630 | $53,290 | $64,950 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $43,010 | $63,270 | $77,270 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,580 | $64,920 | $74,540 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,540 | $59,330 | $76,540 |
| Surgical technologists | $47,980 | $67,580 | $84,100 |
| Medical assistants | $37,090 | $44,740 | $46,570 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $36,540 | $45,420 | $50,390 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Virginia (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 29 | $33,345 | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 27 | $55,728 | $61,350 | $9,091 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 25 | $28,539 | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | $27,425 | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | $21,594 | $26,585 | $14,670 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 17 | $49,377 | $48,823 | $12,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 15 | $49,377 | $48,823 | $12,000 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | $37,568 | $19,039 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 9 | $21,466 | $23,649 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 8 | $49,377 | $48,823 | $12,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | $37,568 | $19,039 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Virginia Western Community College is a public community college located in Roanoke, Virginia, in a small-city setting. The school participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for their education. The campus is accredited, with program-specific accreditation from bodies including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, along with regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The campus offers 18 trade and career program families, with the largest enrollment in radiology and sonography programs (47 completers), dental hygiene programs (30 completers), and HVAC schools (29 completers).
Federal data shows a completion rate of 40.1%, which is below the state average of 57.1%. Graduates carry a median debt of $11,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,787. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 30.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of low-income enrollment.
This campus may suit students interested in allied health fields like radiology, dental hygiene, and technical trades like HVAC, though program lengths are not detailed in this data. Adult learners and career changers should independently verify schedules, program length, and format directly with the school. To confirm accreditation status and review the latest outcome data, prospective students can check the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or contact the school directly.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Virginia Western Community College offers 18 trade and career program families, with the largest being radiology & sonography programs (47 completers), dental hygiene programs (30 completers), and HVAC schools (29 completers).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. It holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, plus program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Physical Therapy Association, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can apply for FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal student loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 40.1%, which is below the Virginia state average of 57.1%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $11,000, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,787, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (540) 857-8922 or visit virginiawestern.edu for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public community college, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state and federal funding support.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported in the provided data; prospective students should contact the school directly to confirm program duration for specific tracks like radiology, dental hygiene, or HVAC.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and review detailed outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?233949.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program format or scheduling, so fit for adult career changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school to ask about evening, weekend, or accelerated options.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Virginia Western Community College at (540) 857-8922 or through its website at https://virginiawestern.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This data does not include comparative information on other nearby schools; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.