Blue Ridge CC vs New River Community College

Blue Ridge Community College and New River Community College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Virginia, offer diverse educational opportunities to students seeking a solid foundation for their academic and professional pursuits. While they share a commitment to excellence, these colleges exhibit distinct characteristics that cater to different student needs and aspirations. Blue Ridge, with its higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, provides a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. New River, known for its rigorous academic programs and smaller class sizes, fosters a more intimate and personalized learning experience. Explore the comprehensive comparison table to delve into the details of each college's acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, and make an informed decision that aligns with your unique educational goals and preferences.

	Blue Ridge Community College	New River Community College
Overview
Location	Weyers Cave, Virginia	Dublin, Virginia
Campus setting	Rural: Fringe	Town: Fringe
College type	2 year	2 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	61.0%	59.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	Open Admission
Application fees
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required	Not required
High school GPA	N/A	N/A
Recommendation letters	N/A	N/A
High school transcript	N/A	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,995 Out of state: $29,998	In state: $18,717 Out of state: $24,719
Average net price	$9,182	$6,730
Tuition	In state: $4,620 Out of state: $9,918	In state: $4,620 Out of state: $9,918
Room & board
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	61.0% Average amount $5,895	54.0% Average amount $5,028
Students receiving federal student loan	8.0% Average amount $4,748	3.0% Average amount $4,395
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $5,334	2.0% Average amount $5,029

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,386 Men 38.4% Women 61.6%	3,903 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	1.0%	1.6%
International students	0.9%	1.1%
Campus local/setting	Rural: Fringe	Town: Fringe
Dormitory capacity	N/A	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Virginia Pennsylvania Florida Maryland Nevada	Virginia West Virginia Florida North Carolina South Carolina

Academics
Popular study areas	Liberal Arts Health Professions Business Agriculture Automotive Technology	Liberal Arts Health Professions Engineering Technologies Business Automotive Technology
Students to faculty ratio	20:1	28:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	32.6%	41.6%
Dropout rate	52.1%	42.0%
Transferred out	7.1%	9.0%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $55,606 Year 2: $49,883 Year 3: $47,113 Ground Transportation (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $39,009 Year 3: $36,462 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $33,993 Year 3: $36,082 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $32,795 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $35,140 Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $29,685 Year 3: $33,735 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $18,766 Year 2: $22,485 Year 3: $31,560 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $28,357 Year 2: $28,443 Year 3: $30,949 Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $34,562 Year 3: N/A Biological and Physical Sciences (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $30,467 Year 2: $26,739 Year 3: N/A Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: N/A	Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $56,917 Year 2: $57,995 Year 3: $66,020 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $51,869 Year 2: $50,161 Year 3: $49,966 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $22,602 Year 2: $41,025 Year 3: $34,908 Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $31,371 Year 2: $28,960 Year 3: $29,883 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $22,112 Year 2: $21,508 Year 3: $29,624 Business Operations Support and Assistant Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $20,795 Year 2: $23,456 Year 3: $24,044 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $32,569 Year 3: N/A Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $53,023 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $28,236 Year 3: N/A Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $35,060 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Blue Ridge Community College (BRCC) and New River Community College (NRCC)?

While both BRCC and NRCC are excellent community colleges in Virginia, they differ primarily in location and specific program offerings. BRCC serves the northern Shenandoah Valley, focusing on areas like healthcare and advanced manufacturing, while NRCC serves the New River Valley, with strengths in trades, technologies, and transfer programs to four-year universities in Southwest Virginia. Consider your location and desired program when choosing.
Where are Blue Ridge Community College and New River Community College located?

Blue Ridge Community College is located in Weyers Cave, Virginia, serving the northern Shenandoah Valley region. New River Community College is located in Dublin, Virginia, serving the New River Valley region of Southwest Virginia.
Which college is better for healthcare programs: Blue Ridge Community College or New River Community College?

Blue Ridge Community College is generally recognized for its strong healthcare programs, including nursing, medical assisting, and related fields. While NRCC also offers healthcare programs, BRCC's offerings are often more extensive and specialized. However, it's best to compare the specific programs you're interested in at both colleges.
Does either college offer online courses?

Yes, both Blue Ridge Community College and New River Community College offer a variety of online courses. The availability of specific courses online may vary between the colleges and semesters, so check their respective websites for the most up-to-date information.
Which college is better for students planning to transfer to a four-year university?

Both BRCC and NRCC offer strong transfer programs designed to help students seamlessly transition to four-year universities. NRCC has established transfer agreements with many universities in Southwest Virginia. BRCC also has transfer agreements with many Virginia universities. The 'better' choice depends on the specific university you plan to attend and the transfer agreements each community college has with that university. Research the transfer pathways for your desired major at both colleges.
What types of financial aid are available at Blue Ridge Community College and New River Community College?

Both BRCC and NRCC offer a range of financial aid options, including federal grants (like Pell Grants), state grants, scholarships, and student loans. You'll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility. Both colleges also offer institutional scholarships, so check their websites for specific opportunities and deadlines.
How do the tuition costs compare between Blue Ridge Community College and New River Community College?

Tuition costs at Virginia's community colleges are generally similar. However, there might be slight variations. The most accurate and up-to-date tuition information can be found on the official websites of Blue Ridge Community College and New River Community College. Remember to factor in additional costs like fees, books, and supplies.
Which college is known for its programs in trades and technologies?

New River Community College has a strong reputation for its programs in trades and technologies, including welding, automotive technology, and information technology. While BRCC also offers some technology-related programs, NRCC's offerings in this area are often more extensive.
Do Blue Ridge Community College and New River Community College offer student housing?

No, neither Blue Ridge Community College nor New River Community College offers on-campus student housing. Students typically commute from home or find off-campus housing in the surrounding communities.
How can I learn more about specific programs at each college?

The best way to learn more about specific programs is to visit the websites of Blue Ridge Community College (www.brcc.edu) and New River Community College (www.nr.edu). You can also contact their admissions offices directly to speak with an advisor who can answer your questions and provide more detailed information.

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