Mountain Empire Community College

Mountain Empire Community College is a public, two-year institution located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, in a distant town setting. The college enrolls 2,631 students (IPEDS 2023) and holds a quality score of 49.83 out of 100. Its completion rate is 53% (IPEDS 2023), with a retention rate of 70% (IPEDS 2023).

The college provides a wide array of certificate programs including Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology; Industrial Technology; CAD/CADD Drafting and Design Technology; Welding Technology; Health Information/Medical Records Technology; Respiratory Care Therapy; Registered Nursing; Environmental Control Technologies; Industrial Production Technologies; Heating/Air Conditioning/Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology; Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic); and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training. Programs are offered at both one-to-two-year and two-to-four-year certificate levels.

Located in the coalfield region of far southwest Virginia, Mountain Empire Community College serves a rural population with technical and healthcare workforce training. Its broad program catalog addresses workforce needs across healthcare, engineering technology, and skilled trades in the region.