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Virginia Western Community College

Roanoke, Virginia · Public community college

Radiology & sonography programsDental hygiene programsHVAC schoolsWelding schoolsElectrician schoolsMedical billing & coding programsCulinary & pastry schoolsLPN / LVN programsAuto mechanic schoolsSurgical technologist programsMedical assistant programsEMT & paramedic training
40%completion rate · Virginia avg 57%
$11,000median debt of graduates
$33,847median earnings, 6 yrs after entry
$38,787median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
not reportedannual cost of attendance
Yesfederal aid (FAFSA / Pell) eligible
Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing | American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation | American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Edu | Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (Accredited)
Address: 3094 Colonial Ave, Roanoke, VA 24015 · Phone: (540) 857-8922 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Accountability record (federal accreditation database, last 36 months; Department of Education oversight)
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Sanctions are probation, warning, show-cause and loss-of-accreditation actions by any recognized accreditor, including program-specific accreditors (a nursing-program probation counts for the campus). Routine monitoring reviews and voluntary withdrawals are not counted. Ask the school what the action concerned and how it was resolved.
Completion rate vs. benchmarks
Virginia Western Comm… Virginia Western Comm…: 40.1% 40.1% Virginia average Virginia average: 57.1% 57.1% National average National average: 62.1% 62.1%

What these trades pay once you're working

OccupationStarting (10th pct)MedianExperienced (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

ProgramCredentialGrads / yrEarnings, yr 1Earnings, yr 2Median 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.

Visit the school's website ↗

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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.

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