For the first time in five years, tuition will increase at Virginia’s 23 community colleges in a unanimous vote by the State Board of Community Colleges.
Beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition will rise by 3% or $4.61 per credit hour at schools within Virginia’s Community Colleges (VCCS).
Virginia Peninsula Community College's tuition will be $164.81 per credit hour and $364.91 per credit hour for out of state. The figures include other mandatory fees.
The state board’s decision was based on the impact of mandatory cost increases, including statewide adjustments for compensation and benefits.
The board's move comes after it had delayed a decision since May to wait for the General Assembly to conclude deliberations on the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Since state budget deliberations are ongoing, the state board determined a tuition increase was necessary to ensure continued quality instruction and uninterrupted services to community college students.
“Keeping Virginia’s Community Colleges accessible to Virginians will remain a top priority,” said Dr. David Doré, VCCS chancellor. “We’re grateful for programs like G3 tuition assistance, offered as a last-dollar support to students with a household income generally less than $100,000 and pursuing high-demand career fields, and FastForward, a pay-for-performance program that incentivizes students to complete short-term credential training programs for Virginia’s most in-demand jobs.
“Our community colleges will continue to do everything we can to remain affordable, deliver high-quality instruction, and support Virginians as they pursue better jobs and better lives through postsecondary education and training,” he added.
At about one-third of the comparable tuition at Virginia’s public four-year universities, VCCS schools remain the most affordable pathway to better jobs. The 3% increase does not apply to other mandatory fees, which vary at the community college level.
There were no increases to the tuition differential rates charged at eight community colleges (Brightpoint, Germanna, Northern Virginia, Piedmont Virginia, Reynolds, Tidewater, Virginia Peninsula, and Virginia Western). Tuition differential rates allow colleges to address unique and specific institutional priorities.
Get details about Virginia Peninsula Community College’s tuition and fees at vpcc.edu.