Virginia's 23 community colleges serve 218,985 students with affordable degrees, certificates, and workforce training.
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) is a public university system established in 1966 that oversees 23 community colleges serving residents throughout Virginia. The system enrolls 218,985 students on a headcount basis (95,592 FTE) and serves an additional 170,000 students in workforce development services and noncredit courses. VCCS institutions are distributed across the state, with Northern Virginia Community College being the largest by enrollment at 49,559 students.
VCCS colleges offer college credit programs leading to associate degrees, online programs, high school dual enrollment options, and transfer agreements with four-year institutions through the Transfer Virginia initiative. The system provides pathways in technical and transfer associate degrees, with statewide transfer agreements facilitating student progression. Programs span diverse disciplines including information technology, health sciences, skilled trades, and business.
FastForward is a flagship workforce program offering short-term training courses in high-demand fields, with the system covering two-thirds of tuition for qualifying Virginia residents. The system also awards credit for military experience, industry certifications, professional licensure, and prior academic learning through the Credits2Careers program. G3 is a last-dollar scholarship for students with family income under $100,000.
VCCS emphasizes affordability through multiple support mechanisms including tuition assistance for veterans and active-duty military, transfer grants, and financial aid programs. The system provides cost calculators and financial assistance information to help students understand and manage education expenses across all 23 colleges.