May 26, 2026
The State Board for Virginia’s Community Colleges voted May 21 to set tuition and mandatory educational and general (E&G) fees for the academic year that begins with the Fall 2026 semester. For in-state students, tuition and mandatory E&G fees will increase $6.70 per credit hour. Out-of-state students will see an increase of $6.70per credit hour. For in-state students pursuing full-time studies (15 credit hours/semester) the 2026-27 tuition and mandatory E&G fees will amount to an increase of $100.50 per semester, or $201.00 per year.
Virginia community college tuition remains less than one-third the cost of attending the state’s public four-year baccalaureate institutions, offering Virginia’s most affordable and accessible pathway to better jobs.
“The State Board wrestled with a tough decision, but it came down to one question—do we increase tuition rates for students or do we offer them less?” State Board Chair Dr. Michael E. Wooten asked. “We believe that we have adopted modest tuition increases that are necessary to fund the capacity to train more people for meaningful jobs while shouldering the cost increases that we all face throughout the Commonwealth.”
Some colleges have tuition differentials and other mandatory fees covering student activities. Auxiliary operations also vary at the community college level. Check individual college websites for locally-relevant information.
Community colleges remain the lowest-funded higher education institutions in Virginia, receiving less than just 52 cents for every one dollar that goes to support a full-time equivalent student at a public Virginia university. Additionally, expenditures per full-time student at Virginia’s Community Colleges are in the 23rd percentile in the nation, meaning 77% of community colleges across the country spend more per student.
A breakdown of Laurel Ridge tuition and fees can be found on the Tuition Rates page.
Additionally, beginning Fall 2026, Virginia’s Community Colleges will introduce new per-credit-hour course fees for select Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in healthcare, skilled trades, and agriculture and natural resources.
These fees are designed to partially offset instructional costs and will be used directly to support program delivery. In an effort to help keep costs down for students, these course fees have been discounted 50% for fall 2026. For more details, visit the VCCS course fees page.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.