Skip to content
Public, 2-year

Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale, Virginia · www.nvcc.edu

中文

Out-of-state tuition

$12,410

In-state $5,891

Peer median $8,816

Undergraduates

56,457

Student-faculty ratio 31:1

Peer median 18 : 1

Graduation rate

37.3%

Within 150% of normal time; 200%: 42.1%

Peer median 33.7%

“Peers” are all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S. (by Carnegie Classification).

About

Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is one of the largest community colleges in the United States, located in the vibrant Northern Virginia region. Established in 1964, the college has grown to serve over 50,000 students annually across its six campuses. NOVA is known for its strong commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education and training programs that cater to diverse student needs. The college offers a wide array of academic programs, including associate degrees, certificates, and workforce development courses in fields such as health sciences, information technology, business, and liberal arts. This broad range of offerings ensures that students are well-prepared for either transfer to four-year institutions or entry into the workforce.

The college fosters a rich cultural and supportive environment, promoting student engagement and success. NOVA emphasizes the importance of community involvement, encouraging students to partake in various clubs, organizations, and events that enhance their college experience. The college's campus facilities are modern and equipped with advanced technology to facilitate learning. Additionally, NOVA's location in Northern Virginia provides students with unique opportunities for internships and employment, thanks to its proximity to Washington, D.C., and a plethora of local businesses and government agencies. The college prides itself on its diverse student body, which enriches the educational experience and prepares students for a global workplace. With a strong focus on student support services, NOVA aims to empower its graduates, many of whom go on to achieve significant success in their respective fields.

Analysis of Key Metrics at Northern Virginia Community College

Northern Virginia Community College has exhibited notable trends in several critical metrics over the years. One of the most striking observations is the increase in graduation rates. From a mere 7.55% in 2013, the on-time graduation rate for undergraduates has seen a significant rise to approximately 14.91% in 2023. This upward trend reflects the institution's ongoing efforts to enhance student support and academic programs, which is crucial in a competitive educational landscape.

In addition to graduation rates, student retention has fluctuated but maintained a general stability. The retention rate dropped to around 68.96% in 2022 but rebounded to approximately 71.47% in 2023. This indicates that while there may be challenges in retaining students, the college has made improvements to engage and support its student body effectively.

Another critical aspect is the tuition for in-state undergraduate students, which has gradually increased from $4,597 in 2014 to $5,703 in 2024. While this reflects the national trend of rising tuition costs, it also raises questions about accessibility and affordability for potential students, particularly in light of increasing financial burdens on families.

Finally, the gender ratio among undergraduate students has shown a slight shift. The percentage of male undergraduates has gradually decreased from about 48.27% in 2013 to approximately 48.14% in 2023, indicating a steady balance in gender enrollment. This trend is important as it highlights the college's commitment to attracting a diverse student population.

Overall, while Northern Virginia Community College faces challenges such as rising tuition and fluctuating retention rates, the improvements in graduation rates and efforts to maintain gender balance present a positive outlook for the institution's future.

This collegeRanked colleges nearby

Setting
Suburb of a large city
Nearest major city
Washington, DC, about 15 mi
Nearest international airport
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), about 15 mi
Annandale, Virginia
Academic calendar
Semester
Religious affiliation
Not applicable
President
Anne M. Kress, Ph.D. (President)
Phone
7033233000
City
Annandale, Virginia
Address
4001 Wakefield Chapel Rd, Annandale, VA 22003-3796

Degrees & Majors

Graduates in 2025 (first major)

Associate5,435267 international (4.9%)
Top 10 Associate majors by graduates
Business Administration and Management, General
710
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
605
General Studies
578
Information Technology
482
Computer Science
373
Social Sciences, General
256
Psychology, General
230
Engineering, General
223
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
200
Humanities/Humanistic Studies
178

U.S. studentsInternational

Data insights

Analysis of Graduation Data from Northern Virginia Community College

The graduation data from Northern Virginia Community College reveals significant insights into the trends and distribution of degrees across various disciplines in 2023. Notably, the Business Administration and Management program stands out with the highest number of graduates, totaling 803. This reflects the growing demand for business-related skills in today’s job market, where professionals are increasingly needed to navigate complex economic environments.

In contrast, the fields of Applied Horticulture and Visual and Performing Arts show a markedly lower graduation rate, with only 18 and 12 graduates, respectively. This disparity may indicate a limited interest or career opportunities in these areas, suggesting that students may be gravitating towards fields perceived as more lucrative or stable.

Furthermore, the data indicates a modest presence of international students among graduates, particularly in the Business and Information Technology sectors, which collectively account for 18% of total graduates. This highlights the appeal of these programs to international students, potentially due to the global nature of business and technology careers.

Interestingly, many technical and healthcare-related programs, such as Physical Therapy Assistant and Diagnostic Medical Sonography, also show a healthy number of graduates, underscoring the sustained relevance and necessity of healthcare professionals in society.

Overall, this data not only reflects the academic pathways chosen by students but also mirrors broader societal trends regarding employment and economic stability in various fields. As we move forward, it will be crucial for educational institutions to align their offerings with market demands to better prepare graduates for successful careers.

All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard

*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes

Computer and information sciencehas 1598 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Computer and Information Sciences, General.$46,373-$50,830
Information Technology.$46,373-$50,830
Computer Science.$47,900
Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance.$44,138-$51,559
Businesshas 814 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Business Administration and Management, General.$48,966-$60,570
Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other.$48,966-$60,570
Accounting and Related Services, Other.-
Hospitality Administration/Management, General.-
Liberal arts has 756 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
General Studies.$33,190-$38,226
Humanities/Humanistic Studies.$33,190-$38,226
Health professionshas 477 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.-
Dental Hygiene/Hygienist.$87,357
Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician.-
Occupational Therapist Assistant.$52,752
Physical Therapy Assistant.$52,752
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic).$75,234
Respiratory Care Therapy/Therapist.$75,234
Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician.$75,234
Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer.$75,234
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technician.-
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.$81,577
Social sciencehas 256 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Social Sciences, General.$37,212
Visual and Performing artshas 234 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Visual and Performing Arts, General.-
Design and Visual Communications, General.$41,662
Interior Design.$41,662
Film/Cinema/Media Studies.-
Photography.-
Art/Art Studies, General.-
Music, General.-
Psychology has 230 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Psychology, General.$40,523
Engineeringhas 223 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Engineering, General.-
Homeland security has 175 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.-
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.-
Multi/inerdisciplinary studies has 169 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Biological and Physical Sciences.$26,134
Biologyhas 161 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.-
Human science has 70 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Child Care Provider/Assistant.$28,493-$31,449
Mechanic and repair has 65 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician.-
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.$42,866
Educationhas 56 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Education, General.-
Agricultural has 46 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Applied Horticulture/Horticulture Operations, General.-
Veterinary/Animal Health Technology/Technician and Veterinary Assistant.-
Construction trades has 26 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Construction Trades, General.-
Legal professionshas 23 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Legal Assistant/Paralegal.$56,751
Architecture has 23 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Architectural Technology/Technician.-
Engineering technologieshas 17 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General.-
Foreign languages has 15 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Sign Language Interpretation and Translation.-
Science technologies has 1 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Biology/Biotechnology Technology/Technician.-

Students

56,457 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 49:51 · Freshman retention 70.8%

Undergraduate race and ethnicity (56,457)

White
17,058 · 30.2%
Hispanic
13,918 · 24.7%
Asian
9,837 · 17.4%
Black
7,139 · 12.6%
Two or more races
2,972 · 5.3%
Unknown
2,906 · 5.1%
International
2,435 · 4.3%

Age distribution

Bachelor's

Under 18
35.6%
18–19
23.0%
20–21
14.1%
22–24
10.2%
25 and over
17.1%

Data insights

Student Demographics at Northern Virginia Community College in 2023

The student body at Northern Virginia Community College in 2023 reflects a diverse mix of undergraduate newcomers, continuing students, transfer students, and graduate students. The largest group consists of undergraduate newcomers, with 8,738 students enrolled, of whom 52.3% are male and 47.7% are female. This indicates a slightly higher male representation, which is interesting given the overall trend in higher education where female enrollment often surpasses male.

Continuing undergraduate students make up a significant portion of the student body as well, totaling 22,063. This group shows a more balanced gender ratio, with 47.4% male and 52.6% female students, suggesting an increasing trend of female retention in ongoing studies.

Transfer students, while fewer in number at 1,410, also display a predominance of female students at 54.5%, which aligns with trends observed in many institutions where female students tend to transfer at higher rates.

The demographic breakdown of students by race indicates a substantial presence of White students across all categories. However, specific numbers for continuing and transfer students are not available, highlighting a gap in data that could provide deeper insights into the racial diversity of the college.

Overall, the data reflects a college environment that is embracing diversity and gender balance, particularly among undergraduate students. The trends observed at Northern Virginia Community College mirror broader patterns in higher education, where institutions are increasingly recognizing the importance of gender equity and diversity in their student populations.

Analysis of Age Composition at Northern Virginia Community College in 2023

The age distribution data at Northern Virginia Community College reveals significant insights into the student demographic landscape. A striking feature is the overwhelming representation of students under the age of 18, with a total of 15,483 individuals in this category, which accounts for approximately 38.5% of the overall student population. This trend is indicative of the college's appeal to high school graduates and younger students seeking affordable higher education options.

As we progress into older age brackets, there is a noticeable decline in student numbers. For instance, the 18-19 age group comprises 6,680 males and 5,957 females, suggesting that while there is still a strong interest among recent high school graduates, the numbers begin to taper off significantly for students aged 20-21 and beyond. This pattern continues, with only 2,488 students in the 22-24 age range and even fewer in older categories, such as 30-34 (864 males and 1,326 females) and 40-49 (552 males and 1,043 females).

The data also highlights a gender disparity in the student body, especially among the younger cohorts. The total number of female students consistently surpasses that of male students across all age groups, culminating in a total female population of 10,186 compared to 11,793 males. This may reflect broader societal trends in educational attainment, where females increasingly pursue higher education.

Overall, the student age composition at Northern Virginia Community College mirrors national trends, emphasizing the importance of adapting educational offerings to cater to the needs of both young learners and adult learners seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge.

International Students

International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Undergraduates4.3%

2,435 in 2025 · 2.9% in 2016

0% 5% 10% 2016: 2.9%2017: 3.0%2018: 3.7%2019: 3.5%2020: 3.2%2021: 2.6%2022: 2.5%2023: 4.1%2024: 4.3%2025: 4.3%
2016Peer median 0.6%2025

Data insights

Analysis of International Student Enrollment at Northern Virginia Community College

The data on international student enrollment at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) over the years reveals some intriguing trends. Beginning in 2004, the number of international undergraduate students fluctuated, starting with 1,352 students, which constituted 3.55% of the total undergraduate population. However, this percentage experienced a downward trend for several years, reaching its lowest point in 2015 at just 2.59%.

Interestingly, a turning point appears to have occurred in 2018 when the percentage of international students began to rise again, culminating in a significant increase by 2023, where international students accounted for 4.14% of the undergraduate population, the highest percentage recorded in this dataset. This resurgence could be attributed to several factors, including global shifts in educational preferences, increased awareness of NVCC's offerings, and possibly favorable changes in immigration policies that encourage international students to study in the United States.

It is notable that the overall enrollment of undergraduate students at NVCC has generally increased over the years, peaking at 51,896 students in 2023. This growth, alongside the increase in international enrollment, suggests that NVCC is becoming an increasingly attractive option for a diverse student body.

In conclusion, while NVCC has seen fluctuations in its international student numbers over the years, the recent uptick suggests a positive trend that could reflect broader changes in the international education landscape. As global events continue to shape the motivations and opportunities for international students, NVCC may continue to benefit from this evolving dynamic.

Cost

2025 cost per year (out-of-state)

$25,094

Undergrad tuition (out-of-state)
$12,410
Undergraduate tuition (in-state)
$5,891
Room and board
$12,684
Out-of-state tuition and room and board over time

Peer median tuition + room and board $19,938 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Tuition rose 12% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 99%.

Finances · fiscal year 2024

Revenue$423M

Government grants and contracts
$263M62.3%
Tuition and fees
$102M24.1%
Gifts and private grants
$7.7M1.8%
Auxiliary enterprises
$4.6M1.1%
Investment return
$3.0M0.7%
Other
$42.0M9.9%

Expenses$369M

Instruction
$172M46.7%
Institutional support
$65.0M17.6%
Academic support
$42.5M11.5%
Student services
$41.1M11.1%
Scholarships
$34.1M9.2%
Auxiliary enterprises
$3.7M1.0%
Public service
$1.5M0.4%
Other
$8.8M2.4%

Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)

Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

All faculty
$90,309peers $68,588
Professor
$101,713peers $79,972
Associate professor
$92,196peers $69,677
Assistant professor
$81,754peers $62,785
Instructor
$73,319peers $61,593
Lecturer
$46,253peers $51,591

Campus Life

Athletics and varsity athletes NCAA · EADA

No athlete data available for 2025.

No athlete data available for 2024.

2023
NJCAA Division IIMENWOMEN
Soccer31-
Basketball1310
Volleyball-11
Cross Country-5
Other Sports--

Nearby & Safety

Ranked colleges nearby

Data insights

Here are some notable schools surrounding Northern Virginia Community College:

  1. George Mason University - Ranked 105 in the 2024 US News, this public research university is known for its diverse programs and innovative research initiatives.

  2. Georgetown University - With a rank of 22, this prestigious private university in Washington, D.C., is renowned for its strong programs in international relations, law, and business.

  3. American University - Also ranked 105, this private university focuses on public service and international affairs, offering a unique blend of liberal arts and professional programs.

  4. George Washington University - Ranked 67, this private research university is located in the heart of D.C., providing students with numerous opportunities for internships and networking in government and business.

  5. University of Maryland-College Park - Ranked 46, this leading public research university is known for its strong programs in engineering, business, and the sciences.

  6. Johns Hopkins University - With a rank of 9, this prestigious university is acclaimed for its research and programs in medicine, public health, and international studies.

  7. University of Virginia-Main Campus - Ranked 24, this historic institution is known for its rigorous academic programs and vibrant campus life.

These institutions provide a variety of educational opportunities and are well-regarded both nationally and internationally.

Campus safety · incidents per 1,000 students

Peer median 0.4 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Incidents, 2023–2025

Stalking
8
Dating violence
5
Drug arrests
4
Liquor arrests
4
Rape
1
Fondling
1

From the Clery Act campus safety reports schools file, covering on-campus, non-campus and public property.

Data insights

Analysis of Crime Data at Northern Virginia Community College

The crime statistics from Northern Virginia Community College over the past decade reveal a significant downward trend in criminal incidents on campus. In 2013, the average crime rate was 0.99 per 1,000 students, which peaked in 2014 at 1.36 before gradually declining to just 0.03 by 2022. This represents an impressive reduction of over 96% in crime rates within this timeframe.

The most notable declines have been in serious offenses such as gun-related arrests and assaults, which have shown a marked decrease. The data indicates that most incidents reported in recent years involved minor violations, primarily related to gun offenses, with no reports of violent crimes like rape or murder in the last few years, suggesting a positive shift in campus safety.

This trend is particularly encouraging, especially in the context of national concerns regarding campus safety and crime rates in educational institutions. The improvement may be attributed to enhanced security measures, community engagement initiatives, and ongoing awareness campaigns aimed at preventing crime.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to reduced campus activity, might have also contributed to the drop in crime rates observed in 2020 and 2021. As students returned to campus, maintaining this low crime rate will require continuous vigilance and proactive measures from both the college administration and the student body.

In conclusion, the data from Northern Virginia Community College reflects a commendable effort towards creating a safer educational environment, which is crucial for fostering academic success and student well-being. For more information on calculating crime rates, please refer to this link: Crime Rate Calculation.

Notable Alumni

Notable alumni of Northern Virginia Community College include Ashley Wagner (Figure skater, 2016 World silver medalist), Nyla Rose (Professional wrestler and AEW Women's World Champion) and Raeda Hamra (Arab American journalist).

References and Data Sources

Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.