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Best Community Colleges in Richmond: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

January 17, 2026

Compare Richmond community colleges with real tuition, earnings, and program data.

Why Community College in Richmond?

Richmond's community colleges offer an affordable launchpad for higher education and career training. With tuition well below four-year university rates and transfer agreements with state universities, the 2+2 path (2 years at CC, 2 at university) can save thousands while putting you on the same career trajectory.

Community Colleges in Richmond

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College (Richmond)

Tuition: $5,136/year | Enrollment: 5,284 | 6-year earnings: $32,102

Nursing ADN graduates earn $54,042/year.

Fortis College-Richmond (Richmond)

Tuition: $14,986/year | Enrollment: 399 | 6-year earnings: $27,043

Nursing ADN graduates earn $70,471/year.

Galen Health Institutes-Richmond (Richmond)

Tuition: $15,860/year | Enrollment: 374 | 6-year earnings: $58,951

Southside College of Health Sciences (Colonial Heights)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 91 | 6-year earnings: $68,419

Nursing ADN graduates earn $75,357/year.

Empire Beauty School-Midlothian (Midlothian)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 87 | 6-year earnings: $20,215

Henrico County-Saint Marys Hospital School of Practical Nursing (Richmond)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 79 | 6-year earnings: $47,111

Another Level Barbering and Cosmetology School (Petersburg)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 77

Empire Beauty School-Richmond (Richmond)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 70 | 6-year earnings: $20,215

How to Choose

Priority	Best Fit
Lowest tuition	J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ($5,136/yr)
Best earnings outcome	Southside College of Health Sciences ($68,419 at 6yrs)
Nursing	Check which schools offer ADN programs with clinical rotations
Transfer	Look for schools with articulation agreements to your target university

Transfer Pathways

Check with your target university for specific transfer agreements. Most Virginia public universities accept credits from in-state community colleges through statewide articulation agreements. Complete your general education core at a CC and transfer as a junior to save significantly on your bachelor's degree.

Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often exceeds full CC tuition
Virginia state grants — check your state's financial aid office for resident programs
Institutional scholarships — many CCs offer merit and need-based scholarships
Workforce development grants — available for high-demand programs like nursing and skilled trades

Next Steps

Compare Richmond community colleges on GradeToGrad — see tuition, programs, and transfer rates.