About Laurel Ridge Community College
Laurel Ridge Community College is a two-year public school located in Middletown, Virginia. Formerly known as Lord Fairfax Community College, Laurel Ridge was founded in 1970 and operates three campuses: Fauquier Campus, Middletown Campus, and Luray-Page County Center.
Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 certificates of completion and associate’s degrees in areas such as administrative support, business, engineering, fine arts, information systems technology, and healthcare. Classes are offered during the daytime, evening, and weekend.
Laurel Ridge Community College offers online courses and some degrees can be earned completely online. There are online transfer programs to over 30 4-year colleges and universities. Tuition and fees are a fraction of the cost of comparable to public universities. Experienced and professional faculty bring unique perspectives and discussions to the classroom. Prospective students living outside Virginia interested in programs that require internships, clinicals, or licensure upon graduation should check with their states regarding any special limitations on allowable online courses.
Accreditation & Licensing
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by:
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Type:
2-year, PublicHighest Level Offered:
Associate's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 7,789 ; Graduate: Not applicablePercent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 28% ; Graduate: Not applicableGraduation Rate:
45%Transfer Rate:
15%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$41,000Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$9,750Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
26%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$4,361Credit for Military Training:
YesOnline Programs offered by Laurel Ridge Community College
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Business
Education
Laurel Ridge Community College is a strong place to start if you plan to transfer. Many students use it to earn an A.S. degree while working part time. That path can lower debt and keep a bachelor’s goal within reach.
Cost is a big strength here. Tuition is affordable, and that helps students move forward without heavy borrowing. Graduation timing can vary when required classes are full or offered later than planned. Students tend to finish best when their course plan stays on track from term to term.
At Laurel Ridge Community College, support is part of everyday school life. Staff and professors are known for being friendly and helpful. Advising gets strong praise, and students often call out staff by name for real help. Tutoring and library services are practical and easy to use when classes get busy.
Support goes beyond classwork too. The college offers a food pantry, fairs, clubs, and free-food events that help students stay on track. This creates a hands-on support culture, not just kind words. Some school processes can still feel uneven, especially with administration and access to required classes.
Laurel Ridge offers many online classes and evening options. That schedule helps working adults keep school moving. Online classes are a common part of the path. Evening sections add more room to plan each term.
The format can feel less connected in person. Schedule patterns can spread students out across times. That lowers face-to-face interaction for some learners. Overall, the school fits people who need flexible pace and timing.
Classes at Laurel Ridge are generally people-centered. Professors are often approachable, helpful, and accommodating. Small class sizes support more personalized learning. That teaching style can make it easier to stay engaged and get help before problems grow.
Workload expectations can shift by course design. In at least one math class, exam weighting was heavy enough that chapter work and quizzes did not offset two poor tests. So class experience is positive overall, but pacing and grading structure can vary across courses. Course access timing also affects how smoothly students move through classes.
Laurel Ridge Community College is a practical, low-cost place to start a degree and transfer. Many students choose it to save money and keep debt low. The school also works well for people with jobs or family duties.
Faculty and staff are friendly and helpful. Tutoring and library support are easy to use. Online and evening classes give students more ways to fit school into a busy week.
Course planning can take care. Some required classes are not offered when students need them. That can add time before graduation. In some classes, exams count more than daily assignments, so test performance matters a lot.
Laurel Ridge Community College is a practical, low-cost place to start a degree and transfer. Many students choose it to save money and keep debt low. The school also works well for people with jobs or family duties.
Faculty and staff are friendly and helpful. Tutoring and library support are easy to use. Online and evening classes give students more ways to fit school into a busy week.
Course planning can take care. Some required classes are not offered when students need them. That can add time before graduation. In some classes, exams count more than daily assignments, so test performance matters a lot.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laurel Ridge Community College
Is Laurel Ridge Community College accredited?
Yes. Laurel Ridge Community College is institutionally accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How many online programs does Laurel Ridge Community College offer?
Laurel Ridge Community College offers 8 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Laurel Ridge Community College offer?
Laurel Ridge Community College offers associate-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Laurel Ridge Community College?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Laurel Ridge Community College expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Laurel Ridge Community College falls into GetEducated’s $$ tuition tier, which points to a mid tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Laurel Ridge Community College?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Laurel Ridge Community College first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
Is Laurel Ridge Community College military friendly?
Laurel Ridge Community College does not show Yellow Ribbon support. If military benefits matter for your plan, check current military options before you apply.
How can students request information from Laurel Ridge Community College through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Laurel Ridge Community College applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official High School Transcript/GED Score. Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Laurel Ridge Community College accept life experience credit?
Laurel Ridge Community College does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Laurel Ridge Community College programs fully online or mixed?
Laurel Ridge Community College programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Laurel Ridge Community College offer?
Laurel Ridge Community College has online program options in areas such as Art & Liberal Arts, Business, Education, and Healthcare; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Do any Laurel Ridge Community College programs have specialized accreditation?
Program-specific accreditors include Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM).
Are any admission tests required for Laurel Ridge Community College programs?
One recurring admissions-test item is Placement Test. Students should confirm whether it applies to their specific program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Laurel Ridge Community College?
Some programs show different in-state and out-of-state tuition totals, so check your specific program cost.
Do any Laurel Ridge Community College programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Laurel Ridge Community College?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Laurel Ridge Community College, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Laurel Ridge Community College programs?
Working adults should confirm program format, total cost, timeline, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a Laurel Ridge Community College program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
Laurel Ridge Community College is featured in 4 of our ranking reports!
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Geographic and Educational Overview
Laurel Ridge Community College is located in Virginia
Virginia at a Glance:
Top Majors in Virginia:
Top Incentives in Virginia:
- Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant: Up to $4,000 annually
Top Career Pathways in Virginia:
- Entry Level: Security Analyst ($80,000)
- Mid Level: Security Engineer ($120,000)
- Senior Level: Security Director ($175,000+)
- Required Education: BS Cybersecurity
- Certifications: Security+, CISSP