Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) is a public community college system founded in 1964 and serving Northern Virginia across six campuses in Annandale, Alexandria, Loudoun, Manassas, Woodbridge, and the Medical Education Campus. With approximately 56,500 enrolled students, NOVA is one of the largest community colleges in the United States and a critical gateway to higher education, career credentials, and university transfer for residents of one of the nation's most economically dynamic regions. NOVA's open admissions policy and in-state tuition of $5,891 per year provide an extraordinarily affordable entry point to the Northern Virginia workforce — home to the federal government, defense contractors, cybersecurity firms, and the regional headquarters of major corporations including Amazon Web Services, Volkswagen of America, and Capital One. The college's 10-year median graduate earnings of $45,000 reflect the exceptional wage levels of the Northern Virginia economy. NOVA's student body is one of the most internationally diverse community colleges in the United States, with students from 137 countries comprising approximately 15% of enrollment — a testament to Northern Virginia's position as one of the most culturally diverse regions in America. The college offers over 100 degree and certificate programs in information technology, cybersecurity, healthcare, business, engineering, education, and the liberal arts, with robust transfer pathways to George Mason University and the Virginia Community College System transfer guarantee.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$12410
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $12,409
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
