Blue Cliff College-Metairie vs. River Parishes Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Blue Cliff College Metairie in Metairie, LA with River Parishes Community College in Gonzales, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

River Parishes Community College is larger than Blue Cliff College-Metairie based on total student enrollment (2,597 students vs. 291 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blue Cliff College Metairie is located in Metairie, LA (Midsize City setting); River Parishes Community College is in Gonzales, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Blue Cliff College Metairie is a private, for-profit 2-year institution. River Parishes Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blue Cliff College Metairie 22:1; River Parishes Community College 24:1.

Blue Cliff College-Metairie vs. River Parishes Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blue Cliff College-Metairie or River Parishes Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Blue Cliff College Metairie than River Parishes Community College ($9,863 vs. $10,582).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blue Cliff College Metairie are 26.8% lower than at River Parishes Community College ($8,642 vs. $11,802).
• Blue Cliff College Metairie is 305.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than River Parishes Community College (about $12,470 more per year; $16,549.00 vs. $4,079.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 305.7% higher at Blue Cliff College-Metairie than at River Parishes Community College (about $12,470 more per year; $16,549.00 vs. $4,079.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at River Parishes Community College than at Blue Cliff College Metairie (83% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blue Cliff College Metairie students is 8.4% larger than aid received by River Parishes Community College students ($5,832 vs. $5,382).

Blue Cliff College-Metairie vs. River Parishes Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blue Cliff College-Metairie or River Parishes Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between River Parishes Community College and Blue Cliff College-Metairie.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blue Cliff College-Metairie - Open admission; River Parishes Community College - Open admission.

Blue Cliff College-Metairie vs. River Parishes Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blue Cliff College-Metairie and River Parishes Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from River Parishes Community College earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Blue Cliff College-Metairie graduates about ten years after starting college ($31,900 vs. $25,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blue Cliff College Metairie graduates have a $2,485 lower median loan debt than River Parishes Community College graduates ($9,515 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Blue Cliff College-Metairie graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than River Parishes Community College graduates ($98 vs. $124).
• More River Parishes Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Blue Cliff College-Metairie students, three years after graduation. (24% vs. 20%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.