BRCC vs. Fortis College-Norfolk

Comparable Facts

Compare Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave, VA with Fortis College Norfolk in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Blue Ridge Community College is larger than Fortis College-Norfolk based on total student enrollment (3,790 students vs. 399 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blue Ridge Community College is located in Weyers Cave, VA (Distant Rural setting); Fortis College Norfolk is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Blue Ridge Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis College Norfolk is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blue Ridge Community College 21:1; Fortis College Norfolk 19:1.

BRCC vs. Fortis College-Norfolk Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BRCC or Fortis College-Norfolk? 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 Ridge Community College than Fortis College-Norfolk ($14,191 vs. $24,764).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blue Ridge Community College are 43.7% lower than at Fortis College Norfolk ($9,366 vs. $16,650).
• Fortis College Norfolk is 162.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than BRCC (about $9,155 more per year; $14,801.00 vs. $5,646.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at Fortis College-Norfolk than at Blue Ridge Community College (about $2,717 more per year; $14,801.00 vs. $12,084.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fortis College Norfolk than at Blue Ridge Community College (96% vs. 64%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fortis College Norfolk students is 10.5% larger than aid received by Blue Ridge Community College students ($7,241 vs. $6,552).

BRCC vs. Fortis College-Norfolk Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BRCC or Fortis College-Norfolk? 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 Fortis College-Norfolk and BRCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BRCC - Open admission; Fortis College-Norfolk - Open admission.

BRCC vs. Fortis College-Norfolk Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BRCC and Fortis College-Norfolk? 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 Blue Ridge Community College earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Fortis College-Norfolk graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,800 vs. $26,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Blue Ridge Community College graduates have a $1,514 lower median loan debt than Fortis College-Norfolk graduates ($8,500 vs. $10,014).
• Among borrowers, BRCC graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis College-Norfolk graduates ($87 vs. $103).
• More BRCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College-Norfolk students, three years after graduation. (42% 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.