BC3 vs. Northampton Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Butler County Community College in Butler, PA with Northampton County Area Community College in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northampton County Area Community College is larger than BC3 based on total student enrollment (8,810 students vs. 2,317 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Butler County Community College is located in Butler, PA (Distant Town setting); Northampton County Area Community College is in Bethlehem, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Butler County Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northampton County Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Butler County Community College 12:1; Northampton County Area Community College 19:1.

BC3 vs. Northampton Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, BC3 or Northampton 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 Butler County Community College than Northampton Community College ($5,792 vs. $11,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Butler County Community College are 44.3% lower than at Northampton County Area Community College ($6,000 vs. $10,770).
• Northampton County Area Community College is 26.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than BC3 (about $2,370 more per year; $11,370.00 vs. $9,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.2% higher at Northampton Community College than at Butler County Community College (about $3,270 more per year; $15,270.00 vs. $12,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northampton County Area Community College than at Butler County Community College (65% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Butler County Community College students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Northampton County Area Community College students ($6,931 vs. $6,528).

BC3 vs. Northampton Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, BC3 or Northampton 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 Northampton Community College and BC3.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: BC3 - Open admission; Northampton Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: BC3 Aug 15, 2027; Northampton Community College Sep 4, 2026.

BC3 vs. Northampton Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for BC3 and Northampton 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 Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than BC3 graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,300 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Butler County Community College graduates have a $4,345 lower median loan debt than Northampton Community College graduates ($8,655 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, BC3 graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northampton Community College graduates ($89 vs. $134).
• More BC3 graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northampton Community College students, three years after graduation. (53% vs. 44%)

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.