Cape Fear Community College vs. Johnston Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC with Johnston Community College in Smithfield, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cape Fear Community College is larger than Johnston Community College based on total student enrollment (14,082 students vs. 5,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cape Fear Community College is located in Wilmington, NC (Midsize City setting); Johnston Community College is in Smithfield, NC (Distant Town setting).
• Cape Fear Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Johnston Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cape Fear Community College 13:1; Johnston Community College 13:1.

Cape Fear Community College vs. Johnston Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cape Fear Community College or Johnston 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 Johnston Community College than Cape Fear Community College ($3,824 vs. $9,900).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cape Fear Community College are 46.2% lower than at Johnston Community College ($7,594 vs. $14,121).
• Johnston Community College is 0.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cape Fear Community College (about $8 more per year; $2,756.00 vs. $2,748.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.1% higher at Johnston Community College than at Cape Fear Community College (about $8 more per year; $8,900.00 vs. $8,892.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johnston Community College than at Cape Fear Community College (76% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johnston Community College students is 50.2% larger than aid received by Cape Fear Community College students ($6,915 vs. $4,603).

Cape Fear Community College vs. Johnston Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cape Fear Community College or Johnston 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 Johnston Community College and Cape Fear Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cape Fear Community College - Open admission; Johnston Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Johnston Community College Aug 13, 2027.

Cape Fear Community College vs. Johnston Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cape Fear Community College and Johnston 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 Cape Fear Community College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Johnston Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($31,100 vs. $30,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Johnston Community College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Cape Fear Community College graduates ($9,500 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Johnston Community College graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cape Fear Community College graduates ($98 vs. $108).
• More Cape Fear Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Johnston Community College students, three years after graduation. (31% vs. 30%)

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.