Central Alabama Community College vs. Northwest Shoals Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City, AL with Northwest Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, AL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwest Shoals Community College is larger than Central Alabama Community College based on total student enrollment (4,665 students vs. 2,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Alabama Community College is located in Alexander City, AL (Rural Fringe setting); Northwest Shoals Community College is in Muscle Shoals, AL (Small City setting).
• Central Alabama Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northwest Shoals Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Alabama Community College 16:1; Northwest Shoals Community College 18:1.

Central Alabama Community College vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Alabama Community College or Northwest Shoals 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 Northwest Shoals Community College than Central Alabama Community College ($3,054 vs. $16,072).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Shoals Community College are 27.6% lower than at Central Alabama Community College ($10,000 vs. $13,804).
• Northwest Shoals Community College is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Alabama Community College (about $21 more per year; $5,131.00 vs. $5,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.2% higher at Northwest Shoals Community College than at Central Alabama Community College (about $21 more per year; $9,001.00 vs. $8,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Alabama Community College than at Northwest Shoals Community College (82% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Shoals Community College students is 16.2% larger than aid received by Central Alabama Community College students ($8,090 vs. $6,961).

Central Alabama Community College vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Alabama Community College or Northwest Shoals 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 Northwest Shoals Community College and Central Alabama Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Alabama Community College - Open admission; Northwest Shoals Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Alabama Community College Aug 1, 2027.

Central Alabama Community College vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Alabama Community College and Northwest Shoals 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 Central Alabama Community College earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,900 vs. $29,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Alabama Community College graduates have a $1,612 lower median loan debt than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates ($9,388 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, Central Alabama Community College graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates ($97 vs. $113).
• More Northwest Shoals Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Alabama Community College students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 26%)

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.