Central Alabama Community College vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham

Comparable Facts

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

Central Alabama Community College is larger than Fortis Institute-Birmingham based on total student enrollment (2,140 students vs. 613 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Alabama Community College is located in Alexander City, AL (Rural Fringe setting); Fortis Institute Birmingham is in Birmingham, AL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Alabama Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis Institute Birmingham is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Alabama Community College 16:1; Fortis Institute Birmingham 30:1.

Central Alabama Community College vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Alabama Community College or Fortis Institute-Birmingham? 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 Central Alabama Community College than Fortis Institute-Birmingham ($16,072 vs. $25,960).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fortis Institute Birmingham are 21.8% lower than at Central Alabama Community College ($10,800 vs. $13,804).
• Fortis Institute Birmingham is 200.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Alabama Community College (about $10,225 more per year; $15,335.00 vs. $5,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.8% higher at Fortis Institute-Birmingham than at Central Alabama Community College (about $6,355 more per year; $15,335.00 vs. $8,980.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fortis Institute Birmingham than at Central Alabama Community College (84% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fortis Institute Birmingham students is 7.3% larger than aid received by Central Alabama Community College students ($7,468 vs. $6,961).

Central Alabama Community College vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Alabama Community College or Fortis Institute-Birmingham? 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 Institute-Birmingham and Central Alabama Community College.

• Central Alabama Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Alabama Community College - Open admission; Fortis Institute-Birmingham - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Alabama Community College Aug 1, 2027.

Central Alabama Community College vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Alabama Community College and Fortis Institute-Birmingham? 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 $4,100 more per year than Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,900 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Alabama Community College graduates have a $3,240 lower median loan debt than Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates ($9,388 vs. $12,628).
• Among borrowers, Central Alabama Community College graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates ($97 vs. $130).
• More Central Alabama Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis Institute-Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (26% vs. 19%)

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.