Central Virginia Community College vs. Tidewater Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Virginia Community College in Lynchburg, VA with Tidewater Community College in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tidewater Community College is larger than Central Virginia Community College based on total student enrollment (16,884 students vs. 3,481 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Virginia Community College is located in Lynchburg, VA (Small City setting); Tidewater Community College is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Central Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Tidewater Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Virginia Community College 18:1; Tidewater Community College 22:1.

Central Virginia Community College vs. Tidewater Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Virginia Community College or Tidewater 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 Central Virginia Community College than Tidewater Community College ($6,827 vs. $11,876).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Virginia Community College are 22.1% lower than at Tidewater Community College ($12,039 vs. $15,452).
• Tidewater Community College is 8.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Virginia Community College (about $431 more per year; $5,588.00 vs. $5,157.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at Tidewater Community College than at Central Virginia Community College (about $701 more per year; $12,296.00 vs. $11,595.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Virginia Community College than at Tidewater Community College (72% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tidewater Community College students is 35.9% larger than aid received by Central Virginia Community College students ($7,648 vs. $5,628).

Central Virginia Community College vs. Tidewater Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Virginia Community College or Tidewater 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 Tidewater Community College and Central Virginia Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Virginia Community College - Open admission; Tidewater Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Central Virginia Community College Jul 30, 2027.

Central Virginia Community College vs. Tidewater Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Virginia Community College and Tidewater 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 Tidewater Community College earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than Central Virginia Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,300 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Central Virginia Community College graduates have a $3,928 lower median loan debt than Tidewater Community College graduates ($5,572 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Central Virginia Community College graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tidewater Community College graduates ($57 vs. $98).
• More Central Virginia Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tidewater Community College students, three years after graduation. (48% vs. 32%)

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.