CVCC vs. Northwest Shoals Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix 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 CVCC based on total student enrollment (4,665 students vs. 1,705 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chattahoochee Valley Community College is located in Phenix City, AL (Midsize Suburban setting); Northwest Shoals Community College is in Muscle Shoals, AL (Small City setting).
• Chattahoochee Valley 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: Chattahoochee Valley Community College 14:1; Northwest Shoals Community College 18:1.

CVCC vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CVCC 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 CVCC ($3,054 vs. $4,680).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Shoals Community College are 10.7% lower than at Chattahoochee Valley Community College ($10,000 vs. $11,200).
• Northwest Shoals Community College is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CVCC (about $31 more per year; $5,131.00 vs. $5,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Northwest Shoals Community College than at Chattahoochee Valley Community College (about $31 more per year; $9,001.00 vs. $8,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chattahoochee Valley Community College than at Northwest Shoals Community College (96% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Shoals Community College students is 4.6% larger than aid received by Chattahoochee Valley Community College students ($8,090 vs. $7,732).

CVCC vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CVCC 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 CVCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CVCC - Open admission; Northwest Shoals Community College - Open admission.

CVCC vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CVCC 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 Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of about $500 more per year than CVCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,900 vs. $29,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chattahoochee Valley Community College graduates have a $1,611 lower median loan debt than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates ($9,389 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, CVCC 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 CVCC students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 27%)

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.