CVCC vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham

Comparable Facts

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

Chattahoochee Valley Community College is larger than Fortis Institute-Birmingham based on total student enrollment (1,705 students vs. 613 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chattahoochee Valley Community College is located in Phenix City, AL (Midsize Suburban setting); Fortis Institute Birmingham is in Birmingham, AL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Chattahoochee Valley 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: Chattahoochee Valley Community College 14:1; Fortis Institute Birmingham 30:1.

CVCC vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CVCC 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 Chattahoochee Valley Community College than Fortis Institute-Birmingham ($4,680 vs. $25,960).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fortis Institute Birmingham are 3.6% lower than at Chattahoochee Valley Community College ($10,800 vs. $11,200).
• Fortis Institute Birmingham is 200.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CVCC (about $10,235 more per year; $15,335.00 vs. $5,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71% higher at Fortis Institute-Birmingham than at Chattahoochee Valley Community College (about $6,365 more per year; $15,335.00 vs. $8,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chattahoochee Valley Community College than at Fortis Institute Birmingham (96% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chattahoochee Valley Community College students is 3.5% larger than aid received by Fortis Institute Birmingham students ($7,732 vs. $7,468).

CVCC vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CVCC 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 CVCC.

• Chattahoochee Valley Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CVCC - Open admission; Fortis Institute-Birmingham - Not reported.

CVCC vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CVCC 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 Chattahoochee Valley Community College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,400 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Chattahoochee Valley Community College graduates have a $3,239 lower median loan debt than Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates ($9,389 vs. $12,628).
• Among borrowers, CVCC graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates ($97 vs. $130).
• More CVCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis Institute-Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (27% 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.