CNCC vs. FRCC

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely, CO with Front Range Community College in Westminster, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Front Range Community College is larger than CNCC based on total student enrollment (21,970 students vs. 1,271 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado Northwestern Community College is located in Rangely, CO (Remote Rural setting); Front Range Community College is in Westminster, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• Colorado Northwestern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Front Range Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado Northwestern Community College 9:1; Front Range Community College 22:1.

CNCC vs. FRCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CNCC or FRCC? 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 Front Range Community College than CNCC ($12,014 vs. $12,891).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Northwestern Community College are 43.3% lower than at Front Range Community College ($9,500 vs. $16,755).
• Front Range Community College is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CNCC (about $69 more per year; $4,663.00 vs. $4,594.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 136.3% higher at FRCC than at Colorado Northwestern Community College (about $9,959 more per year; $17,263.00 vs. $7,304.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Northwestern Community College than at Front Range Community College (88% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Front Range Community College students is 26.9% larger than aid received by Colorado Northwestern Community College students ($9,349 vs. $7,368).

CNCC vs. FRCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CNCC or FRCC? 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 FRCC and CNCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CNCC - Open admission; FRCC - Open admission.

CNCC vs. FRCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CNCC and FRCC? 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 Colorado Northwestern Community College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than FRCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,000 vs. $38,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Colorado Northwestern Community College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than FRCC graduates ($12,000 vs. $14,000).
• Among borrowers, CNCC graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FRCC graduates ($124 vs. $144).
• More CNCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FRCC students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 43%)

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.