Fortis College-Norfolk vs. Tidewater Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Fortis College Norfolk in Norfolk, 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 Fortis College-Norfolk based on total student enrollment (16,884 students vs. 399 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fortis College Norfolk is located in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting); Tidewater Community College is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Fortis College Norfolk is a private, for-profit 2-year institution. Tidewater Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fortis College Norfolk 19:1; Tidewater Community College 22:1.

Fortis College-Norfolk vs. Tidewater Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fortis College-Norfolk 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 Tidewater Community College than Fortis College-Norfolk ($11,876 vs. $24,764).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tidewater Community College are 7.2% lower than at Fortis College Norfolk ($15,452 vs. $16,650).
• Fortis College Norfolk is 164.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tidewater Community College (about $9,213 more per year; $14,801.00 vs. $5,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.4% higher at Fortis College-Norfolk than at Tidewater Community College (about $2,505 more per year; $14,801.00 vs. $12,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fortis College Norfolk than at Tidewater Community College (96% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tidewater Community College students is 5.6% larger than aid received by Fortis College Norfolk students ($7,648 vs. $7,241).

Fortis College-Norfolk vs. Tidewater Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fortis College-Norfolk 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 Fortis College-Norfolk.

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

Fortis College-Norfolk vs. Tidewater Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fortis College-Norfolk 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 $7,900 more per year than Fortis College-Norfolk graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,300 vs. $26,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tidewater Community College graduates have a $514 lower median loan debt than Fortis College-Norfolk graduates ($9,500 vs. $10,014).
• Among borrowers, Tidewater Community College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis College-Norfolk graduates ($98 vs. $103).
• More Tidewater Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College-Norfolk students, three years after graduation. (32% vs. 20%)

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.