Fortis College-Norfolk vs. Virginia Western Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Fortis College Norfolk in Norfolk, VA with Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Western Community College is larger than Fortis College-Norfolk based on total student enrollment (6,332 students vs. 399 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fortis College Norfolk is located in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting); Virginia Western Community College is in Roanoke, VA (Small City setting).
• Fortis College Norfolk is a private, for-profit 2-year institution. Virginia Western Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fortis College Norfolk 19:1; Virginia Western Community College 23:1.

Fortis College-Norfolk vs. Virginia Western Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fortis College-Norfolk or Virginia Western 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 Virginia Western Community College than Fortis College-Norfolk ($5,492 vs. $24,764).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Western Community College are 58.3% lower than at Fortis College Norfolk ($6,936 vs. $16,650).
• Fortis College Norfolk is 174.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Western Community College (about $9,401 more per year; $14,801.00 vs. $5,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25% higher at Fortis College-Norfolk than at Virginia Western Community College (about $2,963 more per year; $14,801.00 vs. $11,838.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fortis College Norfolk than at Virginia Western Community College (96% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fortis College Norfolk students is 20.3% larger than aid received by Virginia Western Community College students ($7,241 vs. $6,017).

Fortis College-Norfolk vs. Virginia Western Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fortis College-Norfolk or Virginia Western 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 Virginia Western 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; Virginia Western Community College - Open admission.

Fortis College-Norfolk vs. Virginia Western Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fortis College-Norfolk and Virginia Western 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 Virginia Western Community College earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Fortis College-Norfolk graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,000 vs. $26,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fortis College Norfolk graduates have a $1,986 lower median loan debt than Virginia Western Community College graduates ($10,014 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Fortis College-Norfolk graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Western Community College graduates ($103 vs. $124).
• More Virginia Western Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College-Norfolk students, three years after graduation. (37% 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.