GSCC vs. Northwest Shoals Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, AL with Northwest Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, AL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Gadsden State Community College is larger than Northwest Shoals Community College based on total student enrollment (5,071 students vs. 4,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Gadsden State Community College is located in Gadsden, AL (Small City setting); Northwest Shoals Community College is in Muscle Shoals, AL (Small City setting).
• Gadsden State 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: Gadsden State Community College 17:1; Northwest Shoals Community College 18:1.

GSCC vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, GSCC 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 GSCC ($3,054 vs. $3,384).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gadsden State Community College are 46% lower than at Northwest Shoals Community College ($5,400 vs. $10,000).
• Northwest Shoals Community College is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than GSCC (about $859 more per year; $5,131.00 vs. $4,272.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.2% higher at Northwest Shoals Community College than at Gadsden State Community College (about $1,633 more per year; $9,001.00 vs. $7,368.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gadsden State Community College than at Northwest Shoals Community College (89% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Shoals Community College students is 19.7% larger than aid received by Gadsden State Community College students ($8,090 vs. $6,758).

GSCC vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, GSCC 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 GSCC.

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

GSCC vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for GSCC 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 $600 more per year than GSCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,900 vs. $29,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.