Wallace State vs. Northwest Shoals Community College

Comparable Facts

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

George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is larger than Northwest Shoals Community College based on total student enrollment (6,424 students vs. 4,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is located in Hanceville, AL (Rural Fringe setting); Northwest Shoals Community College is in Muscle Shoals, AL (Small City setting).
• George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northwest Shoals Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville 18:1; Northwest Shoals Community College 18:1.

Wallace State vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wallace State 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 Wallace State ($3,054 vs. $12,710).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville are 51% lower than at Northwest Shoals Community College ($4,900 vs. $10,000).
• George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest Shoals Community College (about $89 more per year; $5,220.00 vs. $5,131.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Wallace State than at Northwest Shoals Community College (about $89 more per year; $9,090.00 vs. $9,001.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Shoals Community College than at George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville (80% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Shoals Community College students is 28.4% larger than aid received by George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville students ($8,090 vs. $6,300).

Wallace State vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wallace State 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 Wallace State .

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wallace State - Open admission; Northwest Shoals Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wallace State Jul 6, 2027.

Wallace State vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wallace State 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 George C Wallace State Community College Hanceville earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,800 vs. $29,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Shoals Community College and Wallace State graduates have the same median loan debt ($11,000 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Northwest Shoals Community College and Wallace State graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($113 vs. $113).
• More Wallace State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest Shoals Community College students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 37%)

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.