Drake State vs. Northwest Shoals Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Northwest Shoals Community College is larger than Drake State based on total student enrollment (4,665 students vs. 1,187 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is located in Huntsville, AL (Midsize City setting); Northwest Shoals Community College is in Muscle Shoals, AL (Small City setting).
• J. F. Drake State Community and Technical 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: J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College 13:1; Northwest Shoals Community College 18:1.

Drake State vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Drake 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 Drake State ($3,054 vs. $6,075).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College are 5.5% lower than at Northwest Shoals Community College ($9,450 vs. $10,000).
• J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College is 1.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest Shoals Community College (about $59 more per year; $5,190.00 vs. $5,131.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.7% higher at Drake State than at Northwest Shoals Community College (about $59 more per year; $9,060.00 vs. $9,001.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College than at Northwest Shoals Community College (84% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College students is 1.9% larger than aid received by Northwest Shoals Community College students ($8,245 vs. $8,090).

Drake State vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Admissions comparison

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

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

Drake State vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Drake 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 Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than Drake State graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,900 vs. $26,100), 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.