JSCC vs. Fortis College

Comparable Facts

Compare Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham, AL with Fortis College in Mobile, AL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Jefferson State Community College is larger than Fortis College based on total student enrollment (9,240 students vs. 315 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Jefferson State Community College is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); Fortis College is in Mobile, AL (Midsize City setting).
• Jefferson State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis College is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Jefferson State Community College 19:1; Fortis College 31:1.

JSCC vs. Fortis College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JSCC or Fortis 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 Jefferson State Community College than Fortis College ($8,778 vs. $19,074).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fortis College are 64.8% lower than at Jefferson State Community College ($5,607 vs. $15,921).
• Fortis College is 187.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than JSCC (about $9,564 more per year; $14,664.00 vs. $5,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.5% higher at Fortis College than at Jefferson State Community College (about $5,694 more per year; $14,664.00 vs. $8,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fortis College than at Jefferson State Community College (93% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fortis College students is 6.2% larger than aid received by Jefferson State Community College students ($6,694 vs. $6,302).

JSCC vs. Fortis College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JSCC or Fortis 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 Fortis College and JSCC.

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

JSCC vs. Fortis College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JSCC and Fortis 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 Jefferson State Community College earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Fortis College graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,800 vs. $22,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Jefferson State Community College graduates have a $2,576 lower median loan debt than Fortis College graduates ($8,500 vs. $11,076).
• Among borrowers, JSCC graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis College graduates ($87 vs. $114).
• More JSCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 22%)

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.