JSCC vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham

Comparable Facts

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

Jefferson State Community College is larger than Fortis Institute-Birmingham based on total student enrollment (9,240 students vs. 613 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Jefferson State Community College is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); Fortis Institute Birmingham is in Birmingham, AL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Jefferson State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis Institute Birmingham is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Jefferson State Community College 19:1; Fortis Institute Birmingham 30:1.

JSCC vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, JSCC or Fortis Institute-Birmingham? 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 Institute-Birmingham ($8,778 vs. $25,960).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fortis Institute Birmingham are 32.2% lower than at Jefferson State Community College ($10,800 vs. $15,921).
• Fortis Institute Birmingham is 200.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than JSCC (about $10,235 more per year; $15,335.00 vs. $5,100.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71% higher at Fortis Institute-Birmingham than at Jefferson State Community College (about $6,365 more per year; $15,335.00 vs. $8,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fortis Institute Birmingham than at Jefferson State Community College (84% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fortis Institute Birmingham students is 18.5% larger than aid received by Jefferson State Community College students ($7,468 vs. $6,302).

JSCC vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, JSCC or Fortis Institute-Birmingham? 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 Institute-Birmingham and JSCC.

• Jefferson State Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: JSCC - Open admission; Fortis Institute-Birmingham - Not reported.

JSCC vs. Fortis Institute-Birmingham Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for JSCC and Fortis Institute-Birmingham? 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 $6,000 more per year than Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($32,800 vs. $26,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Jefferson State Community College graduates have a $4,128 lower median loan debt than Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates ($8,500 vs. $12,628).
• Among borrowers, JSCC graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis Institute-Birmingham graduates ($87 vs. $130).
• More JSCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis Institute-Birmingham students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 19%)

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.