Laurel Ridge Community College vs. Fortis College-Norfolk

Comparable Facts

Compare Laurel Ridge Community College in Middletown, VA with Fortis College Norfolk in Norfolk, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Laurel Ridge Community College is larger than Fortis College-Norfolk based on total student enrollment (5,902 students vs. 399 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Laurel Ridge Community College is located in Middletown, VA (Rural Fringe setting); Fortis College Norfolk is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Laurel Ridge Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Fortis College Norfolk is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Laurel Ridge Community College 28:1; Fortis College Norfolk 19:1.

Laurel Ridge Community College vs. Fortis College-Norfolk Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Laurel Ridge Community College or Fortis College-Norfolk? 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 Laurel Ridge Community College than Fortis College-Norfolk ($6,411 vs. $24,764).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Laurel Ridge Community College are 40.1% lower than at Fortis College Norfolk ($9,970 vs. $16,650).
• Fortis College Norfolk is 191.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Laurel Ridge Community College (about $9,729 more per year; $14,801.00 vs. $5,072.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.6% higher at Fortis College-Norfolk than at Laurel Ridge Community College (about $3,291 more per year; $14,801.00 vs. $11,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fortis College Norfolk than at Laurel Ridge Community College (96% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fortis College Norfolk students is 30.2% larger than aid received by Laurel Ridge Community College students ($7,241 vs. $5,563).

Laurel Ridge Community College vs. Fortis College-Norfolk Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Laurel Ridge Community College or Fortis College-Norfolk? 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-Norfolk and Laurel Ridge Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Laurel Ridge Community College - Open admission; Fortis College-Norfolk - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Laurel Ridge Community College Jul 27, 2027.

Laurel Ridge Community College vs. Fortis College-Norfolk Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Laurel Ridge Community College and Fortis College-Norfolk? 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 Laurel Ridge Community College earn a median of about $8,200 more per year than Fortis College-Norfolk graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,600 vs. $26,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Laurel Ridge Community College graduates have a $2,389 lower median loan debt than Fortis College-Norfolk graduates ($7,625 vs. $10,014).
• Among borrowers, Laurel Ridge Community College graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fortis College-Norfolk graduates ($78 vs. $103).
• More Laurel Ridge Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fortis College-Norfolk students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 20%)

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.