Laurel Ridge Community College vs. New River Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Laurel Ridge Community College is larger than New River Community College based on total student enrollment (5,902 students vs. 4,254 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Laurel Ridge Community College is located in Middletown, VA (Rural Fringe setting); New River Community College is in Dublin, VA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Laurel Ridge Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. New River Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Laurel Ridge Community College 28:1; New River Community College 33:1.

Laurel Ridge Community College vs. New River Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Laurel Ridge Community College or New River 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 Laurel Ridge Community College than New River Community College ($6,411 vs. $6,993).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at New River Community College are 19.8% lower than at Laurel Ridge Community College ($8,000 vs. $9,970).
• Laurel Ridge Community College is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than New River Community College (about $93 more per year; $5,072.00 vs. $4,979.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at Laurel Ridge Community College than at New River Community College (about $93 more per year; $11,510.00 vs. $11,417.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at New River Community College than at Laurel Ridge Community College (63% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by New River Community College students is 19.2% larger than aid received by Laurel Ridge Community College students ($6,632 vs. $5,563).

Laurel Ridge Community College vs. New River Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Laurel Ridge Community College or New River 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 New River Community College 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; New River Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Laurel Ridge Community College Jul 27, 2027.

Laurel Ridge Community College vs. New River Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Laurel Ridge Community College and New River 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 Laurel Ridge Community College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than New River Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,600 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Laurel Ridge Community College graduates have a $375 lower median loan debt than New River Community College graduates ($7,625 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, Laurel Ridge Community College graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than New River Community College graduates ($78 vs. $82).
• More Laurel Ridge Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former New River Community College students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 41%)

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.