Laurel Ridge Community College vs. Northern Virginia Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Virginia Community College is larger than Laurel Ridge Community College based on total student enrollment (56,457 students vs. 5,902 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Laurel Ridge Community College is located in Middletown, VA (Rural Fringe setting); Northern Virginia Community College is in Annandale, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Laurel Ridge Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northern Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Laurel Ridge Community College 28:1; Northern Virginia Community College 31:1.

Laurel Ridge Community College vs. Northern Virginia Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Laurel Ridge Community College or Northern Virginia 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 Northern Virginia Community College ($6,411 vs. $9,627).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Laurel Ridge Community College are 21.4% lower than at Northern Virginia Community College ($9,970 vs. $12,684).
• Northern Virginia Community College is 16.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Laurel Ridge Community College (about $819 more per year; $5,891.00 vs. $5,072.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Northern Virginia Community College than at Laurel Ridge Community College (about $899 more per year; $12,409.00 vs. $11,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Virginia Community College than at Laurel Ridge Community College (54% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Virginia Community College students is 35.2% larger than aid received by Laurel Ridge Community College students ($7,519 vs. $5,563).

Laurel Ridge Community College vs. Northern Virginia Community College Admissions comparison

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

Laurel Ridge Community College vs. Northern Virginia Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Laurel Ridge Community College and Northern Virginia 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 Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Laurel Ridge Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $34,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Laurel Ridge Community College graduates have a $3,375 lower median loan debt than Northern Virginia Community College graduates ($7,625 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, Laurel Ridge Community College graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Virginia Community College graduates ($78 vs. $113).
• More Northern Virginia Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Laurel Ridge Community College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 43%)

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.