Marion Military Institute vs. Northwest Shoals Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL with Northwest Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, AL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwest Shoals Community College is larger than Marion Military Institute based on total student enrollment (4,665 students vs. 332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Marion Military Institute is located in Marion, AL (Remote Rural setting); Northwest Shoals Community College is in Muscle Shoals, AL (Small City setting).
• Marion Military Institute is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northwest Shoals Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Marion Military Institute 11:1; Northwest Shoals Community College 18:1.

Marion Military Institute vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Marion Military Institute or Northwest Shoals 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 Northwest Shoals Community College than Marion Military Institute ($3,054 vs. $10,044).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marion Military Institute are 50.5% lower than at Northwest Shoals Community College ($4,950 vs. $10,000).
• Marion Military Institute is 85.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest Shoals Community College (about $4,407 more per year; $9,538.00 vs. $5,131.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.6% higher at Marion Military Institute than at Northwest Shoals Community College (about $6,537 more per year; $15,538.00 vs. $9,001.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Marion Military Institute than at Northwest Shoals Community College (97% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marion Military Institute students is 37.3% larger than aid received by Northwest Shoals Community College students ($11,105 vs. $8,090).

Marion Military Institute vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Marion Military Institute or Northwest Shoals 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 Northwest Shoals Community College and Marion Military Institute.

• Northwest Shoals Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Marion Military Institute 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Marion Military Institute 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Marion Military Institute - Required; Northwest Shoals Community College - Open admission.

Marion Military Institute vs. Northwest Shoals Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Marion Military Institute and Northwest Shoals 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 Marion Military Institute earn a median of about $18,000 more per year than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,900 vs. $29,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Shoals Community College graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Marion Military Institute graduates ($11,000 vs. $11,500).
• Among borrowers, Northwest Shoals Community College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Marion Military Institute graduates ($113 vs. $118).
• More Marion Military Institute graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest Shoals Community College students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 37%)

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.