Northampton Community College vs. PIA

Comparable Facts

Compare Northampton County Area Community College in Bethlehem, PA with Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics in West Mifflin, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northampton County Area Community College is larger than PIA based on total student enrollment (8,810 students vs. 663 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northampton County Area Community College is located in Bethlehem, PA (Large Suburban setting); Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics is in West Mifflin, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northampton County Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics is a private, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northampton County Area Community College 19:1; Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics 15:1.

Northampton Community College vs. PIA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northampton Community College or PIA? 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 Northampton County Area Community College than PIA ($11,682 vs. $30,118).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northampton County Area Community College are 16% lower than at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics ($10,770 vs. $12,826).
• Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics is 64.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northampton Community College (about $7,360 more per year; $18,730.00 vs. $11,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.7% higher at PIA than at Northampton County Area Community College (about $3,460 more per year; $18,730.00 vs. $15,270.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northampton County Area Community College than at Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (65% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics students is 8.5% larger than aid received by Northampton County Area Community College students ($7,080 vs. $6,528).

Northampton Community College vs. PIA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northampton Community College or PIA? 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 PIA and Northampton Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northampton Community College - Open admission; PIA - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northampton Community College Sep 4, 2026.

Northampton Community College vs. PIA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northampton Community College and PIA? 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 Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics earn a median of about $22,900 more per year than Northampton Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $35,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northampton County Area Community College graduates have a $1,498 lower median loan debt than PIA graduates ($13,000 vs. $14,498).
• Among borrowers, Northampton Community College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PIA graduates ($134 vs. $149).
• More PIA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northampton Community College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 44%)

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.