Northampton Community College vs. RACC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northampton County Area Community College in Bethlehem, PA with Reading Area Community College in Reading, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northampton County Area Community College is larger than RACC based on total student enrollment (8,810 students vs. 5,369 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northampton County Area Community College is located in Bethlehem, PA (Large Suburban setting); Reading Area Community College is in Reading, PA (Small City setting).
• Northampton County Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Reading Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northampton County Area Community College 19:1; Reading Area Community College 19:1.

Northampton Community College vs. RACC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northampton Community College or RACC? 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 Reading Area Community College than Northampton Community College ($9,089 vs. $11,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northampton County Area Community College are 0.3% lower than at Reading Area Community College ($10,770 vs. $10,800).
• Northampton County Area Community College is 0.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than RACC (about $60 more per year; $11,370.00 vs. $11,310.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.1% higher at Northampton Community College than at Reading Area Community College (about $2,760 more per year; $15,270.00 vs. $12,510.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Reading Area Community College than at Northampton County Area Community College (74% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northampton County Area Community College students is 16.5% larger than aid received by Reading Area Community College students ($6,528 vs. $5,603).

Northampton Community College vs. RACC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northampton Community College or RACC? 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 RACC 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; RACC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northampton Community College Sep 4, 2026.

Northampton Community College vs. RACC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northampton Community College and RACC? 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 Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than RACC graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,300 vs. $33,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reading Area Community College graduates have a $2,400 lower median loan debt than Northampton Community College graduates ($10,600 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, RACC graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northampton Community College graduates ($109 vs. $134).
• More Northampton Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former RACC students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 33%)

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.