Northern Virginia Community College vs. Tidewater Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Virginia Community College is larger than Tidewater Community College based on total student enrollment (56,457 students vs. 16,884 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, VA (Large Suburban setting); Tidewater Community College is in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting).
• Northern Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Tidewater Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Virginia Community College 31:1; Tidewater Community College 22:1.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. Tidewater Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Virginia Community College or Tidewater 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 Northern Virginia Community College than Tidewater Community College ($9,627 vs. $11,876).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Virginia Community College are 17.9% lower than at Tidewater Community College ($12,684 vs. $15,452).
• Northern Virginia Community College is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tidewater Community College (about $303 more per year; $5,891.00 vs. $5,588.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at Northern Virginia Community College than at Tidewater Community College (about $113 more per year; $12,409.00 vs. $12,296.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tidewater Community College than at Northern Virginia Community College (60% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tidewater Community College students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Northern Virginia Community College students ($7,648 vs. $7,519).

Northern Virginia Community College vs. Tidewater Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Virginia Community College or Tidewater 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 Tidewater Community College and Northern Virginia Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Virginia Community College - Open admission; Tidewater Community College - Open admission.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. Tidewater Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Virginia Community College and Tidewater 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 $11,800 more per year than Tidewater Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $34,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Tidewater Community College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Northern Virginia Community College graduates ($9,500 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, Tidewater Community College graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Virginia Community College graduates ($98 vs. $113).
• More Northern Virginia Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tidewater Community College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 32%)

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.