Northern Virginia Community College vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale, VA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Virginia Community College is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (56,457 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, VA (Large Suburban setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Northern Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Virginia Community College 31:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Virginia Community College or UVA? 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 UVA ($9,627 vs. $18,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Virginia Community College are 14.3% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($12,684 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 270.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Virginia Community College (about $15,912 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $5,891.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 379.6% higher at UVA than at Northern Virginia Community College (about $47,103 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $12,409.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Virginia Community College than at University of Virginia Main Campus (54% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 281.9% larger than aid received by Northern Virginia Community College students ($28,715 vs. $7,519).

Northern Virginia Community College vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• Northern Virginia Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Virginia Community College - Open admission; UVA - Test optional.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Virginia Community College and UVA? 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 University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $31,100 more per year than Northern Virginia Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than UVA graduates ($11,000 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVA graduates ($113 vs. $201).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Virginia Community College students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 45%)

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.