Northern Virginia Community College vs. Virginia Western Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Virginia Community College is larger than Virginia Western Community College based on total student enrollment (56,457 students vs. 6,332 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, VA (Large Suburban setting); Virginia Western Community College is in Roanoke, VA (Small City setting).
• Northern Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Virginia Western Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Virginia Community College 31:1; Virginia Western Community College 23:1.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. Virginia Western Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Virginia Community College or Virginia Western 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 Virginia Western Community College than Northern Virginia Community College ($5,492 vs. $9,627).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Western Community College are 45.3% lower than at Northern Virginia Community College ($6,936 vs. $12,684).
• Northern Virginia Community College is 9.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Virginia Western Community College (about $491 more per year; $5,891.00 vs. $5,400.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.8% higher at Northern Virginia Community College than at Virginia Western Community College (about $571 more per year; $12,409.00 vs. $11,838.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Western Community College than at Northern Virginia Community College (77% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Virginia Community College students is 25% larger than aid received by Virginia Western Community College students ($7,519 vs. $6,017).

Northern Virginia Community College vs. Virginia Western Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Virginia Community College or Virginia Western 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 Virginia Western 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; Virginia Western Community College - Open admission.

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

How do outcomes compare for Northern Virginia Community College and Virginia Western 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 $14,100 more per year than Virginia Western Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Virginia Western Community College graduates ($11,000 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Western Community College graduates ($113 vs. $124).
• More Northern Virginia Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Western Community College students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.