Northern Virginia Community College vs. WVU

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Virginia Community College is larger than WVU based on total student enrollment (56,457 students vs. 23,643 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, VA (Large Suburban setting); West Virginia University is in Morgantown, WV (Small City setting).
• Northern Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. West Virginia University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Virginia Community College 31:1; West Virginia University 19:1.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. WVU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Virginia Community College or WVU? 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 WVU ($9,627 vs. $15,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Virginia Community College are 13% lower than at West Virginia University ($12,684 vs. $14,582).
• West Virginia University is 71.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Virginia Community College (about $4,213 more per year; $10,104.00 vs. $5,891.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 130.5% higher at WVU than at Northern Virginia Community College (about $16,199 more per year; $28,608.00 vs. $12,409.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Virginia University than at Northern Virginia Community College (94% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Virginia University students is 64.4% larger than aid received by Northern Virginia Community College students ($12,363 vs. $7,519).

Northern Virginia Community College vs. WVU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Virginia Community College or WVU? 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 WVU 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 studentsWest Virginia University 1010/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Virginia University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Virginia Community College - Open admission; WVU - Test optional.

Northern Virginia Community College vs. WVU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Virginia Community College and WVU? 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 West Virginia University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Northern Virginia Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,600 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have a $13,001 lower median loan debt than WVU graduates ($11,000 vs. $24,001).
• Among borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have an estimated $135 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WVU graduates ($113 vs. $248).
• More WVU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Virginia Community College students, three years after graduation. (59% 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.