NCA vs. University of the Potomac-VA Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest College of Art & Design in Tacoma, WA with University of the Potomac VA Campus in FALLS CHURCH, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of the Potomac VA Campus is larger than NCA based on total student enrollment (551 students vs. 139 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest College of Art & Design is located in Tacoma, WA (Rural Fringe setting); University of the Potomac VA Campus is in FALLS CHURCH, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northwest College of Art & Design is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. University of the Potomac VA Campus is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest College of Art & Design 34:1; University of the Potomac VA Campus 11:1.

NCA vs. University of the Potomac-VA Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NCA or University of the Potomac-VA Campus? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Potomac VA Campus are 26.2% lower than at Northwest College of Art & Design ($11,360 vs. $15,384).
• Northwest College of Art & Design is 171.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of the Potomac-VA Campus (about $11,440 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $6,660.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 171.8% higher at NCA than at University of the Potomac VA Campus (about $11,440 more per year; $18,100.00 vs. $6,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest College of Art & Design than at University of the Potomac VA Campus (87% vs. 0%).

NCA vs. University of the Potomac-VA Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NCA or University of the Potomac-VA Campus? 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 University of the Potomac-VA Campus and NCA.

• University of the Potomac VA Campus reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NCA - Test-free; University of the Potomac-VA Campus - Open admission.

NCA vs. University of the Potomac-VA Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NCA and University of the Potomac-VA Campus? 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).

• Northwest College of Art & Design's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of the Potomac VA Campus's (17%).
• Graduates from University of the Potomac VA Campus earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than NCA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,400 vs. $29,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of the Potomac VA Campus graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than NCA graduates ($30,500 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, University of the Potomac-VA Campus graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NCA graduates ($315 vs. $320).
• More NCA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of the Potomac-VA Campus students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 26%)

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.