Northwest Shoals Community College vs. NACC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, AL with Northeast Alabama Community College in Rainsville, AL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwest Shoals Community College is larger than NACC based on total student enrollment (4,665 students vs. 3,208 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Shoals Community College is located in Muscle Shoals, AL (Small City setting); Northeast Alabama Community College is in Rainsville, AL (Distant Rural setting).
• Northwest Shoals Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Northeast Alabama Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Shoals Community College 18:1; Northeast Alabama Community College 17:1.

Northwest Shoals Community College vs. NACC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest Shoals Community College or NACC? 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 Northwest Shoals Community College than NACC ($3,054 vs. $6,054).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeast Alabama Community College are 2% lower than at Northwest Shoals Community College ($9,800 vs. $10,000).
• Northwest Shoals Community College is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NACC (about $91 more per year; $5,131.00 vs. $5,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Northwest Shoals Community College than at Northeast Alabama Community College (about $91 more per year; $9,001.00 vs. $8,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeast Alabama Community College than at Northwest Shoals Community College (90% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Shoals Community College students is 11.3% larger than aid received by Northeast Alabama Community College students ($8,090 vs. $7,271).

Northwest Shoals Community College vs. NACC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest Shoals Community College or NACC? 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 NACC and Northwest Shoals Community College.

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

Northwest Shoals Community College vs. NACC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest Shoals Community College and NACC? 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 Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of about $700 more per year than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,600 vs. $29,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northeast Alabama Community College graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates ($4,500 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, NACC graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates ($46 vs. $113).
• More NACC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest Shoals 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.