Northwest Shoals Community College vs. Shelton State Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Northwest Shoals Community College is larger than Shelton State Community College based on total student enrollment (4,665 students vs. 4,601 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Shoals Community College is located in Muscle Shoals, AL (Small City setting); Shelton State Community College is in Tuscaloosa, AL (Small City setting).
• Northwest Shoals Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Shelton State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Shoals Community College 18:1; Shelton State Community College 18:1.

Northwest Shoals Community College vs. Shelton State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest Shoals Community College or Shelton State 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 Northwest Shoals Community College than Shelton State Community College ($3,054 vs. $14,539).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Shoals Community College are 16.7% lower than at Shelton State Community College ($10,000 vs. $12,000).
• Northwest Shoals Community College is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Shelton State Community College (about $4 more per year; $5,131.00 vs. $5,127.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at Northwest Shoals Community College than at Shelton State Community College (about $4 more per year; $9,001.00 vs. $8,997.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Shoals Community College than at Shelton State Community College (80% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Shoals Community College students is 14.2% larger than aid received by Shelton State Community College students ($8,090 vs. $7,087).

Northwest Shoals Community College vs. Shelton State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest Shoals Community College or Shelton State 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 Shelton State Community College 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; Shelton State Community College - Open admission.

Northwest Shoals Community College vs. Shelton State Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest Shoals Community College and Shelton State 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 Northwest Shoals Community College earn a median of about $900 more per year than Shelton State Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,900 vs. $29,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.