Northwest Shoals Community College vs. Snead State Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Northwest Shoals Community College is larger than Snead State Community College based on total student enrollment (4,665 students vs. 2,917 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Shoals Community College is located in Muscle Shoals, AL (Small City setting); Snead State Community College is in Boaz, AL (Distant Town setting).
• Northwest Shoals Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Snead State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Shoals Community College 18:1; Snead State Community College 20:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Northwest Shoals Community College or Snead 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 Snead State Community College ($3,054 vs. $3,413).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Snead State Community College are 53% lower than at Northwest Shoals Community College ($4,700 vs. $10,000).
• Snead State Community College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwest Shoals Community College (about $147 more per year; $5,278.00 vs. $5,131.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at Snead State Community College than at Northwest Shoals Community College (about $663 more per year; $9,664.00 vs. $9,001.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Snead State Community College than at Northwest Shoals Community College (89% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Shoals Community College students is 5.9% larger than aid received by Snead State Community College students ($8,090 vs. $7,640).

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

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

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

How do outcomes compare for Northwest Shoals Community College and Snead 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 Snead State Community College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,000 vs. $29,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Snead State Community College graduates have a $4,772 lower median loan debt than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates ($6,228 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, Snead State Community College graduates have an estimated $49 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates ($64 vs. $113).
• More Northwest Shoals Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Snead State Community College students, three years after graduation. (37% vs. 32%)

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.