Northwest Shoals Community College vs. Southern Union State Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Southern Union State Community College is larger than Northwest Shoals Community College based on total student enrollment (5,063 students vs. 4,665 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Shoals Community College is located in Muscle Shoals, AL (Small City setting); Southern Union State Community College is in Wadley, AL (Remote Rural setting).
• Northwest Shoals Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southern Union State Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Shoals Community College 18:1; Southern Union State Community College 21:1.

Northwest Shoals Community College vs. Southern Union State Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest Shoals Community College or Southern Union 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 Southern Union State Community College ($3,054 vs. $6,924).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Union State Community College are 40% lower than at Northwest Shoals Community College ($6,000 vs. $10,000).
• Northwest Shoals Community College is 1.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southern Union State Community College (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 Southern Union State Community College (about $91 more per year; $9,001.00 vs. $8,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Shoals Community College than at Southern Union State Community College (80% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Union State Community College students is 10.6% larger than aid received by Northwest Shoals Community College students ($8,948 vs. $8,090).

Northwest Shoals Community College vs. Southern Union State Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest Shoals Community College or Southern Union 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 Southern Union 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; Southern Union State Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southern Union State Community College Aug 5, 2027.

Northwest Shoals Community College vs. Southern Union State Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest Shoals Community College and Southern Union 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 Southern Union State Community College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,400 vs. $29,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern Union State Community College graduates have a $2,150 lower median loan debt than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates ($8,850 vs. $11,000).
• Among borrowers, Southern Union State Community College graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest Shoals Community College graduates ($91 vs. $113).
• More Southern Union State Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest Shoals Community College students, three years after graduation. (39% 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.