TVCC vs. Capella University

Comparable Facts

Compare Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, TX with Capella University in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Capella University is larger than TVCC based on total student enrollment (47,761 students vs. 5,961 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Trinity Valley Community College is located in Athens, TX (Distant Town setting); Capella University is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Trinity Valley Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Capella University is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Trinity Valley Community College 21:1; Capella University 41:1.

TVCC vs. Capella University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TVCC or Capella University? 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 Trinity Valley Community College than Capella University ($5,015 vs. $17,199).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Capella University are 2.4% lower than at Trinity Valley Community College ($7,350 vs. $7,534).
• Capella University is 192.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than TVCC (about $9,480 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $4,920.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 141.2% higher at Capella University than at Trinity Valley Community College (about $8,430 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $5,970.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Trinity Valley Community College than at Capella University (65% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Trinity Valley Community College students is 70.5% larger than aid received by Capella University students ($9,582 vs. $5,621).

TVCC vs. Capella University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TVCC or Capella University? 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 Capella University and TVCC.

• Trinity Valley Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TVCC - Open admission; Capella University - Not reported.

TVCC vs. Capella University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TVCC and Capella University? 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 Capella University earn a median of about $36,300 more per year than TVCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Trinity Valley Community College graduates have a $18,806 lower median loan debt than Capella University graduates ($9,250 vs. $28,056).
• Among borrowers, TVCC graduates have an estimated $195 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Capella University graduates ($95 vs. $290).
• More TVCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Capella University students, three years after graduation. (30% vs. 28%)

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.