Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) vs Dabney S Lancaster
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and Dabney S Lancaster Community College (DSLCC) are two distinct institutions offering diverse educational opportunities. NOVA boasts an impressive 100% acceptance rate, welcoming students from all backgrounds, while DSLCC maintains a selective admissions policy with an acceptance rate of 68%. NOVA's student body is predominantly female (58%), while DSLCC's student population is evenly balanced between genders. Both colleges offer a wide range of programs, with NOVA excelling in liberal arts and sciences, business, and health professions, and DSLCC specializing in career and technical education. While NOVA's graduation rate stands at 22%, DSLCC's graduation rate is slightly higher at 25%. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more distinctions between these two esteemed community colleges and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations.
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![]() Dabney S Lancaster Community College |
![]() Northern Virginia Community College |
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Overview |
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Location | Clifton Forge, Virginia | Annandale, Virginia |
Campus setting | Rural: Fringe | Suburb: Large |
College type | 2 year | 2 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 63.0% | 69.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | Open Admission |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | ||
Total number of admissions given out | ||
Admitted students who chose to enroll | ||
Yield rate | ||
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | Not required |
High school GPA | N/A | N/A |
Recommendation letters | N/A | N/A |
High school transcript | N/A | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$19,310
Out of state:
$25,313
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In state:
$23,961
Out of state:
$30,044
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Average net price | $6,690 | $9,627 |
Tuition |
In state:
$4,620
Out of state:
$9,918
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In state:
$5,412
Out of state:
$10,790
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Room & board | ||
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
83.0%
Average amount $5,190 |
53.0%
Average amount $6,083 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
9.0%
Average amount $4,250 |
18.0%
Average amount $4,754 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
0.0%
Average amount $7,370 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,069
Men 38.4% Women 61.6% |
49,560
Men 46.7% Women 53.3% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 5.3% | 1.5% |
International students | 0.1% | 2.5% |
Campus local/setting | Rural: Fringe | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Virginia West Virginia Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee | Virginia Maryland District of Columbia West Virginia North Carolina |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 28:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 46.6% | 32.9% |
Dropout rate | 42.6% | 36.7% |
Transferred out | 4.7% | 15.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees)
Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
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Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Computer Science (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Associate's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Associate's Degrees)
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees)
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