Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) vs Southside Virginia Community College
Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) are two distinct institutions offering diverse educational opportunities to students in Virginia. NOVA, located in the bustling suburbs of Washington, D.C., boasts a significantly higher acceptance rate compared to SVCC, making it a more accessible option for prospective students. In terms of student body demographics, NOVA's student population is more racially and ethnically diverse, reflecting the cosmopolitan nature of its surroundings. On the other hand, SVCC's student body is predominantly White, mirroring the demographics of its rural location. While both colleges offer a wide range of academic programs, NOVA excels in fields such as business, engineering, and health sciences, while SVCC specializes in agriculture, automotive technology, and nursing. With varying graduation rates and distinct campus environments, NOVA and SVCC cater to different student needs and aspirations. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which college aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Northern Virginia Community College |
![]() Southside Virginia Community College |
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Overview |
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Location | Annandale, Virginia | Alberta, Virginia |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Rural: Distant |
College type | 2 year | 2 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 69.0% | 56.0% |
![]() |
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:
$23,961
Out of state:
$30,044
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In state:
$18,562
Out of state:
$24,565
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Average net price | $9,627 | $6,713 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,412
Out of state:
$10,790
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In state:
$4,620
Out of state:
$9,918
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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) |
53.0%
Average amount $6,083 |
86.0%
Average amount $5,431 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
18.0%
Average amount $4,754 |
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Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $7,370 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
49,560
Men 46.7% Women 53.3% |
2,961
Men 32.1% Women 67.9% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 1.5% | 1.5% |
International students | 2.5% | 0.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Rural: Distant |
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 Maryland District of Columbia West Virginia North Carolina | Virginia North Carolina South Carolina |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 28:1 | 24:1 |
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 | 32.9% | 41.9% |
Dropout rate | 36.7% | 40.1% |
Transferred out | 15.4% | 7.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees)
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Associate's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services (Associate's Degrees)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Ground Transportation (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
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