Tarrant County College District (TCCD) vs North Central Texas College (NCTC)

Tarrant County College District (TCCD) and North Central Texas College (NCTC) are two distinct institutions offering diverse educational opportunities to students in Texas. TCCD boasts an open admissions policy, welcoming all applicants with a high school diploma or GED, while NCTC maintains a selective admissions process, accepting only a portion of applicants. TCCD's student body is significantly larger and more diverse, with a higher percentage of female students and a greater representation of ethnic minorities compared to NCTC. Both institutions offer a wide range of academic programs, with TCCD excelling in fields like nursing, business, and engineering, and NCTC specializing in healthcare, education, and public safety. While TCCD boasts a higher graduation rate, NCTC offers a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which college better aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	North Central Texas College	Tarrant County College District
Overview
Location	Gainesville, Texas	Fort Worth, Texas
Campus setting	Town: Distant	City: Large
College type	2 year	2 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	66.0%	62.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $15,924 Out of state: $18,444	In state: $19,568 Out of state: $24,401
Average net price	$5,778	$6,867
Tuition	In state: $2,760 Out of state: $4,944	In state: $3,402 Out of state: $8,235
Room & board	$4,827
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	54.0% Average amount $4,231	53.0% Average amount $4,793
Students receiving federal student loan	18.0% Average amount $5,160	6.0% Average amount $5,226
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $8,750	0.0% Average amount $8,344

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	7,653 Men 41.6% Women 58.4%	36,264 Men 40.0% Women 60.0%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	N/A	2.0%
International students	2.6%	0.6%
Campus local/setting	Town: Distant	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	134	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Texas California Oklahoma Illinois Colorado

Academics
Popular study areas	Liberal Arts Health Professions Precision Production Law Enforcement and Firefighting Computer and Information Science	Liberal Arts Business Computer and Information Science Health Professions Automotive Technology
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	17:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	21.1%	20.5%
Dropout rate	33.8%	42.1%
Transferred out	31.4%	20.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $56,164 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $56,278 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $23,157 Year 2: $28,909 Year 3: $32,027 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $48,546 Year 2: $49,058 Year 3: N/A Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: $42,338 Year 2: $36,852 Year 3: N/A	Fire Protection (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $69,146 Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $51,833 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $61,230 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $55,103 Year 2: $55,724 Year 3: $59,952 Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $61,647 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $58,754 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $57,468 Year 2: $55,102 Year 3: $57,825 Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $48,350 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $54,919 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $41,088 Year 2: $42,123 Year 3: $46,148 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $42,992 Year 2: $37,980 Year 3: $43,390 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $20,649 Year 2: $25,967 Year 3: $42,919 Accounting and Related Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $36,063 Year 2: $47,327 Year 3: $40,923

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Tarrant County College (TCC) and North Central Texas College (NCTC)?

TCC is a multi-campus community college district serving Tarrant County, offering a wide range of programs and services across multiple locations. NCTC, while also a community college, primarily serves a more northern region of Texas. TCC generally has a larger student population and a broader selection of specialized programs, while NCTC may offer a more intimate learning environment with smaller class sizes in some areas. Location and specific program availability are key differentiators.
Which college, TCC or NCTC, is closer to me?

This depends entirely on your location. TCC has multiple campuses throughout Tarrant County (Fort Worth, Arlington, Hurst, etc.). NCTC's main service area is in the northern part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with campuses in Gainesville, Corinth, Flower Mound, and Bowie. Check the college websites for campus locations and use a map to determine which is most convenient for you.
Do TCC and NCTC offer the same degree programs?

While both colleges offer core academic courses and associate degrees that can transfer to four-year universities, their specialized program offerings may differ. TCC tends to have a more extensive catalog of vocational and technical programs due to its larger size and resources. NCTC also offers a variety of programs, but it's important to compare the specific programs you're interested in on each college's website to see which best fits your needs.
How do the tuition costs compare between TCC and NCTC?

Tuition rates at both TCC and NCTC are generally affordable, as they are community colleges. However, the exact cost per credit hour can vary. It's best to visit the tuition and fees section of each college's website (tccd.edu and nctc.edu) for the most up-to-date information. Also, consider that additional fees may apply depending on the courses you take.
What student support services are available at TCC and NCTC?

Both TCC and NCTC offer a range of student support services, including academic advising, tutoring, career services, disability services, and financial aid assistance. The specific services and resources available may vary slightly between the colleges and even between campuses within each district. Check each college's website for a comprehensive list of available services.
How do I apply to TCC and NCTC?

The application process for both TCC and NCTC is typically done online through their respective websites (tccd.edu and nctc.edu). You'll generally need to create an account, complete the application form, and submit any required documents, such as transcripts. Be sure to check the application deadlines for each college.
Are there any specific programs that TCC is known for?

TCC is known for its strong programs in areas like aviation, health sciences (nursing, dental hygiene), and information technology. They also have robust workforce development programs designed to meet the needs of local industries. Specific program strengths can vary by campus within the TCC district.
Are there any specific programs that NCTC is known for?

NCTC has a strong reputation for its agriculture programs, equine programs, and allied health programs. They also offer a variety of transfer programs designed to prepare students for four-year universities. Check their website for a complete list of program offerings.
What is the campus culture like at TCC versus NCTC?

TCC, being a larger district with multiple campuses, offers a diverse and vibrant campus culture. Each campus has its own unique feel and student activities. NCTC, with a more geographically concentrated service area, may offer a more close-knit community feel, especially at its smaller campuses. Visiting the campuses and attending events is the best way to get a sense of the campus culture at each college.
Do TCC and NCTC offer online courses?

Yes, both TCC and NCTC offer a variety of online courses, providing flexibility for students who prefer to learn remotely. The availability of specific courses online may vary, so check the course schedules on each college's website to see what's offered.

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