Northwest Shoals Community College
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Northwest Shoals Community College is a public institution in Muscle Shoals, Alabama with 1,924 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $5,071 compared with a Alabama nursing-school average of $10,667. The school reports a graduation rate of 32.8%, median earnings of $33,828, and median federal debt of $10,000.
$5,071 is lower than the state average of $10,667.
32.8% is lower than the state average of 43.4%.
$33,828 is lower than the state average of $40,280.
About Northwest Shoals Community College
| Location | Muscle Shoals, Alabama |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | www.nwscc.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $5,071 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $8,881 |
| Total Enrollment | 1,924 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 32.8% |
| Retention Rate | 62.5% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $33,828 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $106 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 27.5% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 24.0% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.3 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
27.5% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 24.0% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Northwest Shoals Community College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $20,284, while the reported median debt is $10,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $106. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (74.0%), followed by Black students (10.8%) and Hispanic students (9.2%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($33,828) divided by median debt ($10,000)