Head-to-head · 2026
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College vs New River Community and Technical College
Compare average net price ($4,641 at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College; $3,599 at New River Community and Technical College), ROI score (21.17 vs 20.20), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($39,293 vs $29,073), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College; Open / not reported at New River Community and Technical College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | New River Community and Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 21.17 ✓ | 20.20 |
| Avg net price | $4,641 | $3,599 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $18,564 | $14,396 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $4,752 | $5,156 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,808 | $9,646 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $39,293 ✓ | $29,073 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 32.3% | 36% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 78.4% ✓ | 59.8% |
| Median debt | $13,000 | $7,250 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,661 | 770 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | New River Community and Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,201 | $2,657 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,002 | $3,804 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,911 ✓ | $5,989 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,572 | $4,891 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,522 | $2,187 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Blue Ridge Community and Technical College | New River Community and Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 34.8% | 12.8% |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 8.3% | 8.9% |
| Precision Metal Working | 0.2% | 11.6% |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 1.4% | 8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 6.1% | 2.1% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 6.7% | 0.3% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.6% | 3.4% |
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other | 0.2% | 4.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
New River Community and Technical College reports the lower average net price by $1,042 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,168 difference over four years ($14,396 vs $18,564).
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College reports $10,220 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($39,293 vs $29,073). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 78.4% at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and 59.8% at New River Community and Technical College. Median federal debt among completers is $13,000 vs $7,250, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College vs New River Community and Technical College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
New River Community and Technical College is cheaper — average net price $3,599 per year vs $4,641 at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. The annual difference of $1,042 adds up to about $4,168 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $39,293 vs $29,073 at New River Community and Technical College. The gap in the federal data is $10,220. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.