Head-to-head · 2026
Northern Virginia Community College vs University of Virginia's College at Wise
Compare average net price ($9,919 at Northern Virginia Community College; $9,210 at University of Virginia's College at Wise), ROI score (13.50 vs 12.30), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($53,557 vs $45,325), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Northern Virginia Community College; 28.5% at University of Virginia's College at Wise) 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 | Northern Virginia Community College | University of Virginia's College at Wise |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.50 ✓ | 12.30 |
| Avg net price | $9,919 | $9,210 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $39,676 | $36,840 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,891 | $11,780 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,409 | $28,010 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $53,557 ✓ | $45,325 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 28.5% |
| Graduation rate | 33.1% | 47.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 70.8% | 71.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $11,000 ✓ | $16,750 |
| Enrollment | 33,048 | 1,101 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1050 |
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 | Northern Virginia Community College | University of Virginia's College at Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,463 ✓ | $8,891 |
| Family income $30–48k | $8,317 | $7,668 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $10,762 | $7,455 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $13,835 | $8,813 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,630 | $16,176 ✓ |
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 | Northern Virginia Community College | University of Virginia's College at Wise |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 41.2% | 26.6% |
| Social Sciences, General | 4.2% | 23.6% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1.6% | 9.9% |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 3.5% | 7.7% |
| Computer Science | 3.2% | 2.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Virginia's College at Wise reports the lower average net price by $709 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $2,836 difference over four years ($36,840 vs $39,676).
Northern Virginia Community College reports $8,232 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($53,557 vs $45,325). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 70.8% at Northern Virginia Community College and 71.6% at University of Virginia's College at Wise. Median federal debt among completers is $11,000 vs $16,750, respectively.
5 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
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Frequently asked
Northern Virginia Community College vs University of Virginia's College at Wise, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Virginia's College at Wise is cheaper — average net price $9,210 per year vs $9,919 at Northern Virginia Community College. The annual difference of $709 adds up to about $2,836 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northern Virginia Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $53,557 vs $45,325 at University of Virginia's College at Wise. The gap in the federal data is $8,232. 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.