Lackawanna College vs. Northampton Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Lackawanna College in Scranton, PA with Northampton County Area Community College in Bethlehem, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northampton County Area Community College is larger than Lackawanna College based on total student enrollment (8,810 students vs. 2,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Lackawanna College is located in Scranton, PA (Small City setting); Northampton County Area Community College is in Bethlehem, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Lackawanna College is a private, non-profit 2-year institution. Northampton County Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Lackawanna College 21:1; Northampton County Area Community College 19:1.

Lackawanna College vs. Northampton Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Lackawanna College or Northampton Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northampton County Area Community College than Lackawanna College ($11,682 vs. $19,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northampton County Area Community College are 11.1% lower than at Lackawanna College ($10,770 vs. $12,110).
• Lackawanna College is 61.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northampton Community College (about $7,030 more per year; $18,400.00 vs. $11,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.5% higher at Lackawanna College than at Northampton County Area Community College (about $3,130 more per year; $18,400.00 vs. $15,270.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lackawanna College than at Northampton County Area Community College (87% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lackawanna College students is 40.5% larger than aid received by Northampton County Area Community College students ($9,173 vs. $6,528).

Lackawanna College vs. Northampton Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Lackawanna College or Northampton Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Northampton Community College and Lackawanna College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northampton Community College Sep 4, 2026.

Lackawanna College vs. Northampton Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Lackawanna College and Northampton Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates of Lackawanna College and Northampton Community College have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($35,300 vs. $35,300), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northampton County Area Community College graduates have a $2,243 lower median loan debt than Lackawanna College graduates ($13,000 vs. $15,243).
• Among borrowers, Northampton Community College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lackawanna College graduates ($134 vs. $157).
• More Northampton Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Lackawanna College students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 37%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.