Northampton Community College vs. Penn Commercial

Comparable Facts

Compare Northampton County Area Community College in Bethlehem, PA with Penn Commercial Business/Technical School in Washington, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northampton County Area Community College is larger than Penn Commercial based on total student enrollment (8,810 students vs. 265 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northampton County Area Community College is located in Bethlehem, PA (Large Suburban setting); Penn Commercial Business/Technical School is in Washington, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northampton County Area Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Penn Commercial Business/Technical School is a private, for-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northampton County Area Community College 19:1; Penn Commercial Business/Technical School 9:1.

Northampton Community College vs. Penn Commercial Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northampton Community College or Penn Commercial? 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 Penn Commercial ($11,682 vs. $16,793).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn Commercial Business/Technical School are 24.8% lower than at Northampton County Area Community College ($8,100 vs. $10,770).
• Penn Commercial Business/Technical School is 20.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northampton Community College (about $2,284 more per year; $13,654.00 vs. $11,370.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at Northampton Community College than at Penn Commercial Business/Technical School (about $1,616 more per year; $15,270.00 vs. $13,654.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northampton County Area Community College than at Penn Commercial Business/Technical School (65% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn Commercial Business/Technical School students is 17.9% larger than aid received by Northampton County Area Community College students ($7,699 vs. $6,528).

Northampton Community College vs. Penn Commercial Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northampton Community College or Penn Commercial? 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 Penn Commercial and Northampton Community College.

• Northampton County Area Community College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northampton Community College - not listed in this dataset; Penn Commercial - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: Northampton Community College Sep 4, 2026.

Northampton Community College vs. Penn Commercial Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northampton Community College and Penn Commercial? 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 from Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than Penn Commercial graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,300 vs. $32,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Penn Commercial Business/Technical School graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Northampton Community College graduates ($12,000 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn Commercial graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northampton Community College graduates ($124 vs. $134).
• More Northampton Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn Commercial students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 36%)

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.