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Northwest Shoals Community College SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements

SAT RangeN/A

ACT RangeN/A

Average GPA3.31

Acceptance Rate100%

At Northwest Shoals, a 100% acceptance rate means your focus should shift from getting in to starting prepared. Since it is test-optional and freshman retention is 61%, use SAT or ACT practice as a readiness check so you can enter with a stronger plan for college-level work.

Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.

Northwest Shoals Community College facts and stats

Quick Facts

Northwest Shoals Community College enrolls about 4,665 undergraduates in a small-town campus setting. Northwest Shoals has a freshman retention rate of 61%. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1.

Location

Muscle Shoals, AL

Undergrad Enrollment4,665

Freshman Retention61%

SettingSmall town

Student to Faculty Ratio18:1

Graduation RateN/A

Test PolicyTest-optional

How does your GPA compare at Northwest Shoals?

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Key Northwest Shoals Community College application dates

Key dates

Application deadlines

Regular Decision

—

Early Action

Not offered

Early Decision

Not offered

Priority Deadline

—

Financial aid deadlines

Financial Aid Priority

July 7

Test dates

SAT test dates

August 22, 2026

Registration deadline: August 7, 2026

September 12, 2026

Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

October 3, 2026

Registration deadline: September 18, 2026

ACT test dates

September 19, 2026

Registration deadline: August 14, 2026

October 17, 2026

Registration deadline: September 11, 2026

December 12, 2026

Registration deadline: November 6, 2026

Take tests early for the best outcomes

If you choose to submit scores to test-optional Northwest Shoals, plan to take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year. Use the summer before senior year and the fall of senior year for retakes, especially if superscoring could improve your application; because Northwest Shoals has no Early Decision or Early Action deadline listed, check the regular admission deadline to decide which fall test is the last safe option.

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What you'll actually pay

Northwest Shoals is a public college with in-state tuition of $3,870 and out-of-state tuition of $7,740. About 71% of students receive aid, and the FAFSA priority deadline is July 7.

In-State Tuition$3,870

Out-of-State Tuition$7,740

Room and BoardN/A

Average Merit Award$3,805

Application FeeN/A

Students on Aid71%

Average Aid Package$10,814

Average Debt at GradN/A

Out-of-state tuition at Northwest Shoals is $7,740, compared with $3,870 for in-state tuition. Financial aid is common: 71% of students receive aid, with an average package of $10,814. Merit awards average $3,805, which can further reduce the billed cost for qualifying students.