Chattahoochee Valley Community College: $5,040 Tuition

$5,040Tuition

1,044Students

36%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$36,438Earnings

#19 in AlabamaPublic2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

About Chattahoochee Valley Community College

Chattahoochee Valley Community College serves 1,044 students in the suburbs of Phenix City, just across the river from Columbus, Georgia. The college has built a reputation for career-focused programs that directly feed into the regional workforce since 1973. Students come here for practical training in fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and business that employers in the Chattahoochee Valley actually need. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means instructors know their students personally and can provide hands-on guidance.

The financial picture works in students' favor. Average net price hits $5,814, but students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,228 after aid. Graduates earn a median of $36,438 ten years out, while typical debt loads stay manageable at $10,500. With monthly loan payments averaging only $111, most graduates can handle their debt burden. The 92% employment rate shows employers value what students learn here.

The student body reflects the diverse Chattahoochee Valley, with 49% Black students and 35% white students. Women make up 68% of enrollment, typical for community colleges focused on healthcare and service fields. The Pirates field four varsity sports with 72 total athletes, creating a tight-knit athletic community despite the college's career-first mission.

Academics & Faculty

The Pirates focus on career-ready training that feeds into the Chattahoochee Valley's workforce needs. With a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, students get personal attention in programs designed to launch careers quickly. The 36% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students transfer after earning certificates or associate degrees rather than staying for full completion. Women make up 68% of enrollment, typical for community colleges with strong health sciences and education pathways. The college specializes in workforce development, offering hands-on training in fields like nursing, manufacturing, and business. Students often balance work and family while attending, making flexible scheduling and practical skills training essential features of the academic experience.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Faculty: 41.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 36.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $36,438

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$57,860
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$24,035

View all 26 programs →

Campus Life

The Phenix City campus sits just across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia, putting students 30 minutes from a metro area of 300,000 people. Alabama's humid subtropical climate means you'll need both sunscreen and a light jacket, with summers hitting the 90s and winters rarely dropping below freezing. Women make up 67.72% of the student body, creating a predominantly female campus environment.

Most of the 1,044 students commute to campus, as community colleges typically don't offer dormitories. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller classes where professors know your name. Students often work part-time jobs while attending, reflecting the career-focused mission that serves the Chattahoochee Valley's workforce needs. The Pirates compete in four NCCAA sports with 72 total athletes, though athletics play a smaller role than at four-year schools. Weekends often involve jobs, family time, or trips to Columbus for shopping and entertainment. The semester system allows for traditional fall and spring breaks, fitting the schedules of working students and parents who make up much of the enrollment.

Setting: Suburb-Large
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1973

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 32°–61°F
July Avg: 69°–93°F
Annual Precipitation: 54.4"
Annual Snowfall: 0.5"

Student Demographics

Women make up two-thirds of the student body at Chattahoochee Valley, reflecting the college's strong nursing and healthcare programs that traditionally attract female students. Nearly half the students are Black, with white students comprising about one-third of enrollment. The college draws 78% of its students from Alabama, showing its role as a regional workforce pipeline. With 39% receiving Pell Grants, the school serves many first-generation and lower-income students seeking affordable career training. The Pirates provide accessible education for working adults and recent high school graduates in the Alabama-Georgia border region.

Men: 32.3%
Women: 67.7%
White: 35.1%
Black: 49.2%
Hispanic: 8.2%
Asian: 1.1%
In-State Students: 77.6%
Pell Grant Recipients: 39.3%

Location

Phenix City sits on Alabama's eastern border with Georgia, directly across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus. The school serves 1,044 students in this suburban area of about 38,000 residents. Columbus-Phenix City forms a metro area of roughly 320,000 people, making it a significant regional center. The Chattahoochee Valley blends military presence from nearby Fort Benning with manufacturing and healthcare sectors. Women make up 67.72% of the student body at this career-focused institution. The river valley setting provides outdoor recreation while maintaining affordable living costs. In-state students comprise 77.57% of enrollment, reflecting the college's role as a local workforce developer. Students considering colleges in Alabama may also compare Chattahoochee Valley Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Phenix City, Alabama 36869

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $36,438
Median Earnings (5 years): $43,555
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 28.1%
Monthly Loan Payment: $111/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Chattahoochee Valley Community College?

Chattahoochee Valley Community College maintains an open admission policy typical of community colleges, welcoming students who want to pursue career-focused training or transfer preparation. The school serves 1,044 students with a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, allowing for personalized attention in their workforce development programs.

How much does Chattahoochee Valley Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $5,814 annually, with lower-income families paying less through need-based aid. About 39% of students receive Pell Grants, and those from families earning under $30,000 pay just $3,228 net price, making career training accessible to the local community.

What academic programs is Chattahoochee Valley Community College known for?

The college specializes in career-focused programs and workforce development tailored to the Chattahoochee Valley region's employment needs. With a 92% employment rate for graduates, the school effectively prepares students for local job markets through practical, hands-on training programs.

What are the graduation and earnings outcomes at Chattahoochee Valley Community College?

The college has a 36% six-year graduation rate, which reflects the common pattern of community college students who may transfer or enter the workforce before completing degrees. Graduates earn a median of $36,438 ten years after enrollment, with manageable debt loads averaging $10,500 and monthly loan payments of just $111.

What is the campus environment like at Chattahoochee Valley Community College?

The Pirates compete in NCCAA athletics with 72 total athletes across four varsity sports, creating a modest but engaged campus community. The student body is 68% female and diverse, with 49% Black students and 35% White students, reflecting the demographics of the Phenix City area.

Does Chattahoochee Valley Community College offer athletic scholarships?

The college awards $562,175 in athletic scholarships across its four varsity sports programs. Founded in 1973, the school has built a tradition of supporting student-athletes while maintaining its primary focus on career preparation and workforce development in the region.