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Florence, Alabama Music Enterprises (FAME) Recording StudiosFlorence, Alabama Music Enterprises (FAME) Recording Studios · Photo: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain
Colleges in and near Muscle Shoals

Muscle Shoals is home to Northwest Shoals Community College

Northwest Shoals Community College (3,369 students on campus) is inside the city. About 7% of Muscle Shoals’ residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Alabama (6%).

Northwest Shoals Community College

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Muscle Shoals. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
10,037 students on campus
Nearest college
2.5 mi
Northwest Shoals
Residents in college
7%
About the same as AL (6%)
Nearest community college
2.5 mi
Northwest Shoals · $5,131 tuition
Nearest public university
5.2 mi
University of North Alabama · $12,120 in-state
Median household income
$76K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Muscle Shoals

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A community college in Muscle ShoalsNorthwest Shoals Community College has 3,369 students on campus in Muscle Shoals, 39% of whom graduate within three years.In-state price at University of North AlabamaLiving in Alabama, the University of North Alabama charges $12,120 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $22,320. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 7% of residentsAbout the same as Alabama (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Muscle Shoals

Both are public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Muscle Shoals.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of North AlabamaNorthwest ShoalsMuscle Shoals
University or collegeCommunity college
Northwest Shoals Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · 3,369 on campus · In Muscle Shoals$3knet price39%graduate$34kearningsTuition and fees: $5,131 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.University of North AlabamaUniversity or college · Public · 6,668 on campus · 5.2 mi · Florence87%admitted$12knet price55%graduate$45kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $75–110k, where Muscle Shoals’ median household income ($75,894) falls.

Northwest Shoals Community CollegeIn Muscle Shoals · sticker $11,340 · tuition $5,131$7,601a year
University of North Alabama5.2 mi · Florence · sticker $23,786$13,903a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Muscle Shoals: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Northwest ShoalsUniversity of North Alabama
University of North Alabama55% graduate$45k earnings$22k typical debt
Northwest Shoals Community College39% graduate$34k earnings$10k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Muscle Shoals

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Northwest Shoals Community College, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 27%Health professions 20%Precision production 15%Construction trades 10%Mechanics & repair 8%Engineering tech 7%Everything else 12%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities128 graduates a year
$43k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing66 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other43 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services13 graduates a year
$31k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Muscle Shoals

Is Muscle Shoals a college town?

No. About 7 of every 100 Muscle Shoals residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), about the same as Alabama (6). The largest campus in the city, Northwest Shoals Community College, has 3,369 students on campus.

What colleges are in Muscle Shoals?

Northwest Shoals Community College is inside the city.

What is the closest community college to Muscle Shoals, and what does it cost?

Northwest Shoals Community College in Muscle Shoals, 2.5 miles away. Tuition and fees are $5,131 a year for Alabama residents; the federal net price, $2,838, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of North Alabama cost if we live in Alabama?

Tuition and fees are $12,120 a year in-state and $22,320 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $9,741 (under $30,000 income) to $14,866 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Muscle Shoals. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →