Career Training Path › Alabama › Northwest Shoals Community College
Northwest Shoals Community College
Muscle Shoals, Alabama · Public community college
Address: 800 George Wallace Blvd, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 · Phone: (256) 331-5200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Northwest Shoals Community College is a public trade and career school in Muscle Shoals, Alabama offering welding, LPN nursing, and electrician programs, accredited by SACS.
Northwest Shoals Community College has a 38.7% completion rate, below the state average of 45.5%; median graduate debt is $10,000 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $33,828, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Northwest Shoals Community College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used here, and 26.7% of students receive Pell.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $36,710 | $48,490 | $60,120 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $39,880 | $57,030 | $61,800 |
| Electricians | $37,640 | $55,690 | $64,450 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $21,300 | $29,150 | $37,230 |
| Medical assistants | $29,630 | $36,100 | $38,360 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,620 | $37,810 | $44,210 |
| Construction laborers | $23,980 | $36,900 | $45,240 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $41,060 | $60,700 | $71,620 |
| Machinists | $37,770 | $55,560 | $66,190 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $37,720 | $58,670 | $64,730 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,030 | $45,640 | $61,560 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Alabama (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 192 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 86 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 46 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 13 | $21,522 | not reported | $20,000 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Northwest Shoals Community College is a public community college in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with nursing programs additionally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here. Across 22 programs, the campus awards the most credentials in welding, LPN/LVN nursing, and electrician trades, with welding (203 completers), LPN programs (86), and electrician training (59) leading enrollment.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 38.7%, below the state average of 45.5%. Median debt for graduates is $10,000, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $33,828. About 26.7% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a mix of shorter certificate-style trades like welding and electrician work alongside longer LPN nursing programs, this campus may suit both those seeking quick entry into a skilled trade and those pursuing a healthcare credential requiring more time. Career changers should review specific program lengths and schedules directly with the school, as this information is not detailed here. To verify accreditation and outcomes independently, check the college's accreditors and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Northwest Shoals Community College offers 22 programs across families including welding, LPN/LVN nursing, electrician training, cosmetology, medical assisting, EMT training, construction trades, radiology tech, CNC machining, plumbing, and auto mechanics. The top programs by completions are welding, LPN nursing, and electrician schools.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with nursing programs also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 38.7%, which is below the Alabama state average of 45.5%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is $10,000, per federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $33,828, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly at (256) 331-5200 or visit https://www.nwscc.edu/ for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public community college, which typically means lower tuition and eligibility for state and federal funding compared to for-profit institutions.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported for this campus in the available data; contact the school to confirm program durations for specific trades.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and check federal outcomes data at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?101736.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The mix of shorter trade programs like welding and electrician training alongside longer nursing programs may suit adult career changers with different time commitments, but specific program schedules should be confirmed directly with the school.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing requirements vary by program and are not detailed in the available data; contact the school to learn about certification requirements for specific trades like LPN nursing or electrician work.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can contact Northwest Shoals Community College at (256) 331-5200 or visit their website at https://www.nwscc.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported here; use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?101736 to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.