Central Carolina Community College vs. Southwestern Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Carolina Community College in Sanford, NC with Southwestern Community College in Sylva, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Central Carolina Community College is larger than Southwestern Community College based on total student enrollment (5,882 students vs. 2,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Carolina Community College is located in Sanford, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Southwestern Community College is in Sylva, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Central Carolina Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Carolina Community College 12:1; Southwestern Community College 10:1.

Central Carolina Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Carolina Community College or Southwestern Community College? 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 Southwestern Community College than Central Carolina Community College ($6,176 vs. $7,317).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Carolina Community College are 26.1% lower than at Southwestern Community College ($9,643 vs. $13,050).
• Southwestern Community College is 51.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Carolina Community College (about $1,401 more per year; $4,112.00 vs. $2,711.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.9% higher at Southwestern Community College than at Central Carolina Community College (about $4,329 more per year; $13,184.00 vs. $8,855.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Community College than at Central Carolina Community College (80% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Community College students is 24.8% larger than aid received by Central Carolina Community College students ($10,024 vs. $8,031).

Central Carolina Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Carolina Community College or Southwestern Community College? 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 Southwestern Community College and Central Carolina Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Carolina Community College - Open admission; Southwestern Community College - Open admission.

Central Carolina Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Carolina Community College and Southwestern Community College? 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 Southwestern Community College earn a median of about $700 more per year than Central Carolina Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,200 vs. $26,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.