LaGuardia vs. Jefferson Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare CUNY LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, NY with Jefferson Community College in Watertown, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY LaGuardia Community College is larger than Jefferson Community College based on total student enrollment (14,494 students vs. 2,319 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• CUNY LaGuardia Community College is located in Long Island City, NY (Large City setting); Jefferson Community College is in Watertown, NY (Remote Town setting).
• CUNY LaGuardia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Jefferson Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: CUNY LaGuardia Community College 19:1; Jefferson Community College 21:1.

LaGuardia vs. Jefferson Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LaGuardia or Jefferson 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 CUNY LaGuardia Community College than Jefferson Community College ($6,983 vs. $11,328).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jefferson Community College are 42.1% lower than at CUNY LaGuardia Community College ($14,308 vs. $24,731).
• Jefferson Community College is 20% more expensive for in-state tuition than LaGuardia (about $1,046 more per year; $6,264.00 vs. $5,218.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.5% higher at Jefferson Community College than at CUNY LaGuardia Community College (about $3,602 more per year; $11,700.00 vs. $8,098.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY LaGuardia Community College than at Jefferson Community College (86% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Jefferson Community College students is 15.4% larger than aid received by CUNY LaGuardia Community College students ($7,381 vs. $6,396).

LaGuardia vs. Jefferson Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LaGuardia or Jefferson 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 Jefferson Community College and LaGuardia.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LaGuardia - Open admission; Jefferson Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Community College Sep 6, 2026.

LaGuardia vs. Jefferson Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LaGuardia and Jefferson 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 CUNY LaGuardia Community College earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than Jefferson Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,700 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY LaGuardia Community College graduates have a $4,400 lower median loan debt than Jefferson Community College graduates ($5,500 vs. $9,900).
• Among borrowers, LaGuardia graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Jefferson Community College graduates ($56 vs. $102).
• More Jefferson Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LaGuardia students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 44%)

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.