DCC vs. Suffolk County Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY with Suffolk County Community College in Selden, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Suffolk County Community College is larger than DCC based on total student enrollment (19,973 students vs. 6,606 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dutchess Community College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); Suffolk County Community College is in Selden, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Dutchess Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Suffolk County Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dutchess Community College 20:1; Suffolk County Community College 25:1.

DCC vs. Suffolk County Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DCC or Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County Community College than DCC ($4,965 vs. $9,612).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Suffolk County Community College are 75.5% lower than at Dutchess Community College ($3,374 vs. $13,786).
• Suffolk County Community College is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DCC (about $960 more per year; $6,630.00 vs. $5,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at Suffolk County Community College than at Dutchess Community College (about $1,790 more per year; $12,460.00 vs. $10,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dutchess Community College than at Suffolk County Community College (62% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dutchess Community College students is 2.7% larger than aid received by Suffolk County Community College students ($7,595 vs. $7,393).

DCC vs. Suffolk County Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DCC or Suffolk County Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Suffolk County Community College and DCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DCC - Open admission; Suffolk County Community College - Open admission.
• Enrolled freshman DCC students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (2.75) than students at Suffolk County Community College (2.5).

DCC vs. Suffolk County Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DCC and Suffolk County Community College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from Suffolk County Community College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than DCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,900 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Suffolk County Community College graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than DCC graduates ($7,500 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Suffolk County Community College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DCC graduates ($77 vs. $98).
• More Suffolk County Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DCC students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 43%)

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.