DCC vs. TC3

Comparable Facts

Compare Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY with Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dutchess Community College is larger than TC3 based on total student enrollment (6,606 students vs. 4,958 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dutchess Community College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); Tompkins Cortland Community College is in Dryden, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Dutchess Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Tompkins Cortland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dutchess Community College 20:1; Tompkins Cortland Community College 12:1.

DCC vs. TC3 Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DCC or TC3? 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 Dutchess Community College than TC3 ($9,612 vs. $12,465).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tompkins Cortland Community College are 15.7% lower than at Dutchess Community College ($11,626 vs. $13,786).
• Tompkins Cortland Community College is 22.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than DCC (about $1,300 more per year; $6,970.00 vs. $5,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.5% higher at TC3 than at Dutchess Community College (about $2,185 more per year; $12,855.00 vs. $10,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tompkins Cortland Community College than at Dutchess Community College (80% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dutchess Community College students is 3.2% larger than aid received by Tompkins Cortland Community College students ($7,595 vs. $7,356).

DCC vs. TC3 Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DCC or TC3? 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 TC3 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; TC3 - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: TC3 Jul 15, 2027.

DCC vs. TC3 Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DCC and TC3? 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 Dutchess Community College earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than TC3 graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dutchess Community College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than TC3 graduates ($9,500 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, DCC graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TC3 graduates ($98 vs. $134).
• More DCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TC3 students, three years after graduation. (43% vs. 42%)

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.