Erie Community College vs. Jefferson Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Erie Community College in Buffalo, NY with Jefferson Community College in Watertown, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Erie Community College is larger than Jefferson Community College based on total student enrollment (8,090 students vs. 2,319 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Erie Community College is located in Buffalo, NY (Large City setting); Jefferson Community College is in Watertown, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Erie 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: Erie Community College 20:1; Jefferson Community College 21:1.

Erie Community College vs. Jefferson Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Erie Community College 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 Erie Community College than Jefferson Community College ($7,155 vs. $11,328).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Jefferson Community College are 12.3% lower than at Erie Community College ($14,308 vs. $16,320).
• Erie Community College is 80.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jefferson Community College (about $5,036 more per year; $11,300.00 vs. $6,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.5% higher at Jefferson Community College than at Erie Community College (about $400 more per year; $11,700.00 vs. $11,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Jefferson Community College than at Erie Community College (73% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Jefferson Community College students is 2.7% larger than aid received by Erie Community College students ($7,381 vs. $7,190).

Erie Community College vs. Jefferson Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Erie Community College 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 Erie Community College.

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

Erie Community College vs. Jefferson Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Erie Community College 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 Erie Community College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than Jefferson Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,400 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Erie Community College graduates have a $2,149 lower median loan debt than Jefferson Community College graduates ($7,751 vs. $9,900).
• Among borrowers, Erie Community College graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Jefferson Community College graduates ($80 vs. $102).
• More Erie Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Jefferson Community College students, three years after graduation. (47% vs. 45%)

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.