Glendale Community College vs. Rio Salado College

Comparable Facts

Compare Glendale Community College in Glendale, AZ with Rio Salado College in Tempe, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rio Salado College is larger than Glendale Community College based on total student enrollment (18,841 students vs. 13,914 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Glendale Community College is located in Glendale, AZ (Midsize City setting); Rio Salado College is in Tempe, AZ (Rural Fringe setting).
• Glendale Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Rio Salado College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Glendale Community College 18:1; Rio Salado College 31:1.

Glendale Community College vs. Rio Salado College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Glendale Community College or Rio Salado 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 Rio Salado College than Glendale Community College ($8,733 vs. $12,607).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rio Salado College are 11.1% lower than at Glendale Community College ($9,664 vs. $10,872).
• Glendale Community College and Rio Salado College have the same published in-state tuition ($2,358.00 vs. $2,358.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is the same at Glendale Community College as at Rio Salado College ($8,958.00 vs. $8,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Glendale Community College than at Rio Salado College (71% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Glendale Community College students is 8.1% larger than aid received by Rio Salado College students ($5,311 vs. $4,913).

Glendale Community College vs. Rio Salado College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Glendale Community College or Rio Salado 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 Rio Salado College and Glendale Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Glendale Community College - Open admission; Rio Salado College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Glendale Community College Aug 2, 2027.

Glendale Community College vs. Rio Salado College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Glendale Community College and Rio Salado 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 Rio Salado College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Glendale Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Glendale Community College graduates have a $1,656 lower median loan debt than Rio Salado College graduates ($6,241 vs. $7,897).
• Among borrowers, Glendale Community College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rio Salado College graduates ($64 vs. $81).
• More Glendale Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rio Salado College students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 19%)

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.