Independence Community College vs. Salina Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Independence Community College in Independence, KS with Salina Area Technical College in Salina, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Salina Area Technical College is larger than Independence Community College based on total student enrollment (1,016 students vs. 764 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Independence Community College is located in Independence, KS (Remote Town setting); Salina Area Technical College is in Salina, KS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Independence Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Salina Area Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Independence Community College 16:1; Salina Area Technical College 8:1.

Independence Community College vs. Salina Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Independence Community College or Salina Tech? 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 Independence Community College than Salina Tech ($3,738 vs. $6,482).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Salina Area Technical College are 12.4% lower than at Independence Community College ($6,309 vs. $7,200).
• Salina Area Technical College is 50.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Independence Community College (about $2,388 more per year; $7,128.00 vs. $4,740.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44% higher at Salina Tech than at Independence Community College (about $2,178 more per year; $7,128.00 vs. $4,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Independence Community College than at Salina Area Technical College (90% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Salina Area Technical College students is 16.8% larger than aid received by Independence Community College students ($8,815 vs. $7,549).

Independence Community College vs. Salina Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Independence Community College or Salina Tech? 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 Salina Tech and Independence Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Independence Community College - Open admission; Salina Tech - Open admission.

Independence Community College vs. Salina Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Independence Community College and Salina Tech? 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 Salina Area Technical College earn a median of about $6,400 more per year than Independence Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,700 vs. $29,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Independence Community College graduates have a $303 lower median loan debt than Salina Tech graduates ($5,197 vs. $5,500).
• Among borrowers, Independence Community College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salina Tech graduates ($53 vs. $56).
• More Salina Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Independence Community College students, three years after graduation. (59% vs. 37%)

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.