Iowa Lakes Community College vs. Southeastern Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, IA with Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southeastern Community College is larger than Iowa Lakes Community College based on total student enrollment (3,028 students vs. 1,945 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa Lakes Community College is located in Estherville, IA (Remote Town setting); Southeastern Community College is in West Burlington, IA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Iowa Lakes Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southeastern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa Lakes Community College 13:1; Southeastern Community College 14:1.

Iowa Lakes Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa Lakes Community College or Southeastern 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 Southeastern Community College than Iowa Lakes Community College ($9,587 vs. $13,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa Lakes Community College are 19.5% lower than at Southeastern Community College ($8,310 vs. $10,324).
• Iowa Lakes Community College is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeastern Community College (about $972 more per year; $7,392.00 vs. $6,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at Iowa Lakes Community College than at Southeastern Community College (about $1,302 more per year; $7,872.00 vs. $6,570.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeastern Community College than at Iowa Lakes Community College (74% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa Lakes Community College students is 1.8% larger than aid received by Southeastern Community College students ($5,926 vs. $5,822).

Iowa Lakes Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa Lakes Community College or Southeastern 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 Southeastern Community College and Iowa Lakes Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa Lakes Community College - Open admission; Southeastern Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southeastern Community College Mar 1, 2027.

Iowa Lakes Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa Lakes Community College and Southeastern 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 Iowa Lakes Community College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Southeastern Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,200 vs. $30,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southeastern Community College graduates have a $1,800 lower median loan debt than Iowa Lakes Community College graduates ($10,200 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Southeastern Community College graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa Lakes Community College graduates ($105 vs. $124).
• More Iowa Lakes Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southeastern Community College students, three years after graduation. (52% 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.