Iowa Western Community College vs. Southeastern Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa Western Community College is larger than Southeastern Community College based on total student enrollment (5,540 students vs. 3,028 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa Western Community College is located in Council Bluffs, IA (Small City setting); Southeastern Community College is in West Burlington, IA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Iowa Western 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 Western Community College 22:1; Southeastern Community College 14:1.

Iowa Western Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa Western 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 Western Community College ($9,587 vs. $13,852).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa Western Community College are 15.2% lower than at Southeastern Community College ($8,750 vs. $10,324).
• Iowa Western Community College is 7.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeastern Community College (about $510 more per year; $6,930.00 vs. $6,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.8% higher at Iowa Western Community College than at Southeastern Community College (about $510 more per year; $7,080.00 vs. $6,570.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeastern Community College than at Iowa Western Community College (74% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa Western Community College students is 12.1% larger than aid received by Southeastern Community College students ($6,524 vs. $5,822).

Iowa Western Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa Western 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 Western Community College.

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

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

How do outcomes compare for Iowa Western 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 Western 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 Western 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 Western Community College graduates ($105 vs. $124).
• More Southeastern Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa Western Community College 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.