Isothermal Community College vs. McDowell Technical Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Isothermal Community College in Spindale, NC with McDowell Technical Community College in Marion, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Isothermal Community College is larger than McDowell Technical Community College based on total student enrollment (1,918 students vs. 1,249 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Isothermal Community College is located in Spindale, NC (Distant Town setting); McDowell Technical Community College is in Marion, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Isothermal Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. McDowell Technical Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Isothermal Community College 11:1; McDowell Technical Community College 8:1.

Isothermal Community College vs. McDowell Technical Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Isothermal Community College or McDowell Technical 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 McDowell Technical Community College than Isothermal Community College ($8,024 vs. $11,495).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at McDowell Technical Community College are 39.9% lower than at Isothermal Community College ($11,943 vs. $19,885).
• McDowell Technical Community College is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Isothermal Community College (about $2 more per year; $2,032.00 vs. $2,030.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0% higher at McDowell Technical Community College than at Isothermal Community College (about $2 more per year; $6,640.00 vs. $6,638.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Isothermal Community College than at McDowell Technical Community College (92% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McDowell Technical Community College students is 51.5% larger than aid received by Isothermal Community College students ($9,220 vs. $6,086).

Isothermal Community College vs. McDowell Technical Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Isothermal Community College or McDowell Technical 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 McDowell Technical Community College and Isothermal Community College.

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

Isothermal Community College vs. McDowell Technical Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Isothermal Community College and McDowell Technical 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 Isothermal Community College earn a median of about $400 more per year than McDowell Technical Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($25,800 vs. $25,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More McDowell Technical Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Isothermal Community College students, three years after graduation. (24% vs. 10%)

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.