Jefferson Community College vs. TC3

Comparable Facts

Compare Jefferson Community College in Watertown, NY with Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Tompkins Cortland Community College is larger than Jefferson Community College based on total student enrollment (4,958 students vs. 2,319 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Jefferson Community College is located in Watertown, NY (Remote Town setting); Tompkins Cortland Community College is in Dryden, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Jefferson Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Tompkins Cortland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Jefferson Community College 21:1; Tompkins Cortland Community College 12:1.

Jefferson Community College vs. TC3 Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Jefferson Community College or TC3? 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 Jefferson Community College than TC3 ($11,328 vs. $12,465).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tompkins Cortland Community College are 18.7% lower than at Jefferson Community College ($11,626 vs. $14,308).
• Tompkins Cortland Community College is 11.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Jefferson Community College (about $706 more per year; $6,970.00 vs. $6,264.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at TC3 than at Jefferson Community College (about $1,155 more per year; $12,855.00 vs. $11,700.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tompkins Cortland Community College than at Jefferson Community College (80% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Jefferson Community College students is 0.3% larger than aid received by Tompkins Cortland Community College students ($7,381 vs. $7,356).

Jefferson Community College vs. TC3 Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Jefferson Community College or TC3? 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 TC3 and Jefferson Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Jefferson Community College - Open admission; TC3 - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Community College Sep 6, 2026; TC3 Jul 15, 2027.

Jefferson Community College vs. TC3 Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Jefferson Community College and TC3? 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 Jefferson Community College earn a median of about $800 more per year than TC3 graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,200 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Jefferson Community College graduates have a $3,100 lower median loan debt than TC3 graduates ($9,900 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Jefferson Community College graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TC3 graduates ($102 vs. $134).
• More Jefferson Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TC3 students, three years after graduation. (45% 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.