Johnston Community College vs. Southwestern Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Johnston Community College in Smithfield, NC with Southwestern Community College in Sylva, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Johnston Community College is larger than Southwestern Community College based on total student enrollment (5,371 students vs. 2,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Johnston Community College is located in Smithfield, NC (Distant Town setting); Southwestern Community College is in Sylva, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Johnston Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Johnston Community College 13:1; Southwestern Community College 10:1.

Johnston Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Johnston Community College or Southwestern 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 Johnston Community College than Southwestern Community College ($3,824 vs. $6,176).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Community College are 7.6% lower than at Johnston Community College ($13,050 vs. $14,121).
• Southwestern Community College is 49.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Johnston Community College (about $1,356 more per year; $4,112.00 vs. $2,756.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.1% higher at Southwestern Community College than at Johnston Community College (about $4,284 more per year; $13,184.00 vs. $8,900.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Community College than at Johnston Community College (80% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Community College students is 45% larger than aid received by Johnston Community College students ($10,024 vs. $6,915).

Johnston Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Johnston Community College or Southwestern 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 Southwestern Community College and Johnston Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Johnston Community College - Open admission; Southwestern Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Johnston Community College Aug 13, 2027.

Johnston Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Johnston Community College and Southwestern 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 Johnston Community College earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than Southwestern Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($30,800 vs. $27,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Johnston Community College graduates have a $1,250 lower median loan debt than Southwestern Community College graduates ($9,500 vs. $10,750).
• Among borrowers, Johnston Community College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwestern Community College graduates ($98 vs. $111).
• More Southwestern Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Johnston Community College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 30%)

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.