MCC vs. South Plains College

Comparable Facts

Compare McLennan Community College in Waco, TX with South Plains College in Levelland, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Plains College is larger than MCC based on total student enrollment (9,098 students vs. 7,850 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• McLennan Community College is located in Waco, TX (Midsize City setting); South Plains College is in Levelland, TX (Distant Town setting).
• McLennan Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. South Plains College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: McLennan Community College 15:1; South Plains College 16:1.

MCC vs. South Plains College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MCC or South Plains 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 McLennan Community College than South Plains College ($4,927 vs. $6,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Plains College are 34.9% lower than at McLennan Community College ($5,481 vs. $8,424).
• South Plains College is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than MCC (about $571 more per year; $4,771.00 vs. $4,200.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.6% higher at MCC than at South Plains College (about $755 more per year; $5,910.00 vs. $5,155.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McLennan Community College than at South Plains College (82% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McLennan Community College students is 12.6% larger than aid received by South Plains College students ($8,007 vs. $7,114).

MCC vs. South Plains College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MCC or South Plains 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 South Plains College and MCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MCC - Open admission; South Plains College - Open admission.

MCC vs. South Plains College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MCC and South Plains 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 South Plains College earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than MCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $33,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, McLennan Community College graduates have a $134 lower median loan debt than South Plains College graduates ($10,366 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, MCC graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Plains College graduates ($107 vs. $108).
• More South Plains College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MCC students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 28%)

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.