North Iowa Area Community College vs. Southeastern Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, IA with Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southeastern Community College is larger than North Iowa Area Community College based on total student enrollment (3,028 students vs. 2,662 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Iowa Area Community College is located in Mason City, IA (Remote Town setting); Southeastern Community College is in West Burlington, IA (Rural Fringe setting).
• North Iowa Area 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: North Iowa Area Community College 23:1; Southeastern Community College 14:1.

North Iowa Area Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Iowa Area 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 North Iowa Area Community College ($9,587 vs. $9,852).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Iowa Area Community College are 22.5% lower than at Southeastern Community College ($8,000 vs. $10,324).
• North Iowa Area Community College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeastern Community College (about $233 more per year; $6,653.00 vs. $6,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.4% higher at North Iowa Area Community College than at Southeastern Community College (about $2,981 more per year; $9,551.00 vs. $6,570.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Iowa Area Community College than at Southeastern Community College (86% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Iowa Area Community College students is 20.5% larger than aid received by Southeastern Community College students ($7,017 vs. $5,822).

North Iowa Area Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Admissions comparison

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

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

North Iowa Area Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Iowa Area 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 North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Southeastern Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,700 vs. $30,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Iowa Area Community College graduates have a $1,685 lower median loan debt than Southeastern Community College graduates ($8,515 vs. $10,200).
• Among borrowers, North Iowa Area Community College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southeastern Community College graduates ($88 vs. $105).
• More North Iowa Area Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southeastern Community College students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 43%)

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.