Northwest Iowa Community College vs. Southeastern Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, 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 Northwest Iowa Community College based on total student enrollment (3,028 students vs. 1,907 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Iowa Community College is located in Sheldon, IA (Rural Fringe setting); Southeastern Community College is in West Burlington, IA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwest Iowa 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: Northwest Iowa Community College 16:1; Southeastern Community College 14:1.

Northwest Iowa Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest Iowa 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 Northwest Iowa Community College ($9,587 vs. $14,691).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Iowa Community College are 9.8% lower than at Southeastern Community College ($9,310 vs. $10,324).
• Northwest Iowa Community College is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeastern Community College (about $930 more per year; $7,350.00 vs. $6,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at Northwest Iowa Community College than at Southeastern Community College (about $1,080 more per year; $7,650.00 vs. $6,570.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeastern Community College than at Northwest Iowa Community College (74% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southeastern Community College students is 13.8% larger than aid received by Northwest Iowa Community College students ($5,822 vs. $5,118).

Northwest Iowa Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Admissions comparison

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

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

Northwest Iowa Community College vs. Southeastern Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest Iowa 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 Northwest Iowa Community College earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Southeastern Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,800 vs. $30,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwest Iowa Community College graduates have a $200 lower median loan debt than Southeastern Community College graduates ($10,000 vs. $10,200).
• Among borrowers, Northwest Iowa Community College graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southeastern Community College graduates ($103 vs. $105).
• More Northwest Iowa Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southeastern Community College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.