Phoenix College vs. South Mountain Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Phoenix College in Phoenix, AZ with South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Phoenix College is larger than South Mountain Community College based on total student enrollment (10,660 students vs. 4,516 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Phoenix College is located in Phoenix, AZ (Large City setting); South Mountain Community College is in Phoenix, AZ (Large City setting).
• Phoenix College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. South Mountain Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Phoenix College 16:1; South Mountain Community College 20:1.

Phoenix College vs. South Mountain Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Phoenix College or South Mountain 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 Phoenix College than South Mountain Community College ($12,661 vs. $13,152).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Phoenix College and South Mountain Community College ($10,872).
• Phoenix College and South Mountain Community College have the same published in-state tuition ($2,358.00 vs. $2,358.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is the same at Phoenix College as at South Mountain Community College ($8,958.00 vs. $8,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Mountain Community College than at Phoenix College (75% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Phoenix College students is 6.3% larger than aid received by South Mountain Community College students ($5,796 vs. $5,451).

Phoenix College vs. South Mountain Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Phoenix College or South Mountain Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between South Mountain Community College and Phoenix College.

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

Phoenix College vs. South Mountain Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Phoenix College and South Mountain Community College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from Phoenix College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than South Mountain Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,800 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, South Mountain Community College graduates have a $780 lower median loan debt than Phoenix College graduates ($8,919 vs. $9,699).
• Among borrowers, South Mountain Community College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Phoenix College graduates ($92 vs. $100).
• More Phoenix College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Mountain Community College students, three years after graduation. (24% vs. 21%)

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.