Pima Community College vs. South Mountain Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Pima Community College is larger than South Mountain Community College based on total student enrollment (16,283 students vs. 4,516 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pima Community College is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); South Mountain Community College is in Phoenix, AZ (Large City setting).
• Pima Community 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: Pima Community College 18:1; South Mountain Community College 20:1.

Pima Community College vs. South Mountain Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Pima Community 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 Pima Community College than South Mountain Community College ($3,670 vs. $13,152).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Mountain Community College are 5.8% lower than at Pima Community College ($10,872 vs. $11,542).
• Pima Community College is 3.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Mountain Community College (about $84 more per year; $2,442.00 vs. $2,358.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at South Mountain Community College than at Pima Community College (about $1,200 more per year; $8,958.00 vs. $7,758.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Mountain Community College than at Pima Community College (75% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pima Community College students is 14% larger than aid received by South Mountain Community College students ($6,216 vs. $5,451).

Pima Community College vs. South Mountain Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Pima Community College or South Mountain 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 South Mountain Community College and Pima Community College.

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

Pima Community College vs. South Mountain Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Pima Community College and South Mountain 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 Pima Community College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than South Mountain Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,600 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pima Community College graduates have a $2,169 lower median loan debt than South Mountain Community College graduates ($6,750 vs. $8,919).
• Among borrowers, Pima Community College graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Mountain Community College graduates ($69 vs. $92).
• More Pima Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Mountain Community College students, three years after graduation. (33% 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.