Rio Salado College vs. Scottsdale Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Rio Salado College in Tempe, AZ with Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rio Salado College is larger than Scottsdale Community College based on total student enrollment (18,841 students vs. 7,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Rio Salado College is located in Tempe, AZ (Rural Fringe setting); Scottsdale Community College is in Scottsdale, AZ (Rural Fringe setting).
• Rio Salado College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Scottsdale Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Rio Salado College 31:1; Scottsdale Community College 16:1.

Rio Salado College vs. Scottsdale Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Rio Salado College or Scottsdale 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 Rio Salado College than Scottsdale Community College ($8,733 vs. $14,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rio Salado College are 11.1% lower than at Scottsdale Community College ($9,664 vs. $10,872).
• Rio Salado College and Scottsdale Community College have the same published in-state tuition ($2,358.00 vs. $2,358.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is the same at Rio Salado College as at Scottsdale Community College ($8,958.00 vs. $8,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Scottsdale Community College than at Rio Salado College (54% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rio Salado College students is 13.6% larger than aid received by Scottsdale Community College students ($4,913 vs. $4,325).

Rio Salado College vs. Scottsdale Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Rio Salado College or Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale Community College and Rio Salado College.

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

Rio Salado College vs. Scottsdale Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Rio Salado College and Scottsdale 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 Rio Salado College earn a median of about $300 more per year than Scottsdale Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,500 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Scottsdale Community College graduates have a $597 lower median loan debt than Rio Salado College graduates ($7,300 vs. $7,897).
• Among borrowers, Scottsdale Community College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rio Salado College graduates ($75 vs. $81).
• More Scottsdale Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rio Salado College students, three years after graduation. (38% vs. 19%)

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.