Robeson Community College vs. Southwestern Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Robeson Community College in Lumberton, NC with Southwestern Community College in Sylva, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Robeson Community College is larger than Southwestern Community College based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 2,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Robeson Community College is located in Lumberton, NC (Distant Town setting); Southwestern Community College is in Sylva, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Robeson Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Southwestern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Robeson Community College 13:1; Southwestern Community College 10:1.

Robeson Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Robeson Community College or Southwestern 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 Robeson Community College than Southwestern Community College ($2,989 vs. $6,176).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Robeson Community College are 26.8% lower than at Southwestern Community College ($9,547 vs. $13,050).
• Southwestern Community College is 59.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Robeson Community College (about $1,531 more per year; $4,112.00 vs. $2,581.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.1% higher at Southwestern Community College than at Robeson Community College (about $4,459 more per year; $13,184.00 vs. $8,725.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Robeson Community College than at Southwestern Community College (87% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Community College students is 4.8% larger than aid received by Robeson Community College students ($10,024 vs. $9,569).

Robeson Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Robeson Community College or Southwestern 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 Southwestern Community College and Robeson Community College.

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

Robeson Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Robeson Community College and Southwestern 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 Southwestern Community College earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than Robeson Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,200 vs. $24,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Robeson Community College graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than Southwestern Community College graduates ($10,500 vs. $10,750).
• Among borrowers, Robeson Community College graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwestern Community College graduates ($108 vs. $111).
• More Southwestern Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Robeson Community College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 10%)

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.