Scottsdale Community College vs. South Mountain Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Scottsdale Community College is larger than South Mountain Community College based on total student enrollment (7,065 students vs. 4,516 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Scottsdale Community College is located in Scottsdale, AZ (Rural Fringe setting); South Mountain Community College is in Phoenix, AZ (Large City setting).
• Scottsdale 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: Scottsdale Community College 16:1; South Mountain Community College 20:1.

Scottsdale Community College vs. South Mountain Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Scottsdale 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 South Mountain Community College than Scottsdale Community College ($13,152 vs. $14,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) are the same at Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College ($10,872).
• Scottsdale Community 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 Scottsdale Community 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 Scottsdale Community College (75% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by South Mountain Community College students is 26% larger than aid received by Scottsdale Community College students ($5,451 vs. $4,325).

Scottsdale Community College vs. South Mountain Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Scottsdale Community 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 Scottsdale Community College.

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

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

How do outcomes compare for Scottsdale Community 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 Scottsdale Community College earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than South Mountain Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Scottsdale Community College graduates have a $1,619 lower median loan debt than South Mountain Community College graduates ($7,300 vs. $8,919).
• Among borrowers, Scottsdale Community College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Mountain Community College graduates ($75 vs. $92).
• More Scottsdale Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former South Mountain Community College students, three years after graduation. (38% 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.