South Plains College vs. Wharton County Junior College

Comparable Facts

Compare South Plains College in Levelland, TX with Wharton County Junior College in Wharton, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Plains College is larger than Wharton County Junior College based on total student enrollment (9,098 students vs. 5,504 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• South Plains College is located in Levelland, TX (Distant Town setting); Wharton County Junior College is in Wharton, TX (Distant Town setting).
• South Plains College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Wharton County Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: South Plains College 16:1; Wharton County Junior College 16:1.

South Plains College vs. Wharton County Junior College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, South Plains College or Wharton County Junior 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 Wharton County Junior College than South Plains College ($3,754 vs. $6,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Plains College are 8.6% lower than at Wharton County Junior College ($5,481 vs. $6,000).
• South Plains College is 2.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wharton County Junior College (about $115 more per year; $4,771.00 vs. $4,656.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at Wharton County Junior College than at South Plains College (about $749 more per year; $5,904.00 vs. $5,155.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at South Plains College than at Wharton County Junior College (78% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wharton County Junior College students is 9.3% larger than aid received by South Plains College students ($7,776 vs. $7,114).

South Plains College vs. Wharton County Junior College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, South Plains College or Wharton County Junior 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 Wharton County Junior College and South Plains College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: South Plains College - Open admission; Wharton County Junior College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wharton County Junior College Aug 14, 2027.

South Plains College vs. Wharton County Junior College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for South Plains College and Wharton County Junior 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 Wharton County Junior College earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than South Plains College graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,200 vs. $39,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wharton County Junior College graduates have a $3,045 lower median loan debt than South Plains College graduates ($7,455 vs. $10,500).
• Among borrowers, Wharton County Junior College graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than South Plains College graduates ($77 vs. $108).
• More South Plains College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wharton County Junior College students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 39%)

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.