Southeastern Community College vs. SWCC

Comparable Facts

Compare Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, IA with Southwestern Community College in Creston, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southeastern Community College is larger than SWCC based on total student enrollment (3,028 students vs. 1,566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southeastern Community College is located in West Burlington, IA (Rural Fringe setting); Southwestern Community College is in Creston, IA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southeastern 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: Southeastern Community College 14:1; Southwestern Community College 14:1.

Southeastern Community College vs. SWCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southeastern Community College or SWCC? 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 Southwestern Community College than Southeastern Community College ($9,410 vs. $9,587).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern Community College are 13.7% lower than at Southeastern Community College ($8,910 vs. $10,324).
• Southwestern Community College is 25.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeastern Community College (about $1,644 more per year; $8,064.00 vs. $6,420.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.6% higher at SWCC than at Southeastern Community College (about $1,746 more per year; $8,316.00 vs. $6,570.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Community College than at Southeastern Community College (79% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Community College students is 21.9% larger than aid received by Southeastern Community College students ($7,099 vs. $5,822).

Southeastern Community College vs. SWCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southeastern Community College or SWCC? 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 SWCC and Southeastern Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southeastern Community College - Open admission; SWCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Southeastern Community College Mar 1, 2027.

Southeastern Community College vs. SWCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southeastern Community College and SWCC? 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 $3,000 more per year than Southeastern Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,600 vs. $30,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southeastern Community College graduates have a $1,800 lower median loan debt than SWCC graduates ($10,200 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Southeastern Community College graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWCC graduates ($105 vs. $124).
• More SWCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southeastern Community College students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 43%)

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.