Southeastern Community College vs. Southwestern Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern Community College is larger than Southeastern Community College based on total student enrollment (2,157 students vs. 1,426 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southeastern Community College is located in Whiteville, NC (Distant Rural setting); Southwestern Community College is in Sylva, NC (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 12:1; Southwestern Community College 10:1.

Southeastern Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southeastern 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 Southwestern Community College than Southeastern Community College ($6,176 vs. $10,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeastern Community College are 27.6% lower than at Southwestern Community College ($9,450 vs. $13,050).
• Southwestern Community College is 58.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeastern Community College (about $1,512 more per year; $4,112.00 vs. $2,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 50.8% higher at Southwestern Community College than at Southeastern Community College (about $4,440 more per year; $13,184.00 vs. $8,744.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeastern Community College than at Southwestern Community College (81% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Community College students is 88.6% larger than aid received by Southeastern Community College students ($10,024 vs. $5,314).

Southeastern Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southeastern 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 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; Southwestern Community College - Open admission.

Southeastern Community College vs. Southwestern Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southeastern 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 $200 more per year than Southeastern Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,200 vs. $27,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southeastern Community College graduates have a $5,793 lower median loan debt than Southwestern Community College graduates ($4,957 vs. $10,750).
• Among borrowers, Southeastern Community College graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwestern Community College graduates ($51 vs. $111).
• More Southwestern Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southeastern Community College students, three years after graduation. (36% 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.