Southeastern Community College vs. Tri-County Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Southeastern Community College is larger than Tri-County Community College based on total student enrollment (1,426 students vs. 1,023 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southeastern Community College is located in Whiteville, NC (Distant Rural setting); Tri County Community College is in Murphy, NC (Remote Rural setting).
• Southeastern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Tri County Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southeastern Community College 12:1; Tri County Community College 13:1.

Southeastern Community College vs. Tri-County Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southeastern Community College or Tri-County 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 Tri County Community College than Southeastern Community College ($7,905 vs. $10,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southeastern Community College are 46% lower than at Tri County Community College ($9,450 vs. $17,488).
• Tri County Community College is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Southeastern Community College (about $36 more per year; $2,636.00 vs. $2,600.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Tri-County Community College than at Southeastern Community College (about $36 more per year; $8,780.00 vs. $8,744.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeastern Community College than at Tri County Community College (81% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tri County Community College students is 101.6% larger than aid received by Southeastern Community College students ($10,711 vs. $5,314).

Southeastern Community College vs. Tri-County Community College Admissions comparison

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

Southeastern Community College vs. Tri-County Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southeastern Community College and Tri-County 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 Southeastern Community College earn a median of about $3,400 more per year than Tri-County Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,000 vs. $23,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Tri-County Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southeastern Community College students, three years after graduation. (31% 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.