SWCC vs. Western Iowa Tech Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwestern Community College in Creston, IA with Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Iowa Tech Community College is larger than SWCC based on total student enrollment (5,482 students vs. 1,566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern Community College is located in Creston, IA (Rural Fringe setting); Western Iowa Tech Community College is in Sioux City, IA (Small City setting).
• Southwestern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern Community College 14:1; Western Iowa Tech Community College 14:1.

SWCC vs. Western Iowa Tech Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWCC or Western Iowa Tech 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 Western Iowa Tech Community College than SWCC ($9,061 vs. $9,410).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Iowa Tech Community College are 23.7% lower than at Southwestern Community College ($6,795 vs. $8,910).
• Southwestern Community College is 55.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Iowa Tech Community College (about $2,878 more per year; $8,064.00 vs. $5,186.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56% higher at SWCC than at Western Iowa Tech Community College (about $2,986 more per year; $8,316.00 vs. $5,330.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Iowa Tech Community College than at Southwestern Community College (84% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Community College students is 17% larger than aid received by Western Iowa Tech Community College students ($7,099 vs. $6,068).

SWCC vs. Western Iowa Tech Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWCC or Western Iowa Tech 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 Western Iowa Tech Community College and SWCC.

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

SWCC vs. Western Iowa Tech Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWCC and Western Iowa Tech 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 $1,500 more per year than Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($33,600 vs. $32,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates have a $1,573 lower median loan debt than SWCC graduates ($10,427 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWCC graduates ($107 vs. $124).
• More Western Iowa Tech Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWCC students, three years after graduation. (46% vs. 45%)

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.