Southwestern Community College vs. Wayne Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Wayne Community College is larger than Southwestern Community College based on total student enrollment (3,626 students vs. 2,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern Community College is located in Sylva, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Wayne Community College is in Goldsboro, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southwestern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Wayne Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern Community College 10:1; Wayne Community College 12:1.

Southwestern Community College vs. Wayne Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern Community College or Wayne 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 Wayne Community College than Southwestern Community College ($2,215 vs. $6,176).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wayne Community College are 5.4% lower than at Southwestern Community College ($12,350 vs. $13,050).
• Southwestern Community College is 60.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wayne Community College (about $1,546 more per year; $4,112.00 vs. $2,566.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.4% higher at Southwestern Community College than at Wayne Community College (about $4,474 more per year; $13,184.00 vs. $8,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Community College than at Wayne Community College (80% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Community College students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Wayne Community College students ($10,024 vs. $7,857).

Southwestern Community College vs. Wayne Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwestern Community College or Wayne 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 Wayne Community College and Southwestern Community College.

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

Southwestern Community College vs. Wayne Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwestern Community College and Wayne 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 Wayne Community College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Southwestern Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($28,800 vs. $27,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wayne Community College graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than Southwestern Community College graduates ($6,500 vs. $10,750).
• Among borrowers, Wayne Community College graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwestern Community College graduates ($67 vs. $111).
• More Southwestern Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wayne Community College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 25%)

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.