Southwestern Community College vs. Wilkes Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Wilkes Community College is larger than Southwestern Community College based on total student enrollment (2,593 students vs. 2,157 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwestern Community College is located in Sylva, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Wilkes Community College is in Wilkesboro, NC (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southwestern Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Wilkes Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwestern Community College 10:1; Wilkes Community College 8:1.

Southwestern Community College vs. Wilkes Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern Community College or Wilkes 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 Wilkes Community College than Southwestern Community College ($658 vs. $6,176).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilkes Community College are 5.8% lower than at Southwestern Community College ($12,291 vs. $13,050).
• Southwestern Community College is 59.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wilkes Community College (about $1,540 more per year; $4,112.00 vs. $2,572.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.3% higher at Southwestern Community College than at Wilkes Community College (about $4,468 more per year; $13,184.00 vs. $8,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wilkes Community College than at Southwestern Community College (90% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Community College students is 19.7% larger than aid received by Wilkes Community College students ($10,024 vs. $8,372).

Southwestern Community College vs. Wilkes Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwestern Community College or Wilkes 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 Wilkes 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; Wilkes Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wilkes Community College Aug 12, 2027.

Southwestern Community College vs. Wilkes Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwestern Community College and Wilkes 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 $1,100 more per year than Wilkes Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,200 vs. $26,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilkes Community College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Southwestern Community College graduates ($8,250 vs. $10,750).
• Among borrowers, Wilkes Community College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwestern Community College graduates ($85 vs. $111).
• More Southwestern Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wilkes Community College students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 34%)

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.