Southwestern Community College vs. WCC

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern Community College is larger than WCC based on total student enrollment (2,157 students vs. 1,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Southwestern Community College vs. WCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern Community College or WCC? 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 Wilson Community College than Southwestern Community College ($3,594 vs. $6,176).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wilson Community College are 19.9% lower than at Southwestern Community College ($10,450 vs. $13,050).
• Southwestern Community College is 59.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCC (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 Wilson Community College (about $4,468 more per year; $13,184.00 vs. $8,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Community College than at Wilson Community College (80% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern Community College students is 40.8% larger than aid received by Wilson Community College students ($10,024 vs. $7,121).

Southwestern Community College vs. WCC Admissions comparison

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

Southwestern Community College vs. WCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwestern Community College and WCC? 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 $800 more per year than WCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,200 vs. $26,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Wilson Community College graduates have a $1,249 lower median loan debt than Southwestern Community College graduates ($9,501 vs. $10,750).
• Among borrowers, WCC graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwestern Community College graduates ($98 vs. $111).
• More Southwestern Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCC students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 33%)

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.