Surry Community College vs. Tri-County Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Surry Community College is larger than Tri-County Community College based on total student enrollment (2,796 students vs. 1,023 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Surry Community College is located in Dobson, NC (Distant Rural setting); Tri County Community College is in Murphy, NC (Remote Rural setting).
• Surry 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: Surry Community College 14:1; Tri County Community College 13:1.

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

Which college is more expensive, Surry 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 Surry Community College than Tri-County Community College ($7,020 vs. $7,905).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Surry Community College are 26.9% lower than at Tri County Community College ($12,780 vs. $17,488).
• Surry Community College is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tri-County Community College (about $32 more per year; $2,668.00 vs. $2,636.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Surry Community College than at Tri County Community College (about $32 more per year; $8,812.00 vs. $8,780.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Surry Community College than at Tri County Community College (80% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Tri County Community College students is 54.5% larger than aid received by Surry Community College students ($10,711 vs. $6,931).

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

Which college is harder to get into, Surry 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 Surry Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Surry Community College - Open admission; Tri-County Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Surry Community College Aug 2, 2027.

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

How do outcomes compare for Surry 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 Surry Community College earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Tri-County Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($29,700 vs. $23,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• More Surry Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tri-County Community College students, three years after graduation. (42% vs. 31%)

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.