TC3 vs. Suffolk County Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Tompkins Cortland Community College in Dryden, NY with Suffolk County Community College in Selden, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Suffolk County Community College is larger than TC3 based on total student enrollment (19,973 students vs. 4,958 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Tompkins Cortland Community College is located in Dryden, NY (Rural Fringe setting); Suffolk County Community College is in Selden, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Tompkins Cortland Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Suffolk County Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Tompkins Cortland Community College 12:1; Suffolk County Community College 25:1.

TC3 vs. Suffolk County Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TC3 or Suffolk 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 Suffolk County Community College than TC3 ($4,965 vs. $12,465).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Suffolk County Community College are 71% lower than at Tompkins Cortland Community College ($3,374 vs. $11,626).
• Tompkins Cortland Community College is 5.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Suffolk County Community College (about $340 more per year; $6,970.00 vs. $6,630.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.2% higher at TC3 than at Suffolk County Community College (about $395 more per year; $12,855.00 vs. $12,460.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Tompkins Cortland Community College than at Suffolk County Community College (80% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk County Community College students is 0.5% larger than aid received by Tompkins Cortland Community College students ($7,393 vs. $7,356).

TC3 vs. Suffolk County Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TC3 or Suffolk County Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Suffolk County Community College and TC3.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TC3 - Open admission; Suffolk County Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: TC3 Jul 15, 2027.

TC3 vs. Suffolk County Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TC3 and Suffolk County Community College? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Graduates from Suffolk County Community College earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than TC3 graduates about ten years after starting college ($40,900 vs. $33,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Suffolk County Community College graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than TC3 graduates ($7,500 vs. $13,000).
• Among borrowers, Suffolk County Community College graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TC3 graduates ($77 vs. $134).
• More Suffolk County Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TC3 students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 42%)

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.