DCC vs. Jefferson Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, NY with Jefferson Community College in Watertown, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dutchess Community College is larger than Jefferson Community College based on total student enrollment (6,606 students vs. 2,319 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dutchess Community College is located in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting); Jefferson Community College is in Watertown, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Dutchess Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Jefferson Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dutchess Community College 20:1; Jefferson Community College 21:1.

DCC vs. Jefferson Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DCC or Jefferson 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 Dutchess Community College than Jefferson Community College ($9,612 vs. $11,328).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dutchess Community College are 3.6% lower than at Jefferson Community College ($13,786 vs. $14,308).
• Jefferson Community College is 10.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than DCC (about $594 more per year; $6,264.00 vs. $5,670.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Jefferson Community College than at Dutchess Community College (about $1,030 more per year; $11,700.00 vs. $10,670.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Jefferson Community College than at Dutchess Community College (73% vs. 62%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dutchess Community College students is 2.9% larger than aid received by Jefferson Community College students ($7,595 vs. $7,381).

DCC vs. Jefferson Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DCC or Jefferson 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 Jefferson Community College and DCC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DCC - Open admission; Jefferson Community College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Jefferson Community College Sep 6, 2026.

DCC vs. Jefferson Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DCC and Jefferson 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 Dutchess Community College earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than Jefferson Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($37,400 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dutchess Community College graduates have a $400 lower median loan debt than Jefferson Community College graduates ($9,500 vs. $9,900).
• Among borrowers, DCC graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Jefferson Community College graduates ($98 vs. $102).
• More Jefferson Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DCC students, three years after graduation. (45% vs. 43%)

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.