Southwestern Community College vs. WPCC

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern Community College is larger than WPCC based on total student enrollment (2,157 students vs. 1,813 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Southwestern Community College vs. WPCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern Community College or WPCC? 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 Southwestern Community College than WPCC ($6,176 vs. $6,448).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Piedmont Community College are 28.2% lower than at Southwestern Community College ($9,370 vs. $13,050).
• Southwestern Community College is 55.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than WPCC (about $1,462 more per year; $4,112.00 vs. $2,650.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.9% higher at Southwestern Community College than at Western Piedmont Community College (about $4,390 more per year; $13,184.00 vs. $8,794.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwestern Community College than at Western Piedmont Community College (80% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Piedmont Community College students is 1.7% larger than aid received by Southwestern Community College students ($10,194 vs. $10,024).

Southwestern Community College vs. WPCC Admissions comparison

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

Southwestern Community College vs. WPCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwestern Community College and WPCC? 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 Western Piedmont Community College earn a median of about $400 more per year than Southwestern Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($27,600 vs. $27,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Piedmont Community College graduates have a $7,250 lower median loan debt than Southwestern Community College graduates ($3,500 vs. $10,750).
• Among borrowers, WPCC graduates have an estimated $75 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Southwestern Community College graduates ($36 vs. $111).
• More Southwestern Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WPCC students, three years after graduation. (36% vs. 26%)

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.