Southern State Community College: $5,687 Tuition

$5,687Tuition

751Students

26%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$35,463Earnings

Public2-yearNAIAData: 2023-24

About Southern State Community College

Southern State Community College serves 751 students in the small town of Hillsboro, where it has operated since 1975. This community college focuses on workforce preparation and transfer programs for students throughout southern Ohio. Women make up 73% of the student body, reflecting the college's strong programs in healthcare and human services. The Patriots compete in just two NAIA sports with only 16 total athletes, keeping the focus squarely on academics.

Students pay an average net price of $10,918 after financial aid, with in-state tuition at $5,687. Graduates earn a median of $35,463 ten years after leaving school, while carrying typical debt of just $11,457. The monthly loan payment averages $121, making this an affordable path to career training. Only 20.8% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many come from working-class families seeking practical skills.

The college maintains an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, allowing for personal attention in smaller classes. With a 26% six-year graduation rate, Southern State works best for students who come with clear career goals and strong motivation. The 94.7% employment rate shows that graduates who complete programs find work in their fields. Every student comes from Ohio, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

Academics & Faculty

Southern State Community College serves students pursuing two-year degrees and workforce training in rural Ohio. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to instructors in a small-town setting. However, only 26% of students complete their programs within six years, reflecting the challenges many community college students face balancing education with work and family obligations. The college focuses on practical career preparation and transfer pathways to four-year universities. With 751 students spread across various programs, class sizes remain manageable for hands-on learning. The school emphasizes affordable education for local residents, with 100% of students coming from Ohio and many seeking skills training for immediate employment in the region.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Full-Time Faculty: 46.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 26.2%
Median Earnings (10 years): $35,463

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$49,797
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$33,993
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$24,267

View all 37 programs →

Campus Life

Southern State sits in rural Hillsboro, about 60 miles southeast of Cincinnati and Dayton. The campus serves a tight-knit community of 751 students where women outnumber men nearly three to one. Ohio winters mean bundling up for January classes, while spring and fall offer pleasant weather for walking between buildings.

As a commuter school with 100% in-state enrollment, campus life revolves around weekday schedules rather than weekend activities. Students typically head home after classes since the college doesn't offer housing. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller class sizes where professors know your name. With only 16 total athletes competing in two NAIA sports, school spirit focuses more on academic programs than game days.

The surrounding Highland County area offers small-town charm but limited nightlife options. Students often drive to larger cities for entertainment or work at local businesses. The college's strong employment rate of 94.7% reflects its practical approach to career preparation, with many graduates finding work in healthcare, business, and trades within the region.

Setting: Town-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1975

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 20°–36°F
July Avg: 63°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 42.6"
Annual Snowfall: 17.8"

Student Demographics

Southern State draws almost exclusively from Ohio, serving 751 students who stay close to home in this rural community. Nearly three-quarters of students are women, reflecting the college's strong nursing and health programs that have become regional career pipelines. The student body is predominantly white at 91%, mirroring Highland County's demographics. About one in five students receives Pell Grants, indicating the college serves working-class families seeking affordable workforce training. Most students balance classes with jobs, viewing Southern State as a practical stepping stone to middle-class careers in healthcare and skilled trades.

Men: 26.6%
Women: 73.4%
White: 91.1%
Black: 2.7%
Hispanic: 1.3%
Asian: 0.3%
In-State Students: 100.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 20.8%

Location

Hillsboro sits in southern Ohio, about 50 miles east of Cincinnati and 60 miles southwest of Columbus. The town of roughly 6,600 residents serves as the Highland County seat in Ohio's Appalachian foothills region. With 751 students, Southern State draws entirely from in-state, reflecting its role as a local community college serving rural Highland County and surrounding areas. The campus sits in farm country dotted with small towns, where manufacturing and agriculture drive the economy. Rolling hills and forests characterize the landscape between Hillsboro and larger Ohio cities. Students considering colleges in Ohio may also compare Southern State Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Hillsboro, Ohio 45133-9406

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $35,463
Median Earnings (5 years): $43,442
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $25,200
Loan Repayment Rate: 29.5%
Monthly Loan Payment: $121/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $11,457

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Southern State Community College?

Southern State Community College maintains an open admissions policy typical of community colleges, serving all 751 students from within Ohio. The school draws exclusively from in-state residents and focuses on providing accessible higher education to the local Hillsboro community.

How much does Southern State Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $10,918 annually, with costs varying by family income. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay around $9,076, while those earning over $110,000 pay $15,415 after aid.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Southern State Community College?

The college maintains an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio across its programs. Southern State is known for its career-focused associate degree programs and workforce development training that serves the rural Ohio economy.

What are the graduation and employment outcomes at Southern State Community College?

The six-year graduation rate stands at 26.2%, which reflects the community college mission of serving diverse student populations including working adults. Graduates achieve a strong 94.7% employment rate with median earnings of $35,463 ten years after enrollment.

Where is Southern State Community College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Hillsboro, Ohio, a small town setting that serves the surrounding rural area. With just 16 total athletes competing in 2 NAIA sports as the Patriots, Southern State focuses more on academics and workforce preparation than traditional college athletics.

Does Southern State Community College have a diverse student body?

The student population of 751 is predominantly female at 73.4% and overwhelmingly white at 91.1%. This demographic makeup reflects the rural Ohio region the college serves, with students typically commuting from nearby communities rather than living on campus.