Southwestern Community College: $5,806 Tuition

$5,806Tuition

1,304Students

54%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$34,145Earnings

#25 in North CarolinaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

About Southwestern Community College

Southwestern Community College serves the Appalachian region with a focus on career-ready programs and workforce development. The college enrolls 1,304 students in the mountains of western North Carolina. Students benefit from small class sizes with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The school has built a strong reputation for technical programs, nursing, and outdoor recreation leadership that match the region's industries and natural setting.

Students pay an average net price of $4,928 after financial aid, making this one of the most affordable pathways to higher education in North Carolina. Graduates earn a median salary of $34,145 ten years after enrollment. Students typically leave with just $10,500 in debt and monthly loan payments of $111. Nearly all students qualify for in-state tuition since 98% come from North Carolina. The employment rate reaches 90.5% for graduates.

Women make up 67% of the student body, reflecting the college's strong health sciences and education programs. About 30% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves many first-generation college students from rural Appalachian communities. The college operates on a semester system and maintains close ties to local employers who actively recruit graduates from specialized technical programs.

Academics & Faculty

Southwestern Community College serves the rural mountains of western North Carolina with career-focused programs that prepare students for local industries. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio means small classes where instructors know students by name. The college is particularly known for its healthcare programs, including nursing and medical assisting, which feed into the region's growing medical sector. Students also pursue degrees in business, criminal justice, and automotive technology. With a 53.6% graduation rate, the college provides solid support for students navigating their first college experience. Many programs include hands-on training and internships with local employers, helping graduates find work quickly in the Smoky Mountain region.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Full-Time Faculty: 18.7%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 53.6%
Median Earnings (10 years): $34,145

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$54,904
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$46,321
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services.	Associate	$33,993
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	Associate	$32,925
Computer and Information Sciences, General.	Associate	$30,771
Health and Medical Administrative Services.	Associate	$27,126
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants.	Certificate	$26,353
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Associate	$25,580
Legal Support Services.	Associate	$25,194
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Associate	$24,035

View all 58 programs →

Campus Life

Southwestern Community College sits in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, about 60 miles west of Asheville. The 1,304 students navigate a campus surrounded by peaks that turn brilliant orange and red each fall. You'll need a good winter coat here, as mountain winters bring snow and temperatures that can drop into the teens.

With 98.25% of students coming from North Carolina, this feels like a tight-knit local community. Women make up 67% of the student body, and the 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name. Most students commute from nearby mountain towns rather than living on campus. The employment rate of 90.5% reflects the college's strong ties to local healthcare systems, manufacturing, and the outdoor recreation industry that drives much of Western North Carolina's economy.

Weekends often involve hiking the nearby trails or heading to Cherokee for casino gaming. The campus buzzes with students balancing work and family responsibilities alongside their studies. Many juggle jobs at local hospitals, Cherokee Indian Hospital, or seasonal tourism businesses while earning certificates in nursing, automotive technology, or business.

Setting: Town-Distant
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1964

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 25°–48°F
July Avg: 62°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 54.2"
Annual Snowfall: 4.3"

Student Demographics

Southwestern Community College draws overwhelmingly from North Carolina, with 98% of students coming from in-state. This reflects the school's deep roots in the western North Carolina mountains, where it has served local communities since 1964. Women make up two-thirds of the student body, largely due to the college's strong nursing and healthcare programs that attract career-changers and traditional students alike. About 30% of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college fulfills its mission of providing affordable education to working-class families in this rural region.

Men: 33.0%
Women: 67.0%
White: 71.2%
Black: 2.4%
Hispanic: 9.9%
Asian: 1.0%
In-State Students: 98.3%
Pell Grant Recipients: 30.1%

Location

Sylva, North Carolina sits in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about 60 miles west of Asheville. The town of 2,600 residents serves as the county seat of Jackson County in the state's far western region. Students find themselves surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest and some of North Carolina's most dramatic mountain terrain. Nearly 98% of Southwestern's 1,304 students come from in-state, reflecting the college's deep roots in Appalachian communities. The campus sits at over 2,000 feet elevation, where outdoor recreation opportunities abound year-round. Downtown Sylva maintains a small-town mountain character with local shops and restaurants within walking distance of campus. Students considering colleges in North Carolina may also compare Southwestern Community College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Sylva, North Carolina 28779

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $34,145
Median Earnings (5 years): $39,289
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $24,500
Loan Repayment Rate: 39.0%
Monthly Loan Payment: $111/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,500

Frequently Asked Questions

How selective is Southwestern Community College?

As a community college, Southwestern Community College maintains an open enrollment policy for most programs. The school serves 1,304 students primarily from North Carolina, with 98.25% coming from in-state. This accessibility makes it a popular choice for local students seeking affordable higher education in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

What does Southwestern Community College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $4,928 after aid, making it highly affordable. In-state tuition runs $5,806 while out-of-state students pay $19,630. About 30% of students receive Pell Grants, and those from families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,445 net.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Southwestern Community College?

The college maintains an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring small class sizes typical of community colleges. This personalized attention helps support the school's focus on career training and transfer preparation. Women make up 67% of the student body, reflecting trends in community college enrollment nationwide.

What are the job prospects after Southwestern Community College?

Graduates achieve a 90.5% employment rate, demonstrating strong workforce connections in western North Carolina. Median earnings reach $34,145 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the practical, career-focused programs the college offers. The school's emphasis on healthcare, business, and trades training serves the regional economy well.

Where is Southwestern Community College located?

The college sits in Sylva, North Carolina, a small town in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This rural setting provides a close-knit campus atmosphere for the school's 1,304 students. The mountain location offers outdoor recreation opportunities while maintaining connections to regional employers and four-year universities.

How much student debt do Southwestern Community College graduates typically have?

Graduates carry a median debt of just $10,500, well below national averages for higher education. Monthly loan payments average only $111, making repayment manageable on typical graduate salaries. The low debt burden reflects both the school's affordable tuition and the practical, job-ready programs that lead to steady employment.