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$5,806Tuition
1,304Students
54%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$34,145Earnings
#25 in North CarolinaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24

Cost Details

In-State Tuition
$5,806
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,630
Average Net Price
$4,928
Students Receiving Financial Aid
30.1%
Room & Board (Off Campus)
$13,410
Books & Supplies
$1,460
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,500
Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
$111/mo
Loan Repayment Rate
39.0%
Students Taking Federal Loans
6.5%
Pell Grant Recipients
30.1%

Net Price by Family Income

Average annual net price after grants and scholarships. Source: U.S. Department of Education

Net price by family income bracket
Family Income Average Net Price
$0 – $30,000 $4,445
$30,001 – $48,000 $6,140
$48,001 – $75,000 $4,066

Cost Estimator

Family Income
Residency
Housing

Cost Overview

Families actually pay $4,928 per year at Southwestern Community College, far below the $5,806 sticker price. Low-income families (under $30K) pay just $4,445 annually, while middle-income families ($48K-$75K) get the best deal at $4,066 per year. A two-year degree costs around $9,856 total for most students.

Only 6.5% of students take federal loans, keeping debt minimal for those who do borrow. Typical graduates owe $10,500 with monthly payments of $111. That's manageable against median earnings of $34,145 within ten years of graduation. The college serves Western North Carolina's rural communities where 98% of students stay in-state. Women make up two-thirds of the student body, reflecting the college's strong nursing and education programs.

In-state students from middle-income families get the sweetest deal here, paying less than $4,100 annually while avoiding the debt burden that plagues four-year colleges.

Official Net Price Calculator

Get a personalized cost estimate from Southwestern Community College:

Visit Official Net Price Calculator

This links to the school's federally-required net price calculator for a personalized estimate.