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$7,024Tuition
774Students
53%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$40,129Earnings
#7 in IowaPublic2-yearNCCAAData: 2023-24

Student Outcomes

Graduation Rate (6-year)
53.0%
Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
$40,129
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,975
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
16:1
Loan Repayment Rate
46.0%
Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
$116/mo

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $46,833 $12,676
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. Associate $26,353
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $20,824 $9,913

Outcomes Overview

Southwestern Community College graduates earn a median of $40,129 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $10,975. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of just 27%, well below the recommended 40% threshold. Monthly loan payments of $116 consume only 3.5% of median graduate income. The 97.9% employment rate demonstrates strong job placement success. Community college graduates typically enter healthcare support, skilled trades, and business roles that value practical training over four-year degrees. The low debt burden particularly benefits first-generation college students who make up much of the enrollment. With affordable costs and solid earning potential, this represents a strong return on investment for career-focused students.