Southwestern Community College
Sylva, NC · Public · Associate degree-granting
A public institution in Sylva, North Carolina, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, Southwestern Community College serves students across multiple degree programs. With 1,249 students, it is a small institution. Graduates earn a median of $34,145 ten years after enrollment, compared to a national median of $40,747. The graduation rate is 53.3%. On the financial side, median graduate debt is $10,500, yielding an earnings-to-debt ratio of 3.25x. The average net price after financial aid is $5,207 per year. The most popular programs include Liberal Arts & Sciences, Business Administration & Management, Legal Support Services, Allied Health Diagnostic & Treatment, and Machinist.
Key Outcomes
Median Earnings (10yr)
$34,145
Graduation Rate
53.3%
Median Debt
$10,500
Average Net Price
$5,207
Earnings-to-Cost Ratio
6.56x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio
3.25x
Admissions & Enrollment
Total Enrollment
1,249
Admission Rate
Not reported
Average SAT
Not reported
Retention Rate
74.7%
Cost
In-State Tuition
$4,112
Out-of-State Tuition
$13,184
Pell Grant Rate
36.2%
Federal Loan Rate
5.4%
Net Cost by Family Income
Income $0–$30K
$4,982
Income $30K–$48K
$4,423
Income $48K–$75K
$6,494
Student Demographics
Women
62.5%
White
73.4%
Black
1.8%
Hispanic
12.2%
Asian
0.9%
Two or More Races
4.0%
Student Loan Performance
Repayment Rate (3yr)
39.0%
Accreditations
- American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation — Dental Assisting (DA) (Accredited)
- American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education — Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) - Programs leading to an associate degree (Accredited)
- American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education — Physical Therapy (PTA) - Programs for the physical therapist assistant (Accredited)
- Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology — Radiologic Technology (RAD) - Programs for radiographers (Accredited)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges — Institutional Accreditation (Accredited)
Programs (49)
Associate (22)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts & Sciences | $41,953 | 126 |
| Business Administration & Management | $45,261 | 41 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic & Treatment | $55,008 | 39 |
| Registered Nursing | $74,987 | 25 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting | $44,951 | 20 |
| Accounting | Not reported | 20 |
| Health Services Administration | Not reported | 19 |
| Teacher Education | Not reported | 16 |
| Computer & Information Sciences | Not reported | 9 |
| Mental Health Services | Not reported | 8 |
| Outdoor Education | Not reported | 7 |
| Vehicle Maintenance & Repair | Not reported | 7 |
| Security & Protective Services | Not reported | 6 |
| Design & Applied Arts | Not reported | 6 |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | Not reported | 5 |
| Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians | Not reported | 5 |
| Machinist | Not reported | 5 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science | Not reported | 5 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Not reported | 3 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Not reported | 3 |
| Legal Support Services | Not reported | 3 |
| Criminal Justice & Corrections | Not reported | 3 |
Undergraduate Certificate (24)
| Program | Median Earnings | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | $42,252 | 103 |
| Legal Support Services | Not reported | 39 |
| Machinist | Not reported | 29 |
| Accounting | Not reported | 27 |
| Health Services Administration | Not reported | 26 |
| Teacher Education | Not reported | 23 |
| Computer & Information Sciences | Not reported | 20 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | $27,538 | 20 |
| Carpentry | Not reported | 18 |
| Design & Applied Arts | Not reported | 18 |
| Outdoor Education | Not reported | 15 |
| Security & Protective Services | Not reported | 15 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting | Not reported | 15 |
| Vehicle Maintenance & Repair | Not reported | 14 |
| Human Development & Family Studies | Not reported | 12 |
| Heating & Air Conditioning | Not reported | 12 |
| Criminal Justice & Corrections | Not reported | 11 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Not reported | 10 |
| Mental Health Services | Not reported | 10 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Not reported | 8 |
| Educational Administration | Not reported | 7 |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | Not reported | 7 |
| Practical Nursing | Not reported | 6 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic & Treatment | Not reported | 3 |
Show 3 additional programs with limited data
| Program | Level | Completers |
|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic & Optometric Support | Associate | 2 |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | Associate | 1 |
| Computer Engineering Technology | Associate | 1 |
Rankings Featuring This Institution
- Highest Earning Associate's Nursing & Health Programs in North Carolina
- Highest Earning Associate's Business Programs in North Carolina
- Highest Earning Associate's Liberal Arts Programs in North Carolina
- Highest Job Growth Associate's Criminal Justice Programs
- Lowest Debt Colleges in North Carolina
- Highest Graduation Rate Colleges in North Carolina
- Most Affordable Colleges in North Carolina
- Best ROI Colleges in North Carolina
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