Southwestern Community College

  • Southwestern Community College exists in order that Area XIV community members have the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge sufficient for successful employment, higher education achievement, or adult and continuing education.

School Highlights

Southwestern Community College serves 1,542 students (39% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 9:1 is lower than the state community college average of 12:1.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black and Asian), which is more than the state average of 97%.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 1,542 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,800
  • Out-state tuition: $5,010
  • Student:teacher ratio: 9:1
  • Minority enrollment: 98%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Overview

The teacher population of 180 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Southwestern Community College
(IA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Private not-for-profit
Total Faculty
180 staff
274 staff
This chart displays total faculty of Southwestern Community College and community college average number of faculty in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.

Student Body

The student population of Southwestern Community College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 9:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The Southwestern Community College diversity score of 0.27 is less than the state average of 0.50. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
1,542 students
1,302 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Southwestern Community College and community college average number of enrollment of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
12:1
This chart displays the student staff ratio of Southwestern Community College and community college average student staff ratio of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Students
607 students
148 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Southwestern Community College and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
935 students
1,154 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Southwestern Community College and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Southwestern Community College.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Iowa.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
106 students
210 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
607 students
148 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Southwestern Community College and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
29 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
935 students
1,216 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
403 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
221 students
400 students
This chart displays the dormitory capacity of Southwestern Community College and the community college average dormitory capacity of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan students in Southwestern Community College and the percentage of American Indian/Alaskan community college students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Asian
4%
7%
This chart displays the percentage of Asian students in Southwestern Community College and the percentage of Asian community college students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hispanic
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Hispanic students in Southwestern Community College and the percentage of Hispanic community college students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Black
5%
8%
This chart displays the percentage of Black students in Southwestern Community College and the percentage of Black community college students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% White
2%
3%
This chart displays the percentage of White students in Southwestern Community College and the percentage of White community college students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Hawaiian
85%
69%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in Southwestern Community College and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Two or more races
1%
9%
This chart displays the percentage of Two or more races students in Southwestern Community College and the percentage of Two or more races community college students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Non Resident races
n/a
n/a
This chart displays the percentage of Non Resident students in Southwestern Community College and the percentage of Non Resident community college students in Iowa by year, with the latest 2020-21 school year data.
% Unknown races
2%
1%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Southwestern Community College.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Iowa.
Diversity Score
0.27
0.50
This chart displays the diversity score of Southwestern Community College and the community college average diversity score of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.4731%
0.5%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Southwestern Community College and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.3116%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,100
$33,600
This chart displays average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Southwestern Community College and community college average graduate earnings (10 Years) of Iowa by year, disaggregated by student subgroups with the latest 2012-13 school year data.

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

The public in-state tuition of $4,800 is more than the state average of $4,331. The in-state tuition has declined by 18% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $5,010 is more than the state average of $4,920. The out-state tuition has declined by 18% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,800
$4,331
This chart displays tuition fees for an in-state student of Southwestern Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an in-state student of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Out-State Tuition Fees
$5,010
$4,920
This chart displays tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Southwestern Community College and the public community college average tuition fees for an out-of-state student of Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
87%
93%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Southwestern Community College and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$10,000
$11,250
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Southwestern Community College and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Southwestern Community College and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Iowa by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
72%
ACT Composite
n/a
22
ACT English
n/a
22
ACT Math
n/a
21
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

School Notes

  • Within Arts & Sciences, you can earn the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree or the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. The A.A. degree is primarily a general education degree intended for transfer to a four-year institution. The A.S. degree is designed for students preparing to enter the job market, but may also transfer to a four-year institution. The objective of the Vocational/Technical programs is to provide instruction of a preparatory type in the development of basic skills, safety, technical knowledge, and related information for the purpose of preparing persons for employment. Student Support Service program offers academic support, counseling services and cultural enrichment activities to students who are first generation in college, low-income or have a disability. The focus of Educational Talent Search (ETS) is to encourage and assist students to reach their academic and personal goals by helping them stay in school, enroll in a post-secondary school of their choice or help them complete the GED.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Southwestern Community College cost?
Southwestern Community College's tuition is approximately $4,800 for In-State students and $5,010 for Out-State students.

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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Enrollment: 1,542 students
  • In-state tuition: $4,800
  • Out-state tuition: $5,010
  • Student:teacher ratio: 9:1
  • Minority enrollment: 98%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Did You Know?

For Iowa public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,331 per year for in-state students and $4,920 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $17,086 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

Iowa community colleges have a diversity score of 0.50, which is lower than the national average of 0.75. The most diverse community college in Iowa is Purdue University Global-Des Moines. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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