Head-to-head · 2026
Central Piedmont Community College vs Southwestern Community College
Compare average net price ($3,345 at Central Piedmont Community College; $5,207 at Southwestern Community College), ROI score (28.30 vs 16.39), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($37,865 vs $34,145), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Central Piedmont Community College; Open / not reported at Southwestern Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Central Piedmont Community College | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 28.30 ✓ | 16.39 |
| Avg net price | $3,345 ✓ | $5,207 |
| 4-year avg net price | $13,380 ✓ | $20,828 |
| In-state tuition | $2,792 | $4,112 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,936 | $13,184 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $37,865 ✓ | $34,145 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 30.9% | 53.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 69.9% | 74.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | $7,925 ✓ | $10,500 |
| Enrollment | 15,067 | 1,249 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Central Piedmont Community College | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,258 ✓ | $4,982 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,068 ✓ | $4,423 |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,725 ✓ | $6,494 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,010 | $7,592 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Central Piedmont Community College | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 36.4% | 18.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.7% | 17.8% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 6.2% | 4.3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.5% | 6.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.5% | 4.6% |
| Precision Metal Working | 3.9% | 4% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 1.9% | 5.3% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 4.4% | 2.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Central Piedmont Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,862 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,448 difference over four years ($13,380 vs $20,828).
Central Piedmont Community College reports $3,720 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($37,865 vs $34,145). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69.9% at Central Piedmont Community College and 74.7% at Southwestern Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $7,925 vs $10,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Central Piedmont Community College vs Southwestern Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Central Piedmont Community College is cheaper — average net price $3,345 per year vs $5,207 at Southwestern Community College. The annual difference of $1,862 adds up to about $7,448 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Central Piedmont Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $37,865 vs $34,145 at Southwestern Community College. The gap in the federal data is $3,720. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.