Head-to-head · 2026
College of the Albemarle vs Southwestern Community College
Compare average net price ($2,253 at College of the Albemarle; $5,207 at Southwestern Community College), ROI score (36.88 vs 16.39), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($33,234 vs $34,145), and admissions context (Open / not reported at College of the Albemarle; 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 | College of the Albemarle | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 36.88 ✓ | 16.39 |
| Avg net price | $2,253 ✓ | $5,207 |
| 4-year avg net price | $9,012 ✓ | $20,828 |
| In-state tuition | $2,242 | $4,112 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $7,652 | $13,184 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $33,234 | $34,145 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 34.8% | 53.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 71.6% | 74.7% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $10,500 |
| Enrollment | 2,001 | 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 | College of the Albemarle | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $398 ✓ | $4,982 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,466 ✓ | $4,423 |
| Family income $48–75k | $3,869 ✓ | $6,494 |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,216 ✓ | $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 | College of the Albemarle | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 38.2% | 18.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.8% | 17.8% |
| Precision Metal Working | 13.3% | 4% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 4% | 4.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.4% | 4.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3.2% | 3.6% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 2.3% | 4.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.9% | 2.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of the Albemarle reports the lower average net price by $2,954 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $11,816 difference over four years ($9,012 vs $20,828).
Southwestern Community College reports $911 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($34,145 vs $33,234). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.6% at College of the Albemarle and 74.7% at Southwestern Community College. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
College of the Albemarle vs Southwestern Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of the Albemarle is cheaper — average net price $2,253 per year vs $5,207 at Southwestern Community College. The annual difference of $2,954 adds up to about $11,816 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Southwestern Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $34,145 vs $33,234 at College of the Albemarle. The gap in the federal data is $911. 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.