Head-to-head · 2026
Elizabeth City State University vs Southwestern Community College
Compare average net price ($6,364 at Elizabeth City State University; $5,207 at Southwestern Community College), ROI score (15.72 vs 16.39), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,026 vs $34,145), and admissions context (64.2% at Elizabeth City State University; 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 | Elizabeth City State University | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.72 | 16.39 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $6,364 | $5,207 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $25,456 | $20,828 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $6,536 | $4,112 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,536 | $13,184 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,026 ✓ | $34,145 |
| Acceptance rate | 64.2% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 43.5% | 53.1% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 76.9% ✓ | 74.7% |
| Median debt | $21,463 | $10,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,975 | 1,249 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1019 | — |
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 | Elizabeth City State University | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,246 ✓ | $4,982 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,538 | $4,423 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,354 ✓ | $6,494 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,205 | $7,592 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,663 | — |
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 | Elizabeth City State University | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.9% | 17.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 9.4% | 4.6% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 12.1% | 0.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.9% | 6.5% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 2.9% | 2.3% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 2.4% | 1.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Southwestern Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,157 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,628 difference over four years ($20,828 vs $25,456).
Elizabeth City State University reports $5,881 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($40,026 vs $34,145). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.9% at Elizabeth City State University and 74.7% at Southwestern Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $21,463 vs $10,500, respectively.
6 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
Elizabeth City State University vs Southwestern Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Southwestern Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,207 per year vs $6,364 at Elizabeth City State University. The annual difference of $1,157 adds up to about $4,628 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Elizabeth City State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $40,026 vs $34,145 at Southwestern Community College. The gap in the federal data is $5,881. 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.