Tuition for Iowa residents attending Southwestern Community College rose by 3.4% in the 2022-23 school year, based on the latest figures released, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Iowa residents paid $6,784 to attend the two-year public college this year, an increase of $224 from the $6,560 charged in the 2021-22 academic year.
Non-resident students were charged 3.3% more than residents in 2022-23, paying $7,008. This represented a 3.3% increase from the $6,784 tuition for non-residents in 2021-22.
Approximately 82% of the undergraduate student body at Southwestern Community College are Iowa residents. Students from other states make up about 16%, while international students account for 2%.
Data indicates that all full-time undergraduates who began studies at Southwestern Community College in 2022-23 received some form of student financial aid. A total of 264 students were awarded grants or scholarships amounting to $1.5 million, while 123 students took out loans exceeding $665,061.
Among all undergraduates, 785 students utilized grants or scholarships totaling $3.8 million. Additionally, 372 students borrowed $2.2 million in federal student loans.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Type of Aid | Number of students awarded aid | Percent awarded aid | Total amount of aid awarded | Average amount of aid per student |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal grants | 264 | 100% | $666,952 | $2,526 |
| State / local grant or scholarship | 95 | 36% | $554,739 | $5,839 |
| Institutional grants or scholarships | 122 | 46% | $308,428 | $2,528 |
| Grant or scholarship aid total | 264 | 100% | $1.5 million | $5,796 |
| Federal student loans | 120 | 45% | $594,363 | $4,953 |
| Other student loans | 8 | 3% | $70,698 | $8,837 |
| Student loan aid | 123 | 47% | $665,061 | $5,407 |
| Total student aid | 264 | 100% | $2.2 million | $8,315 |
