Head-to-head · 2026
Durham Technical Community College vs Southwestern Community College
Side-by-side ROI breakdown. 3 wins for Durham Technical Community College, 2 for Southwestern Community College — Durham Technical Community College has more metric-level advantages.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric, winner flagged
9 metrics, side by side. The colored cell wins. Green = lower-is-better wins, indigo = higher-is-better wins.
| Metric | Durham Technical Community College | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 54.30 ✓ | 16.39 |
| Avg net price | $1,664 ✓ | $5,207 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $36,142 ✓ | $34,145 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 44.9% | 53.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $14,750 | $10,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 3,890 | 1,249 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Wins | 3 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Southwestern Community College costs $3,543 more per year than Durham Technical Community College ($5,207 vs $1,664). Durham Technical Community College graduates report $1,997 higher median earnings after ten years ($36,142 vs $34,145). On EduGradify's model that puts Durham Technical Community College ahead on projected ROI (54.30 vs 16.39, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Durham Technical Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Durham Technical Community College vs Southwestern Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Durham Technical Community College or Southwestern Community College the better value?
Durham Technical Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (54.30 vs 16.39), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Durham Technical Community College is cheaper — average net price $1,664 per year vs $5,207 at Southwestern Community College. The annual difference of $3,543 adds up to about $14,172 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Durham Technical Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $36,142 vs $34,145 at Southwestern Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $1,997.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Durham Technical Community College reports a A+ value grade; Southwestern Community College reports A+.