Head-to-head · 2026
Rockingham Community College vs Southwestern Community College
Compare average net price ($2,060 at Rockingham Community College; $5,207 at Southwestern Community College), ROI score (39.42 vs 16.39), ten-year median earnings ($32,480 vs $34,145), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Rockingham Community College; Open / not reported at Southwestern Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The metric count is evenly split at 2-2. Rockingham Community College leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Rockingham Community College | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 39.42 ✓ | 16.39 |
| Avg net price | $2,060 ✓ | $5,207 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $32,480 | $34,145 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 35.1% | 53.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $10,500 |
| Enrollment | 1,065 | 1,249 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Southwestern Community College costs $3,147 more per year than Rockingham Community College ($5,207 vs $2,060). Southwestern Community College graduates report $1,665 higher median earnings after ten years ($34,145 vs $32,480). On EduGradify's model that puts Rockingham Community College ahead on projected ROI (39.42 vs 16.39, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Rockingham 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
Rockingham Community College vs Southwestern Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Rockingham Community College or Southwestern Community College the better value?
Rockingham Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (39.42 vs 16.39), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Rockingham Community College is cheaper — average net price $2,060 per year vs $5,207 at Southwestern Community College. The annual difference of $3,147 adds up to about $12,588 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Southwestern Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $34,145 vs $32,480 at Rockingham Community College. The annual gap in the federal data is $1,665.
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. Rockingham Community College reports a A+ value grade; Southwestern Community College reports A+.