Scottsdale Community College vs Paradise Valley

Scottsdale Community College and Paradise Valley Community College, both esteemed institutions in Arizona, offer diverse educational opportunities to students seeking higher education. While they share a commitment to academic excellence, they also possess distinct characteristics that cater to different student preferences and aspirations. Scottsdale Community College boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a broader range of students, while Paradise Valley Community College maintains a more selective admissions process. In terms of popular majors, Scottsdale Community College excels in liberal arts and sciences, business, and healthcare, whereas Paradise Valley Community College specializes in engineering, technology, and public safety. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details regarding acceptance rates, graduation rates, student demographics, and popular majors, empowering you to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic goals and aspirations.

	Paradise Valley Community College	Scottsdale Community College
Overview
Location	Phoenix, Arizona	Scottsdale, Arizona
Campus setting	City: Large	Rural: Fringe
College type	2 year	2 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate	Undergraduate
Students retention rate	65.0%	67.0%
Common app member	No	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	Open Admission	Open Admission
Application fees
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants
Total number of admissions given out
Admitted students who chose to enroll
Yield rate
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	Not required	Not required
High school GPA	N/A	N/A
Recommendation letters	N/A	N/A
High school transcript	N/A	N/A
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	N/A	N/A

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $22,506 Out of state: $28,290	In state: $22,506 Out of state: $28,290
Average net price	$11,198	$12,196
Tuition	In state: $2,040 Out of state: $7,824	In state: $2,040 Out of state: $7,824
Room & board
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	67.0% Average amount $4,426	48.0% Average amount $4,529
Students receiving federal student loan	8.0% Average amount $3,585	6.0% Average amount $3,330
Students taking out private loans	0.0% Average amount $0	0.0% Average amount $16,782

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,965 Men 43.9% Women 56.1%	7,320 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%
Graduate students	N/A	N/A
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	0.9%	1.5%
International students	0.7%	0.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Rural: Fringe
Dormitory capacity	N/A	N/A
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	N/A
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Arizona	Arizona New Mexico

Academics
Popular study areas	Visual & Performing Arts Liberal Arts Business Health Professions Physical Science	Visual & Performing Arts Liberal Arts Business Health Professions Culinary and Personal Services
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	17.9%	17.3%
Dropout rate	35.9%	40.7%
Transferred out	27.4%	26.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $65,517 Year 3: $63,815 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $39,247 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $31,848 Year 3: $36,230	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $62,308 Year 2: $58,673 Year 3: $67,593 Design and Applied Arts (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $30,128 Year 2: $30,771 Year 3: $37,464 Fine and Studio Arts (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $21,781 Year 3: $31,622 Culinary Arts and Related Services (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $24,035 Year 3: $30,672 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: $26,064 Year 2: $24,035 Year 3: $29,608 Film/Video and Photographic Arts (Associate's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $28,816 Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Scottsdale Community College (SCC) and Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC)?

Scottsdale Community College (SCC) is known for its strong Native American Studies program and culinary arts offerings, while Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) excels in its Performing Arts programs and has a greater emphasis on civic engagement. Both offer a wide range of general education and transfer programs, but their specialized programs and campus cultures differ slightly.
Which college is better for students interested in culinary arts?

Scottsdale Community College (SCC) is generally considered the stronger choice for culinary arts. It has a well-established culinary program with dedicated facilities and experienced faculty.
Which college is better for students interested in performing arts (music, theater, dance)?

Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) is known for its robust Performing Arts programs. They offer a wider range of courses and performance opportunities in music, theater, and dance compared to Scottsdale Community College.
Do both colleges offer transfer programs to four-year universities?

Yes, both Scottsdale Community College (SCC) and Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) offer comprehensive transfer programs designed to help students seamlessly transition to four-year universities. They both have articulation agreements with Arizona State University (ASU), University of Arizona (UA), and Northern Arizona University (NAU), as well as many out-of-state institutions.
Which college has a stronger focus on Native American Studies?

Scottsdale Community College (SCC) has a nationally recognized Native American Studies program. It offers a variety of courses and resources dedicated to Native American culture, history, and contemporary issues.
How do the campus environments compare?

Scottsdale Community College (SCC) has a more compact and intimate campus feel. Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) has a larger campus with more green spaces and a greater emphasis on community involvement and civic engagement.
Are the tuition costs similar at SCC and PVCC?

Yes, tuition costs are generally the same at Scottsdale Community College (SCC) and Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) for in-state residents, as they are both part of the Maricopa County Community College District. Out-of-state tuition rates are also comparable.
Do both colleges offer online courses?

Yes, both Scottsdale Community College (SCC) and Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) offer a wide variety of online courses, providing flexibility for students who prefer to learn remotely.
Which college is closer to specific areas of Phoenix?

Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) is located in North Phoenix, making it more convenient for residents of North Phoenix, Paradise Valley, and surrounding areas. Scottsdale Community College (SCC) is located in Scottsdale, making it more convenient for residents of Scottsdale, Tempe, and the eastern parts of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Consider your commute when making your decision.
Do both colleges offer student support services like tutoring and advising?

Yes, both Scottsdale Community College (SCC) and Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) offer a comprehensive range of student support services, including academic advising, tutoring, career services, disability resources, and counseling services, to help students succeed.
Which college has better athletic programs?

Both Scottsdale Community College (SCC) and Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) offer athletic programs, but Scottsdale Community College (SCC) generally has a more extensive and competitive athletic program. However, the best choice depends on the specific sport you are interested in.
How do I find more specific information about programs at each college?

Visit the official websites for Scottsdale Community College (scottsdalecc.edu) and Paradise Valley Community College (paradisevalley.edu). You can also contact their admissions offices directly for personalized guidance and information about specific programs, application processes, and campus visits.

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